Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

I am a native Floridian hailing from the Tampa Bay area. I have wanted to become a veterinarian since I was 4 years old, a dream that grew from an innate love of animals and science and an instilled desire to help others, courtesy of my parents.

I attended Auburn University for my undergraduate and veterinary degrees (War Eagle!). Since graduating, I’ve worked primarily in small animal general practice, with short stints in emergency and urgent care. Being a veterinarian fills my cup in many ways—I love helping others, educating pet owners, meeting new people, and developing client relationships. In my book, any personal connection with pet owners constitutes a good day.

Helping pets and families through the end-of-life period is another passion of mine. People say, "I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I could never put animals to sleep." But I see it differently. I see it as a privilege and responsibility to end suffering peacefully with a pet’s family by their side. I never want a client to have a bad experience saying goodbye to their pet, and I take great satisfaction in knowing I am bringing them peace in a difficult time.

My work with Lap of Love is a true calling for which I believe I was destined. Growing up as the daughter of a preacher, watching others lose loved ones, and losing close family members myself meant grief became a simple fact of life. My past experiences with loss make me grateful that I am able to help families choose when and how to say goodbye to their pets.

My experiences losing pets have also shaped my ability to provide compassionate end-of-life care. I’ve said goodbye to pets who were very sick and others for whom the answer was not so clear. Each family’s choice depends on many variables and circumstances that are often out of their control. I want to guide families through the process so they can feel at peace with their decisions.

Outside of work, I volunteer and advocate for my children’s schools and am active in my church. I love water and snow skiing, watching movies and Broadway shows, and playing the piano. In the future, I hope to learn Spanish and American Sign Language and learn how to play the drums.