Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

I am the daughter of two educators from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and I recently returned to my home state after living in Maryland and Massachusetts for over 30 years. As a child, I grew to love animals with visits to my grandparents' farm in eastern North Carolina and doting on my own family pets, which included beagles, and a Chihuahua mix named Midget. At 8 years old, I took responsibility for nursing Midget back to health after he was severely injured through six months of veterinary care and physical therapy. That experience inspired me to become a veterinarian. 

I attended North Carolina State University for my undergraduate and veterinary degrees. After graduating from the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, I pursued a laboratory animal medicine specialty. For most of my career, I focused on minimizing or eliminating the pain, distress, and discomfort of the animals in my care. In 2025, I received the Nathan R. Brewer Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine for my contributions to animals and science over the course of my career. Working at the intersection of animal and human health was extremely rewarding. 

My expertise in managing quality of life for lab animals now translates to the pet world. Through Lap of Love, I help pet owners appreciate the special responsibility of knowing when to say goodbye to a pet family member. As veterinarians, we pledge to prevent and relieve animal suffering in the most humane ways possible, and it's essential that we provide the resources and support pet owners need during this critical time.

Outside work, I spend time with my pets, Luigi and Remy. I love the outdoors, including taking nature walks, gardening, and caring for my lawn. Nothing is better than a day at the beach, and Martha's Vineyard is my happy place. I practice mindfulness and meditation daily and am currently studying Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), including acupuncture, herbals, and food therapy.