Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Jessica Dewar
One of my first childhood memories is of my parents giving away our family dog when I was about 2 years old. I felt profound sadness as my friend was led away by a stranger. It would take another 30 years for me to realize that my relationship with animals had led to a deeper understanding of the power of the human-animal bond.
As I grew, I nurtured my love of animals and wanted to understand their instinctive behaviors, so I studied biology and ecology in college. During my junior year, I realized that I wanted to help and heal animals, so I went on to become a veterinarian.
As a graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, I had the privilege of a hands-on education in the multi-faceted world of veterinary medicine while raising my two family dogs on my own. When my dogs reached 14 and 17 years of age, I realized that I was not prepared for or informed about the changes pets go through in their final stages of life. The experience forever changed my perspective, and I sought out ways in practice to provide this information and comfort to my clients so they were as prepared as possible for their own pet’s transition.
Thanks to my journey, I am committed to ensuring that aging pets receive the dignity, comfort, and individualized attention they need during their final phase of life. It is my goal to help families navigate this journey in a warm, informative, and peaceful way as their pet’s caregivers. Love comes in many forms, and sometimes the hardest decision is the greatest act of love we can offer. When the time comes, I am honored to help pets and their families get through that difficult time together.
About Dr. Erica Lohrey
I grew up in Federal Way, Washington, which is about 30 minutes south of Seattle. Although I love the green landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, California's sunny skies called to me. From the time I was born, there were always cats in our home. We later added a bird, fish, and a dog. These early connections ignited in me a passion for animals, and led me to want a career in veterinary medicine. For a 5th grade art project about my future career, I drew a picture of myself taking care of an elephant's foot. Although I have yet to care for an elephant, I did help care for grizzly bears and a baby tiger during veterinary school!
After earning my undergraduate degree in biology, with a minor in psychology, from Stanford University, I went to Washington State University for veterinary school. Following graduation, I worked at a small animal general practice. I enjoy preventive care and helping owners learn how to care for their pets. Building relationships with pet owners, and supporting them when they need guidance is my favorite part of being a veterinarian. I especially enjoy seeing the human-animal bond in action everyday.
The decision to say goodbye to my childhood dog was difficult. But, in the end, I knew euthanasia was the compassionate choice because her quality of life had declined to an unacceptable point. Letting her go gently was honoring the life she had lived. Making end-of-life decisions can make pet owners doubt their judgement, so being there as a kind and knowledgeable guide feels like the best way I can make the process less stressful.
Outside of veterinary medicine, I love hiking, cooking, and taking trips to the beach.
Pronouns: She/HerAbout Dr. Dominique Croteau
I was born in Clear Lake City, a community in Southeast Houston, Texas built around NASA and the burgeoning space industry. My best friend growing up was Dagny, our English Bulldog. She was my partner in crime and confidante, taught me to wrestle and play tug-of-war, and encouraged me to avoid the sweltering summer heat by lying in the shade of our backyard tree. Her death was the first time I understood that the love we feel for our pets far exceeds their lifespan.
I never would have guessed that my next companion would be a cat. However, when I saw the little black ball of fur with bright, green eyes in the “Free kittens” box, my life became inextricably linked with hers. Eleanor lived with me in Houston throughout high school, and in California during undergraduate school at the University of California, Berkeley and veterinary school at UC Davis.
As a vet student, I volunteered with the Pet Loss Support Hotline, providing counseling for people who had lost a pet or had a pet with a terminal illness. When Eleanor died from complications of diabetes, the lessons learned and resources available through the hotline were invaluable in helping me work through the loss.
While at UC Davis, I was also part of a program that provided training for shelter dogs and matched them with forever homes. I knew Medea was ours as soon as I brought home the sweet, brown-eyed foster and my husband asked, “What are we naming her?” When Medea was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer, and it was time to say goodbye, I was incredibly grateful for the ability to euthanize her in the comfort of our home, snuggled on her bed, surrounded by those she loved and was loved by in return.
Since graduating and returning to the Bay Area to raise our family, I’ve worked at multiple small animal veterinary clinics and a local animal shelter providing wellness care for pets of veterans. My focus has always been to connect with clients, communicate effectively, and provide quality care. As a veterinarian with Lap of Love, I hope to offer compassionate care to other families as they make end-of-life decisions for their own beloved pets.
About Dr. Lauren Quirino
I grew up in Pinole, California with my brother and parents, who ran an online business selling swords. When I was a senior in high school and looking for a job outside the family business, my mom suggested that I apply at our vet’s office, and to my surprise, I was offered a vet assistant position. After six months of cleaning kennels, but also observing the vets diagnosing and treating sick pets, I was hooked and wanted to know more.
I went to Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, and then transferred to the University of California, Davis, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in animal sciences. I went to vet school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies, and completed my clinical year at Oklahoma State University. I arrived and left in winter, which was a huge contrast to the Caribbean! After graduating, I started my first job as a veterinarian in Concord, where I still live.
Preventive care is my favorite part of veterinary medicine because I love educating owners about how they can best care for their pets. Animals enhance our lives, and I enjoy being able to help them live long, healthy lives. Although I’ve worked with dogs and cats for many years, my heart still soars every time I see one.
I have lost many pets over the years. In some cases, I waited too long before deciding to euthanize my own pet, and I regret that. I try to keep that in mind when assessing my pets and clients’ pets. It’s difficult, but I enjoy helping families make the best decision for their pets. Although every time is hard, the joy and love leading up to that point makes it all worthwhile.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, and daughter, and we can often be found at the park with our dog, Mitzi. When the kids are asleep, we enjoy watching movies or TV shows. I also like crocheting, sewing, and organizing our monthly adult game night.
About Dr. Jessica Dewar
One of my first childhood memories is of my parents giving away our family dog when I was about 2 years old. I felt profound sadness as my friend was led away by a stranger. It would take another 30 years for me to realize that my relationship with animals had led to a deeper understanding of the power of the human-animal bond.
As I grew, I nurtured my love of animals and wanted to understand their instinctive behaviors, so I studied biology and ecology in college. During my junior year, I realized that I wanted to help and heal animals, so I went on to become a veterinarian.
As a graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, I had the privilege of a hands-on education in the multi-faceted world of veterinary medicine while raising my two family dogs on my own. When my dogs reached 14 and 17 years of age, I realized that I was not prepared for or informed about the changes pets go through in their final stages of life. The experience forever changed my perspective, and I sought out ways in practice to provide this information and comfort to my clients so they were as prepared as possible for their own pet’s transition.
Thanks to my journey, I am committed to ensuring that aging pets receive the dignity, comfort, and individualized attention they need during their final phase of life. It is my goal to help families navigate this journey in a warm, informative, and peaceful way as their pet’s caregivers. Love comes in many forms, and sometimes the hardest decision is the greatest act of love we can offer. When the time comes, I am honored to help pets and their families get through that difficult time together.
About Dr. Erica Lohrey
I grew up in Federal Way, Washington, which is about 30 minutes south of Seattle. Although I love the green landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, California's sunny skies called to me. From the time I was born, there were always cats in our home. We later added a bird, fish, and a dog. These early connections ignited in me a passion for animals, and led me to want a career in veterinary medicine. For a 5th grade art project about my future career, I drew a picture of myself taking care of an elephant's foot. Although I have yet to care for an elephant, I did help care for grizzly bears and a baby tiger during veterinary school!
After earning my undergraduate degree in biology, with a minor in psychology, from Stanford University, I went to Washington State University for veterinary school. Following graduation, I worked at a small animal general practice. I enjoy preventive care and helping owners learn how to care for their pets. Building relationships with pet owners, and supporting them when they need guidance is my favorite part of being a veterinarian. I especially enjoy seeing the human-animal bond in action everyday.
The decision to say goodbye to my childhood dog was difficult. But, in the end, I knew euthanasia was the compassionate choice because her quality of life had declined to an unacceptable point. Letting her go gently was honoring the life she had lived. Making end-of-life decisions can make pet owners doubt their judgement, so being there as a kind and knowledgeable guide feels like the best way I can make the process less stressful.
Outside of veterinary medicine, I love hiking, cooking, and taking trips to the beach.
Pronouns: She/HerAbout Dr. Dominique Croteau
I was born in Clear Lake City, a community in Southeast Houston, Texas built around NASA and the burgeoning space industry. My best friend growing up was Dagny, our English Bulldog. She was my partner in crime and confidante, taught me to wrestle and play tug-of-war, and encouraged me to avoid the sweltering summer heat by lying in the shade of our backyard tree. Her death was the first time I understood that the love we feel for our pets far exceeds their lifespan.
I never would have guessed that my next companion would be a cat. However, when I saw the little black ball of fur with bright, green eyes in the “Free kittens” box, my life became inextricably linked with hers. Eleanor lived with me in Houston throughout high school, and in California during undergraduate school at the University of California, Berkeley and veterinary school at UC Davis.
As a vet student, I volunteered with the Pet Loss Support Hotline, providing counseling for people who had lost a pet or had a pet with a terminal illness. When Eleanor died from complications of diabetes, the lessons learned and resources available through the hotline were invaluable in helping me work through the loss.
While at UC Davis, I was also part of a program that provided training for shelter dogs and matched them with forever homes. I knew Medea was ours as soon as I brought home the sweet, brown-eyed foster and my husband asked, “What are we naming her?” When Medea was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer, and it was time to say goodbye, I was incredibly grateful for the ability to euthanize her in the comfort of our home, snuggled on her bed, surrounded by those she loved and was loved by in return.
Since graduating and returning to the Bay Area to raise our family, I’ve worked at multiple small animal veterinary clinics and a local animal shelter providing wellness care for pets of veterans. My focus has always been to connect with clients, communicate effectively, and provide quality care. As a veterinarian with Lap of Love, I hope to offer compassionate care to other families as they make end-of-life decisions for their own beloved pets.
About Dr. Lauren Quirino
I grew up in Pinole, California with my brother and parents, who ran an online business selling swords. When I was a senior in high school and looking for a job outside the family business, my mom suggested that I apply at our vet’s office, and to my surprise, I was offered a vet assistant position. After six months of cleaning kennels, but also observing the vets diagnosing and treating sick pets, I was hooked and wanted to know more.
I went to Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, and then transferred to the University of California, Davis, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in animal sciences. I went to vet school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies, and completed my clinical year at Oklahoma State University. I arrived and left in winter, which was a huge contrast to the Caribbean! After graduating, I started my first job as a veterinarian in Concord, where I still live.
Preventive care is my favorite part of veterinary medicine because I love educating owners about how they can best care for their pets. Animals enhance our lives, and I enjoy being able to help them live long, healthy lives. Although I’ve worked with dogs and cats for many years, my heart still soars every time I see one.
I have lost many pets over the years. In some cases, I waited too long before deciding to euthanize my own pet, and I regret that. I try to keep that in mind when assessing my pets and clients’ pets. It’s difficult, but I enjoy helping families make the best decision for their pets. Although every time is hard, the joy and love leading up to that point makes it all worthwhile.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, and daughter, and we can often be found at the park with our dog, Mitzi. When the kids are asleep, we enjoy watching movies or TV shows. I also like crocheting, sewing, and organizing our monthly adult game night.
About Dr. Jessica Dewar
One of my first childhood memories is of my parents giving away our family dog when I was about 2 years old. I felt profound sadness as my friend was led away by a stranger. It would take another 30 years for me to realize that my relationship with animals had led to a deeper understanding of the power of the human-animal bond.
As I grew, I nurtured my love of animals and wanted to understand their instinctive behaviors, so I studied biology and ecology in college. During my junior year, I realized that I wanted to help and heal animals, so I went on to become a veterinarian.
As a graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, I had the privilege of a hands-on education in the multi-faceted world of veterinary medicine while raising my two family dogs on my own. When my dogs reached 14 and 17 years of age, I realized that I was not prepared for or informed about the changes pets go through in their final stages of life. The experience forever changed my perspective, and I sought out ways in practice to provide this information and comfort to my clients so they were as prepared as possible for their own pet’s transition.
Thanks to my journey, I am committed to ensuring that aging pets receive the dignity, comfort, and individualized attention they need during their final phase of life. It is my goal to help families navigate this journey in a warm, informative, and peaceful way as their pet’s caregivers. Love comes in many forms, and sometimes the hardest decision is the greatest act of love we can offer. When the time comes, I am honored to help pets and their families get through that difficult time together.