I grew up in Tehachapi, California, which is a small town in the southernmost part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since I was a bit of a nerd and excelled in the sciences, and I grew up on a small ranch with horses, cattle, sheep, and the German shepherds my family bred, veterinary medicine seemed a natural choice. I majored in pre-veterinary animal science at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and then went to veterinary school at Kansas State University.

I practiced for 16 years in a semi-rural small animal general practice. I particularly enjoyed working up complicated cases to diagnose a pet’s underlying problem and creating a successful treatment plan. Sometimes this meant euthanasia, and I took pride in being able to have difficult conversations with families about their pet’s quality of life and helping them make decisions about end-of-life care.

Growing up on a ranch, I've experienced the loss of many animals. However, the passing of my family’s last German shepherd, Hondo, was the most significant. After a rapid decline, it became apparent that it was time to let him go. Hondo always became anxious at the vet, but loved car rides, so we asked our family veterinarian (with whom I would later work for 16 years) to euthanize him in the back of the family van. We were grateful that Hondo's last moments were spent in a place he felt comfortable.

At a relatively young age, I experienced the loss of both parents. In both situations, hospice care eased their passing. The compassionate medical professionals and staff made the horrific experiences slightly easier, and I try to emulate that for my patients and their families. Euthanasia is an emotionally charged and exhausting experience for families, and guiding families through that experience is incredibly fulfilling.

When I am not working, I love spending time with my two dogs and kitty, whether cuddling on the couch, playing in the pool, or hiking the local mountains. I also enjoy working on DIY projects for my mid-century modern home, and hosting friends and family with good food, drinks, and fun.

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