Growing up in a family of medical professionals in Southern California, I gravitated toward the biological sciences and had a deep fondness for my animal companions. Whether I was feeding garter snakes, rescuing baby squirrels, raising chickens, or playing with my pet guinea pigs, cats, boxers, or horses, I spent much of my childhood surrounded by animals. Caring for—and losing—my first horse, Grizzly Bear, helped me realize that veterinary medicine was my purpose in life.

I received my bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and attended the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada, which was the newest veterinary college in North America at that time. My four years there brought me several lifelong friends and experiences from the frozen north which I will never forget.

After graduating with my veterinary degree, I was fortunate to work with a veterinarian I had known and loved since I was a child. I was thrilled to become his associate, and I enjoyed working with him and making close connections with my pet patients and their families for 15 years.

I learned a lot about senior caregiving when I put my career on pause to care for my aging parents and their health issues. While being a caregiver is challenging work, it is done with so much love, and I am grateful that my parents and I shared that experience.

As our pets age, we often must navigate similar territory, battling their health conditions, supporting their slowing bodies, and making difficult end-of-life decisions to relieve their suffering.

When the opportunity came to join Lap of Love, I knew that I wanted to use my veterinary skills to support pets and people during a challenging time. It’s never easy saying goodbye to a pet, but I feel honored to be able to provide comfort to others with my experience, understanding, and respect for the circle of life.

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