Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Emily Nietrzeba
I grew up in a surprisingly normal neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada with a wonderful family and numerous pets, including dogs, hamsters, geckos, and frogs. I also enjoyed Western pleasure riding.
All of my passions and hobbies relate to animals. I have always been particularly interested in biology and research, which led me on a circuitous route to practicing veterinary medicine.
I received a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Then I went to the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, where I completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health in epidemiology and infectious disease. I then attended UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and completed my veterinary degree in 2014.
I enjoy infectious disease prevention, preventive medicine, soft tissue surgery, and end-of-life care, and I have worked in small and mixed animal private practice. I was also the equine section lead for the California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Branch, where I specialized in disease outbreak prevention and emergency response. I especially enjoyed working with and teaching veterinary students during this time.
I learned firsthand how important our pets’ final moments are when I lost my heart dog of over 15 years. Some of the most poignant and rewarding conversations and reflections come from end-of-life discussions. I hope to provide a loving last connection and celebration of life for families saying goodbye to a beloved pet or companion.
In my free time, I love riding my Warmblood mare, listening to or reading books, doing Zumba, and hiking with my dogs.
About Dr. Taro Cuetara
I was born in Flemington, New Jersey, but moved to Berkeley, California at the age of 3. My brother and I lived with my single mother, which was tough at times. However, those previous hard times have allowed me to better appreciate my accomplishments and the amazing life my family and I have built. My interest in veterinary medicine developed from a love of animals at a young age, and later in life from a love for science, especially biology and physiology.
I earned a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1992, and then attended the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. I graduated in 1997 and earned the University Medal award for graduating at the top of my class with a 3.97 GPA!
I enjoy general practice and emergency medicine, and particularly soft tissue surgery. During the first half of my career, I was able to offer in-home euthanasia to my most special clients and favorite patients. This was always a very rewarding experience and made the bond with those clients—who became more like family—stronger than I ever experienced. Those early experiences with in-home euthanasia led me to join the Lap of Love family.
When I was a young child, my family lost our beloved white German shepherd, Champagne, to a major illness. This was devastating for all of us, but seeing how my mom needed many years of mourning and recovery before she was ready for another dog showed me how deep the human-animal bond can be. I have been able to perform in-home euthanasia for many family pets with my wife and three children laying with, holding, or cuddling our pets. This has helped them understand that what we were doing was the best, most loving, and most compassionate thing that we could possibly do for each of those furry family members. I hope to help many other families let their furry family members pass at home in a peaceful and comfortable manner.
Outside of work, I love traveling, camping, gold mining, playing the guitar—self-taught during the pandemic—reading, listening to true crime podcasts, riding ATVs, and being a die-hard 49ers fan!
About Dr. Sam Counts
I was born in San Diego, California but I moved to Massachusetts when I was 8 years old. Having family on both coasts gave me the best of both worlds—New England’s culture and history, and California’s beautiful weather. From a young age, and after countless trips to the San Diego Zoo with my grandfather, I knew I wanted to live a life of service to animals.
I attended college at the University of Massachusetts Boston, majoring in biology and simultaneously working at a local veterinary hospital. I moved to Davis, California shortly after graduation and established residency while working at another veterinary office. I graduated from UC Davis veterinary school in 2020. I began working in general practice, and discovered a love for animal behavior, the human-animal bond, and hospice care. I solidified my calling to end-of-life care by transitioning to solely veterinary hospice medicine in 2022. I am passionate about honoring the love we share with our furry family members, and take great pride in working in this aspect of the veterinary profession.
About Dr. Heather Breeze
I grew up in Denair, California, where there are more cows than people! I always knew I wanted to work with animals, but wasn't sure in what capacity until I had an internship with a dog shelter and surgery center in Santa Barbara. There, I fell in love with medicine and knew exactly what I wanted to do.
I went to undergrad at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I then joined Teach For America and taught 9th grade science in Boston. The course I took on preparing families for euthanasia was one of my favorites. After that, I went to veterinary school at UC Davis. I really enjoy being able to take time to educate and comfort owners. Having been a teacher, I think one of the best ways we can help our patients is by helping their owners to understand exactly why we're doing what we're doing and what may come next. I've been able to do this to the best of my ability in general practice, and now in end-of-life care. Helping families and providing comfort to patients and clients make this a rewarding career.
My childhood dog, CJ, was euthanized at our home by a wonderfully caring vet on Easter. We were amazed that she was willing to come out on a holiday and impressed by her compassion. I hope to emulate that experience for other pet families. I'm also on borrowed time with my heart dog, Coconut, and I hope that I can bring a bit of comfort to other pets in the same way that I want to ensure my own dog's comfort during his final moments.
A pet’s last moments are forever seared into the memories of their remaining family members. If I can help make those final moments a little more serene, I'll know I've done a good day’s work. Additionally, helping pets cross the rainbow bridge in the comfort of their own home and without fear is one of the most honorable services I could provide.
Outside of work, I like to hike, read great books, watch good movies, and sleep in! I also enjoy cooking—and eating out—and exploring hidden gems around town.
About Dr. Catherine Cowles
I grew up in the Oakland Hills of the San Francisco Bay Area. From an early age, I was enchanted by all animals, whether they were furry, scaly, or feathered. We always had cats, but I was finally allowed to have a pet of my own when I turned 7. I still remember choosing a sleek grey mouse. Squeaky taught me many things, but the most lasting lessons were that the loss of even the tiniest life leaves a huge void and that how you say goodbye matters. Squeaky got a funeral under the apple tree with a hand-made headstone. She may have been gone, but she still felt close.
I can’t remember a time when I did not think about becoming a veterinarian. My dad says I once cupped my pet hamster in my two little hands and said “I just have to know what’s inside him.” That need to know carried me through my undergraduate years at the University of California, Davis, where I got a job milking dairy goats, volunteered on ranch calls with a country vet, and worked as a veterinary assistant at a busy emergency clinic. I continued working part-time at that hospital through veterinary school, which I also completed at UC Davis.
After graduation, I worked at a practice with the perfect blend of loyal clients, dedicated staff, and amazing mentors. In my twenty-five years there, I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses. I realized that listening is the most important skill a veterinarian can master.
While I like surgery, medicine, and emergency care, I most enjoy making personal connections and figuring out how to meet each pet’s unique needs. Maintaining optimal quality of life requires creativity, compassion, and cooperation. When the time comes to say goodbye, being able to choose when, where, and how you spend your final moments together makes a heartbreaking moment manageable. I am gratified to be able to help families navigate the choices and challenges of this life stage.
When I’m not working, you might find me tending my garden, working on my bird photography, walking at the lake, knitting, reading, cooking, or spending time with my family. No matter what I’m doing, my dog Zero (a rescue mix) and my cat Fedora (a stray who chose us) are usually nearby.
About Dr. Emily Nietrzeba
I grew up in a surprisingly normal neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada with a wonderful family and numerous pets, including dogs, hamsters, geckos, and frogs. I also enjoyed Western pleasure riding.
All of my passions and hobbies relate to animals. I have always been particularly interested in biology and research, which led me on a circuitous route to practicing veterinary medicine.
I received a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Then I went to the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, where I completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health in epidemiology and infectious disease. I then attended UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and completed my veterinary degree in 2014.
I enjoy infectious disease prevention, preventive medicine, soft tissue surgery, and end-of-life care, and I have worked in small and mixed animal private practice. I was also the equine section lead for the California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Branch, where I specialized in disease outbreak prevention and emergency response. I especially enjoyed working with and teaching veterinary students during this time.
I learned firsthand how important our pets’ final moments are when I lost my heart dog of over 15 years. Some of the most poignant and rewarding conversations and reflections come from end-of-life discussions. I hope to provide a loving last connection and celebration of life for families saying goodbye to a beloved pet or companion.
In my free time, I love riding my Warmblood mare, listening to or reading books, doing Zumba, and hiking with my dogs.
About Dr. Taro Cuetara
I was born in Flemington, New Jersey, but moved to Berkeley, California at the age of 3. My brother and I lived with my single mother, which was tough at times. However, those previous hard times have allowed me to better appreciate my accomplishments and the amazing life my family and I have built. My interest in veterinary medicine developed from a love of animals at a young age, and later in life from a love for science, especially biology and physiology.
I earned a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1992, and then attended the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. I graduated in 1997 and earned the University Medal award for graduating at the top of my class with a 3.97 GPA!
I enjoy general practice and emergency medicine, and particularly soft tissue surgery. During the first half of my career, I was able to offer in-home euthanasia to my most special clients and favorite patients. This was always a very rewarding experience and made the bond with those clients—who became more like family—stronger than I ever experienced. Those early experiences with in-home euthanasia led me to join the Lap of Love family.
When I was a young child, my family lost our beloved white German shepherd, Champagne, to a major illness. This was devastating for all of us, but seeing how my mom needed many years of mourning and recovery before she was ready for another dog showed me how deep the human-animal bond can be. I have been able to perform in-home euthanasia for many family pets with my wife and three children laying with, holding, or cuddling our pets. This has helped them understand that what we were doing was the best, most loving, and most compassionate thing that we could possibly do for each of those furry family members. I hope to help many other families let their furry family members pass at home in a peaceful and comfortable manner.
Outside of work, I love traveling, camping, gold mining, playing the guitar—self-taught during the pandemic—reading, listening to true crime podcasts, riding ATVs, and being a die-hard 49ers fan!
About Dr. Sam Counts
I was born in San Diego, California but I moved to Massachusetts when I was 8 years old. Having family on both coasts gave me the best of both worlds—New England’s culture and history, and California’s beautiful weather. From a young age, and after countless trips to the San Diego Zoo with my grandfather, I knew I wanted to live a life of service to animals.
I attended college at the University of Massachusetts Boston, majoring in biology and simultaneously working at a local veterinary hospital. I moved to Davis, California shortly after graduation and established residency while working at another veterinary office. I graduated from UC Davis veterinary school in 2020. I began working in general practice, and discovered a love for animal behavior, the human-animal bond, and hospice care. I solidified my calling to end-of-life care by transitioning to solely veterinary hospice medicine in 2022. I am passionate about honoring the love we share with our furry family members, and take great pride in working in this aspect of the veterinary profession.
About Dr. Heather Breeze
I grew up in Denair, California, where there are more cows than people! I always knew I wanted to work with animals, but wasn't sure in what capacity until I had an internship with a dog shelter and surgery center in Santa Barbara. There, I fell in love with medicine and knew exactly what I wanted to do.
I went to undergrad at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I then joined Teach For America and taught 9th grade science in Boston. The course I took on preparing families for euthanasia was one of my favorites. After that, I went to veterinary school at UC Davis. I really enjoy being able to take time to educate and comfort owners. Having been a teacher, I think one of the best ways we can help our patients is by helping their owners to understand exactly why we're doing what we're doing and what may come next. I've been able to do this to the best of my ability in general practice, and now in end-of-life care. Helping families and providing comfort to patients and clients make this a rewarding career.
My childhood dog, CJ, was euthanized at our home by a wonderfully caring vet on Easter. We were amazed that she was willing to come out on a holiday and impressed by her compassion. I hope to emulate that experience for other pet families. I'm also on borrowed time with my heart dog, Coconut, and I hope that I can bring a bit of comfort to other pets in the same way that I want to ensure my own dog's comfort during his final moments.
A pet’s last moments are forever seared into the memories of their remaining family members. If I can help make those final moments a little more serene, I'll know I've done a good day’s work. Additionally, helping pets cross the rainbow bridge in the comfort of their own home and without fear is one of the most honorable services I could provide.
Outside of work, I like to hike, read great books, watch good movies, and sleep in! I also enjoy cooking—and eating out—and exploring hidden gems around town.
About Dr. Catherine Cowles
I grew up in the Oakland Hills of the San Francisco Bay Area. From an early age, I was enchanted by all animals, whether they were furry, scaly, or feathered. We always had cats, but I was finally allowed to have a pet of my own when I turned 7. I still remember choosing a sleek grey mouse. Squeaky taught me many things, but the most lasting lessons were that the loss of even the tiniest life leaves a huge void and that how you say goodbye matters. Squeaky got a funeral under the apple tree with a hand-made headstone. She may have been gone, but she still felt close.
I can’t remember a time when I did not think about becoming a veterinarian. My dad says I once cupped my pet hamster in my two little hands and said “I just have to know what’s inside him.” That need to know carried me through my undergraduate years at the University of California, Davis, where I got a job milking dairy goats, volunteered on ranch calls with a country vet, and worked as a veterinary assistant at a busy emergency clinic. I continued working part-time at that hospital through veterinary school, which I also completed at UC Davis.
After graduation, I worked at a practice with the perfect blend of loyal clients, dedicated staff, and amazing mentors. In my twenty-five years there, I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses. I realized that listening is the most important skill a veterinarian can master.
While I like surgery, medicine, and emergency care, I most enjoy making personal connections and figuring out how to meet each pet’s unique needs. Maintaining optimal quality of life requires creativity, compassion, and cooperation. When the time comes to say goodbye, being able to choose when, where, and how you spend your final moments together makes a heartbreaking moment manageable. I am gratified to be able to help families navigate the choices and challenges of this life stage.
When I’m not working, you might find me tending my garden, working on my bird photography, walking at the lake, knitting, reading, cooking, or spending time with my family. No matter what I’m doing, my dog Zero (a rescue mix) and my cat Fedora (a stray who chose us) are usually nearby.
About Dr. Emily Nietrzeba
I grew up in a surprisingly normal neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada with a wonderful family and numerous pets, including dogs, hamsters, geckos, and frogs. I also enjoyed Western pleasure riding.
All of my passions and hobbies relate to animals. I have always been particularly interested in biology and research, which led me on a circuitous route to practicing veterinary medicine.
I received a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Then I went to the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, where I completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health in epidemiology and infectious disease. I then attended UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and completed my veterinary degree in 2014.
I enjoy infectious disease prevention, preventive medicine, soft tissue surgery, and end-of-life care, and I have worked in small and mixed animal private practice. I was also the equine section lead for the California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Branch, where I specialized in disease outbreak prevention and emergency response. I especially enjoyed working with and teaching veterinary students during this time.
I learned firsthand how important our pets’ final moments are when I lost my heart dog of over 15 years. Some of the most poignant and rewarding conversations and reflections come from end-of-life discussions. I hope to provide a loving last connection and celebration of life for families saying goodbye to a beloved pet or companion.
In my free time, I love riding my Warmblood mare, listening to or reading books, doing Zumba, and hiking with my dogs.