Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Heather Loveland
I grew up in Buffalo, New York—Go Bills!—and I still miss the snow. I have always loved animals and during the Blizzard of 1977, when I was 14 years old, I found a 145-pound Saint Bernard wandering the streets. I took him home, located his owner, and felt so good being of service and reuniting him with his owner. I was inspired by that experience and eager to continue serving animals. I began volunteering at a cat clinic and never looked back.
After high school, I completed veterinary technician school in Delhi, New York, and worked as a technician for several years before deciding to attend veterinary school. I graduated from Cornell and Ross University respectively, received my veterinary degree, and began working as a veterinarian at a small animal practice.
I have never truly “worked” a day in this field, and that is why I love it. I love kitties, and their tiny kitten teeth, pugs and their adorable curly tails, and “orange boy” cats and their friendly personalities. Of course, there is more to being a veterinarian than the abundance of cute animals, although that is quite a perk. I also enjoy teaching new technicians and vet school grads, doing surgery, and even performing euthanasia to relieve a pet’s suffering.
Losing a pet is always heartbreaking. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to euthanize my own pets at home, which gave the rest of my family a chance to say goodbye and made the process more peaceful for everyone.
Providing at-home, end-of-life care for pets and their families is a gift I feel honored to use, and I am grateful that my Lap of Love role allows me to comfort and support others by creating a quiet and compassionate space to say goodbye to a beloved furry family member.
When I am not working, I enjoy gardening, attending sporting events, reading, watching movies, and taking my three pugs to the beach.
About Dr. Brian Jochems
Growing up in a suburban town outside of Kansas City, Missouri, I immediately connected with the natural world around me, and particularly with the fellow creatures we inhabit it with. My first pet was a dachshund named Lucky, and although our family soon experienced an influx of dachshunds, Lucky definitely played a large role in my path towards veterinary medicine.
I spent 8 formative years at the University of Missouri, in which triathlon racing, sand volleyball, exotic and zoo animal care, and global travel all found a way to transition into my life, but the heart and soul of my time at the University centered around veterinary medicine. It was during these years that I also faced the loss of my beloved Lucky, and that I came to appreciate the impact our pets have on our life. I’ve been fortunate to share life’s journey with a variety of other animal companions over the years, and each of them has had their own special and unique impact on who I am today.
Following graduation, I moved to San Diego, California, and started work in both general and emergency veterinary practices. Amidst the sunshine, beaches, hiking, and quality time I get to spend with my own personal cat, I enjoyed the opportunity to serve many pets and help continue to keep them happy and healthy. I also quickly realized that some of the most impactful moments I get to share with a pet and their family is during the end of life process. It was this realization that led me to Lap of Love.
Our animal companions consistently offer us unconditional love and undivided attention, no matter what obstacles or challenges we face in our life. Honoring that dedication and special bond with an equally impactful end of life experience is what I strive to offer through our services here at Lap of Love. While I may never fully comprehend how much your pet has meant to you, I promise you that I will do my all to ensure their final moments with you are ones that you can cherish forever.
About Dr. Heather Loveland
I grew up in Buffalo, New York—Go Bills!—and I still miss the snow. I have always loved animals and during the Blizzard of 1977, when I was 14 years old, I found a 145-pound Saint Bernard wandering the streets. I took him home, located his owner, and felt so good being of service and reuniting him with his owner. I was inspired by that experience and eager to continue serving animals. I began volunteering at a cat clinic and never looked back.
After high school, I completed veterinary technician school in Delhi, New York, and worked as a technician for several years before deciding to attend veterinary school. I graduated from Cornell and Ross University respectively, received my veterinary degree, and began working as a veterinarian at a small animal practice.
I have never truly “worked” a day in this field, and that is why I love it. I love kitties, and their tiny kitten teeth, pugs and their adorable curly tails, and “orange boy” cats and their friendly personalities. Of course, there is more to being a veterinarian than the abundance of cute animals, although that is quite a perk. I also enjoy teaching new technicians and vet school grads, doing surgery, and even performing euthanasia to relieve a pet’s suffering.
Losing a pet is always heartbreaking. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to euthanize my own pets at home, which gave the rest of my family a chance to say goodbye and made the process more peaceful for everyone.
Providing at-home, end-of-life care for pets and their families is a gift I feel honored to use, and I am grateful that my Lap of Love role allows me to comfort and support others by creating a quiet and compassionate space to say goodbye to a beloved furry family member.
When I am not working, I enjoy gardening, attending sporting events, reading, watching movies, and taking my three pugs to the beach.
About Dr. Brian Jochems
Growing up in a suburban town outside of Kansas City, Missouri, I immediately connected with the natural world around me, and particularly with the fellow creatures we inhabit it with. My first pet was a dachshund named Lucky, and although our family soon experienced an influx of dachshunds, Lucky definitely played a large role in my path towards veterinary medicine.
I spent 8 formative years at the University of Missouri, in which triathlon racing, sand volleyball, exotic and zoo animal care, and global travel all found a way to transition into my life, but the heart and soul of my time at the University centered around veterinary medicine. It was during these years that I also faced the loss of my beloved Lucky, and that I came to appreciate the impact our pets have on our life. I’ve been fortunate to share life’s journey with a variety of other animal companions over the years, and each of them has had their own special and unique impact on who I am today.
Following graduation, I moved to San Diego, California, and started work in both general and emergency veterinary practices. Amidst the sunshine, beaches, hiking, and quality time I get to spend with my own personal cat, I enjoyed the opportunity to serve many pets and help continue to keep them happy and healthy. I also quickly realized that some of the most impactful moments I get to share with a pet and their family is during the end of life process. It was this realization that led me to Lap of Love.
Our animal companions consistently offer us unconditional love and undivided attention, no matter what obstacles or challenges we face in our life. Honoring that dedication and special bond with an equally impactful end of life experience is what I strive to offer through our services here at Lap of Love. While I may never fully comprehend how much your pet has meant to you, I promise you that I will do my all to ensure their final moments with you are ones that you can cherish forever.
About Dr. Heather Loveland
I grew up in Buffalo, New York—Go Bills!—and I still miss the snow. I have always loved animals and during the Blizzard of 1977, when I was 14 years old, I found a 145-pound Saint Bernard wandering the streets. I took him home, located his owner, and felt so good being of service and reuniting him with his owner. I was inspired by that experience and eager to continue serving animals. I began volunteering at a cat clinic and never looked back.
After high school, I completed veterinary technician school in Delhi, New York, and worked as a technician for several years before deciding to attend veterinary school. I graduated from Cornell and Ross University respectively, received my veterinary degree, and began working as a veterinarian at a small animal practice.
I have never truly “worked” a day in this field, and that is why I love it. I love kitties, and their tiny kitten teeth, pugs and their adorable curly tails, and “orange boy” cats and their friendly personalities. Of course, there is more to being a veterinarian than the abundance of cute animals, although that is quite a perk. I also enjoy teaching new technicians and vet school grads, doing surgery, and even performing euthanasia to relieve a pet’s suffering.
Losing a pet is always heartbreaking. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to euthanize my own pets at home, which gave the rest of my family a chance to say goodbye and made the process more peaceful for everyone.
Providing at-home, end-of-life care for pets and their families is a gift I feel honored to use, and I am grateful that my Lap of Love role allows me to comfort and support others by creating a quiet and compassionate space to say goodbye to a beloved furry family member.
When I am not working, I enjoy gardening, attending sporting events, reading, watching movies, and taking my three pugs to the beach.