In-Home Pet Euthanasia in San Diego & Surrounding Areas

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.

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.

I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where the weather ranges from freezing cold winters to hot, humid summers. My dad worked at the Boys Town farm, and I would accompany him to help care for the animals—mainly cows, goats, pigs, and sheep. We took in several farm animals and other pets, including cats, rabbits, chickens, and a turtle. I learned to respect their unique personalities and the different approaches needed to interact with them, taking great pride in ensuring their health. Unknowingly, I experienced veterinary care as an art long before I learned it as a science. Although I enjoyed playing in the snow as a child, I decided as an adult that life would be easier without winter. So, my best friend and I moved to California when I was 21. 

I graduated from UCLA  with a Bachelor of Science in anthropology and earned my veterinary degree from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. An anthropology degree may not seem typical for someone entering the veterinary field, but it confirmed my belief that humans have more in common with animals than we’d like to admit. I spent the first eight years after veterinary school in general practice, where I enjoyed building personal connections with clients and their pets to tailor my medical approach to their individual needs. 

When I was a child, I accompanied my mom when it was time to euthanize our cat, Miss Kitty, who was suffering from kidney failure. Although I didn’t grasp all the details, it was clear the vet understood how important this was for us and Miss Kitty. I admired her compassionate and respectful approach to such a pivotal moment in our life, and she set an example for me of how a veterinarian can and should provide personal yet professional end-of-life care. When I speak with pet owners, I often learn that their most enduring memory is the way their pet passed and the role their veterinarian played. I see it as a privilege to provide a peaceful, dignified, and personal goodbye to a beloved pet, helping transform a difficult experience into a comforting memory.

Outside of veterinary medicine, I have played guitar and bass for the past 30 years. Prior to veterinary school, I played lead guitar in a heavy metal band in Los Angeles, and I enjoy recording covers of my favorite songs. I’m an avid visitor to the San Diego Zoo, thanks to my wife, a veterinary specialist there. We also like to relax at home with our dog, Einstein; two cats, Jiji and Miso; and chinchilla, Momo.