I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, and spent much of my summers in Northern Michigan. I love Michigan for its variety of seasons, outdoor activities, and kind people.

When I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian, but my focus shifted during my teen and early adult years. Only after college, while I served with the Peace Corps in Papua New Guinea, did my passion for helping animals return.

I attended college in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at Michigan Technological University, and veterinary school at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island.

I've always been drawn to helping shelter animals and was fortunate to join the field of shelter medicine in its infancy. In 2008, I was the third veterinarian in the world to complete residency training in this newly emerging specialty. Several years later, I became board-certified in shelter medicine. I have primarily practiced in non-profit animal shelters that provide services to the public, especially for underserved pet owners.

As a shelter veterinarian, I was often tasked with making difficult end-of-life decisions for animals who couldn’t be placed in homes. This, along with the passing of my own beloved pets, helps me empathize with pet parents facing this heart-wrenching decision. I recognize the uncertainty and guilt associated with choosing euthanasia, and that pet parents need reassurance and compassion. They need to know that humane euthanasia, provided in the pet’s home and surrounded by family, is a gift and a selfless act of love. As a Lap of Love veterinarian, I want to ensure that every pet and pet parent has access to a gentle and loving goodbye.

In my free time, I enjoy music, singing, and almost any kind of dancing. You can often find me on—or in— the water or in the garden. If the weather isn’t ideal, I’m probably organizing. I love using a label maker and creating spreadsheets!

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