I grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, which involved eating Skyline chili, being a diehard Bengals fan, and visiting Kings Island (a local amusement park) every summer.

My grandmother used to tell the story of a turtle we saw attempting to cross a road when I was about 9 years old. I cried until my grandpa turned the car around so I could get out and carry that old turtle across the road. However, the direct event that led me to vet school in my early 20s was the stray, very sick kitten I found and smuggled into my parent's house for several days without anyone knowing. I took him to a veterinary clinic and the vet let me go into the treatment area, where I saw a world that intrigued me like nothing I had ever encountered. I decided right then and there to be a veterinarian. I enrolled in college a few weeks later and never looked back.

I attended the University of Cincinnati, where I graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in biology. I then went on to The Ohio State University and graduated magna cum laude with a doctorate in veterinary medicine.

I worked in general small animal medicine for many years. I particularly enjoyed dermatology, endocrinology, nutrition, and all aspects of feline medicine. One huge perk of being a vet has been the ability to provide good lives for stray pets that I (or a coworker) would find. We cleaned them up, treated their medical conditions, and rehomed them.

When my heart dog developed violent behaviors and attempts to correct the problem with medication and behavior modification failed, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize my boy. I know it was the right decision, but it was tragic. That experience helped me understand and empathize with people facing similar situations. I love affording families peaceful final memories of their beloved pets.

When I’m not working, I enjoy hiking in the mountains, running in neighborhood parks, and volunteering at my child's school. My favorite holiday is Halloween, and I decorate my entire house and yard with huge animatronics, spider webs, and strobe lights.

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