Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Julie Berman
I am a native of Long Island and I have lived and practiced in Connecticut since my graduation from Tufts Veterinary School. I have put my heart and soul into my veterinary “family practice” for many years, and I have found that the incredible bond between pets and their people is the most meaningful aspect of my job as a general practitioner. Supporting pets and their families from their very first vet visit all the way through to their end of life has been a great privilege. The trust and bond between pets and their owners is a magical aspect of healing. I am very sensitive to the stress many pets (and pet parents) have coming to the vet’s office with new faces, smells and other animals, and sometimes unavoidable unpleasant experiences. Creating a low stress, positive, reassuring experience for my patients and their people has always been a high priority for me in practice.
It has been an honor for me on many occasions over the years to be present in the homes of families to facilitate a peaceful, dignified passing for their pets. With today’s advanced standards of care in veterinary medicine there is often a contrast between what we can do and what we should do for our patients. I joined Lap of Love to help provide a caring, compassionate option for pets and their families.
I live on a small farm with horses, a donkey, a dog, a cat, various chickens and my husband who loves all of the animals as much as I do. In my spare time, I love to garden and grow food, ride on local trails, travel and play music in a community orchestra and fiddle club. I have 2 adult children, one of whom also went to Tufts Veterinary school and is an equine practitioner.
About Dr. Tracy Johnson
I'm an Air Force brat, which means that my family moved around a lot. As an adult, I now appreciate those experiences because they taught me how to adapt to new people and environments. I currently live in Bethany, Connecticut, where my husband grew up, and we have been here for 22 years—quite the contrast to my childhood moves.
As a child, I was always rescuing animals of all kinds, and I knew I wanted to work with animals—I was going to either be a zoo keeper or work with dolphins. That dream changed to working with cats and dogs when I went to veterinary school, but one day working at a big zoo would be a childhood dream come true!
I completed my undergraduate studies and attended veterinary school at Texas A&M—Gig'Em!
I’ve enjoyed working in small practices where I can get to know my clients and their pets personally. Building that bond is important for practicing good medicine and helping my patients lead their best lives. Of course, it's also nice to have some days where you get to play with puppies and kittens!
Unfortunately, we have lost many pets over the years, and I have learned that having them home in their comfortable environment makes saying goodbye a little easier. We never want to say goodbye, but it means a lot to know that a pet has passed peacefully.
End-of-life decisions can be difficult, and I feel fortunate to be able to help families know when it’s the right time so they can feel good about the choices they’ve made. Through my work with Lap of Love I can help families say goodbye to their pet the way they want to—peacefully in their own home.
Outside of work you can find me at the gym powerlifting or going for a walk. I also like photography, especially macro and nature pictures, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.
About Dr. Hilary Scher
I grew up in the quaint little town of Suffern just north of New York City and always knew that becoming a veterinarian was my calling in life. As a child, I would bring my pets to the vet with my mother, and our veterinarian would let me watch him draw blood and administer vaccines to my pets. He showed the utmost care to all of my childhood pets and inspired me to one day do the same. When I was 13 years old, I participated in a pet therapy program for the elderly, which only further proved that veterinary medicine was the path I wanted to follow.
I completed my bachelor’s degree in animal science at SUNY Cobleskill in New York and attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies, where I received my DVM.
Working in general practice, I have developed a passion and appreciation for wellness and end-of-life care, which allows me to care for my pet patients throughout their life. I enjoy helping families understand what is happening during their pet’s appointment and why the recommended treatments are crucial to their pet's wellbeing. When I became a veterinarian, I took an oath to be an advocate for animals, but I believe that caring for the people who love them is equally important.
One way I can care for pets and people is by providing a peaceful end-of-life experience for pets in the comfort of their home. I have lost several pets in my life and the euthanasia process was easier for some of those pets than others. The veterinarian performing the euthanasia made all the difference. I remember how incredibly kind, sympathetic, and compassionate the veterinarian was who provided end-of-life care for my dog Hope, and I feel fortunate to be able to be there for families in similar situations, to ensure their pet passes with dignity and peace. I want to be my pet patients’ guardian angel, not just a stranger performing the procedure.
Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy reading, horseback riding, walking my dogs, and spending time at home with my husband, Aaron, and our not-so-small furry and finned family of four cats, two dogs, and three goldfish. I also enjoy visiting with friends, and crafting.
About Dr. Julie Berman
I am a native of Long Island and I have lived and practiced in Connecticut since my graduation from Tufts Veterinary School. I have put my heart and soul into my veterinary “family practice” for many years, and I have found that the incredible bond between pets and their people is the most meaningful aspect of my job as a general practitioner. Supporting pets and their families from their very first vet visit all the way through to their end of life has been a great privilege. The trust and bond between pets and their owners is a magical aspect of healing. I am very sensitive to the stress many pets (and pet parents) have coming to the vet’s office with new faces, smells and other animals, and sometimes unavoidable unpleasant experiences. Creating a low stress, positive, reassuring experience for my patients and their people has always been a high priority for me in practice.
It has been an honor for me on many occasions over the years to be present in the homes of families to facilitate a peaceful, dignified passing for their pets. With today’s advanced standards of care in veterinary medicine there is often a contrast between what we can do and what we should do for our patients. I joined Lap of Love to help provide a caring, compassionate option for pets and their families.
I live on a small farm with horses, a donkey, a dog, a cat, various chickens and my husband who loves all of the animals as much as I do. In my spare time, I love to garden and grow food, ride on local trails, travel and play music in a community orchestra and fiddle club. I have 2 adult children, one of whom also went to Tufts Veterinary school and is an equine practitioner.
About Dr. Tracy Johnson
I'm an Air Force brat, which means that my family moved around a lot. As an adult, I now appreciate those experiences because they taught me how to adapt to new people and environments. I currently live in Bethany, Connecticut, where my husband grew up, and we have been here for 22 years—quite the contrast to my childhood moves.
As a child, I was always rescuing animals of all kinds, and I knew I wanted to work with animals—I was going to either be a zoo keeper or work with dolphins. That dream changed to working with cats and dogs when I went to veterinary school, but one day working at a big zoo would be a childhood dream come true!
I completed my undergraduate studies and attended veterinary school at Texas A&M—Gig'Em!
I’ve enjoyed working in small practices where I can get to know my clients and their pets personally. Building that bond is important for practicing good medicine and helping my patients lead their best lives. Of course, it's also nice to have some days where you get to play with puppies and kittens!
Unfortunately, we have lost many pets over the years, and I have learned that having them home in their comfortable environment makes saying goodbye a little easier. We never want to say goodbye, but it means a lot to know that a pet has passed peacefully.
End-of-life decisions can be difficult, and I feel fortunate to be able to help families know when it’s the right time so they can feel good about the choices they’ve made. Through my work with Lap of Love I can help families say goodbye to their pet the way they want to—peacefully in their own home.
Outside of work you can find me at the gym powerlifting or going for a walk. I also like photography, especially macro and nature pictures, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.
About Dr. Hilary Scher
I grew up in the quaint little town of Suffern just north of New York City and always knew that becoming a veterinarian was my calling in life. As a child, I would bring my pets to the vet with my mother, and our veterinarian would let me watch him draw blood and administer vaccines to my pets. He showed the utmost care to all of my childhood pets and inspired me to one day do the same. When I was 13 years old, I participated in a pet therapy program for the elderly, which only further proved that veterinary medicine was the path I wanted to follow.
I completed my bachelor’s degree in animal science at SUNY Cobleskill in New York and attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies, where I received my DVM.
Working in general practice, I have developed a passion and appreciation for wellness and end-of-life care, which allows me to care for my pet patients throughout their life. I enjoy helping families understand what is happening during their pet’s appointment and why the recommended treatments are crucial to their pet's wellbeing. When I became a veterinarian, I took an oath to be an advocate for animals, but I believe that caring for the people who love them is equally important.
One way I can care for pets and people is by providing a peaceful end-of-life experience for pets in the comfort of their home. I have lost several pets in my life and the euthanasia process was easier for some of those pets than others. The veterinarian performing the euthanasia made all the difference. I remember how incredibly kind, sympathetic, and compassionate the veterinarian was who provided end-of-life care for my dog Hope, and I feel fortunate to be able to be there for families in similar situations, to ensure their pet passes with dignity and peace. I want to be my pet patients’ guardian angel, not just a stranger performing the procedure.
Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy reading, horseback riding, walking my dogs, and spending time at home with my husband, Aaron, and our not-so-small furry and finned family of four cats, two dogs, and three goldfish. I also enjoy visiting with friends, and crafting.
About Dr. Julie Berman
I am a native of Long Island and I have lived and practiced in Connecticut since my graduation from Tufts Veterinary School. I have put my heart and soul into my veterinary “family practice” for many years, and I have found that the incredible bond between pets and their people is the most meaningful aspect of my job as a general practitioner. Supporting pets and their families from their very first vet visit all the way through to their end of life has been a great privilege. The trust and bond between pets and their owners is a magical aspect of healing. I am very sensitive to the stress many pets (and pet parents) have coming to the vet’s office with new faces, smells and other animals, and sometimes unavoidable unpleasant experiences. Creating a low stress, positive, reassuring experience for my patients and their people has always been a high priority for me in practice.
It has been an honor for me on many occasions over the years to be present in the homes of families to facilitate a peaceful, dignified passing for their pets. With today’s advanced standards of care in veterinary medicine there is often a contrast between what we can do and what we should do for our patients. I joined Lap of Love to help provide a caring, compassionate option for pets and their families.
I live on a small farm with horses, a donkey, a dog, a cat, various chickens and my husband who loves all of the animals as much as I do. In my spare time, I love to garden and grow food, ride on local trails, travel and play music in a community orchestra and fiddle club. I have 2 adult children, one of whom also went to Tufts Veterinary school and is an equine practitioner.