In-Home Pet Euthanasia in The District & surrounding Maryland area

For as long as I can remember, animals have always been one of my most favorite things in life, and they still are to this day. After growing up in South Florida and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, I spent my 20’s going to college, working, and moving around the country until finally settling in Northern Virginia. Along the way, I have enjoyed the company of a wide variety of pets and have grown to greatly appreciate the strength and depth of the human-animal bond.

Following graduation from the Michigan State University - College of Veterinary Medicine, I enjoyed working in a private animal hospital in Northern Virginia, where, in addition to the rewarding practice of general medicine, I found it very fulfilling to help families navigate their way through the difficult time faced when a furry loved one is nearing the end of life. Having been there myself, I know it can be a huge struggle to know when and how to say goodbye. I was first drawn to Lap of Love because it seemed a great idea to put more emphasis on hospice and end of life care for pets, a specialty that had not existed in veterinary medicine previously. The extremely high-quality care and devotion that exists at Lap of Love is what led me to join their team. It is an honor to help families through these difficult times, and to help a beloved pet transition with peacefulness, caring and respect.

When enjoying free time, I can usually be found relaxing with my husband and two teenagers, doing needlework, reading, dining out, or caring for my menagerie, which currently consists of 4 dogs (2 Collies, a Cavalier, and a Rat-Chi), 4 angora rabbits, 1 mini-lop rabbit, and a feisty parrot.

My father was a diplomat, so we moved around a lot. We represented Israel, though I was born in Ottawa, Canada. I spent my childhood living in Canada, England, Israel and the Washington DC/Maryland area. At 5 years old I declared that I wanted to be a vet as I have always loved animals and the special bond we share with them. 

Upon graduation from high school, I served in the Israeli Army. I then completed my undergraduate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received my Veterinary degree from the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine. During my undergraduate studies, I spent time working at the Jerusalem Zoo (as a camp counselor and volunteer in high school, and then as a relief keeper during university). I practiced in two small animal clinics in Jerusalem then moved to the states to complete my residency in special species (exotics) at the University of Pennsylvania. I later returned to the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine and ran their exotics department.

I enjoy working with exotic pets and educating both students and clients and have a passion for helping all pets by implementing ways to keep them comfortable. I have worked in mixed small animal practices, university settings, and exotic pet practices.

My hardest loss was my first dog who was not a family pet. He was a rescued boxer, found emaciated on the street with no background information. He was my vet school dog, and a blood donor. When I moved to the US for my residency, I left him with a friend until I could find an apartment and bring him over. Unfortunately, while I was gone, he developed a brain tumor. I could not be there for him in the end, and it broke my heart. End of life care is a special and sensitive time. I like witnessing the human animal bond, hearing stories about a pet’s life, and seeing the spark in their family's eyes when talking about them, which truly shows how special every pet is. Providing this service makes a difficult situation a more peaceful experience for everyone.

Outside of my work in veterinary medicine, I enjoy reading, travelling, cooking (and eating).