Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Michelle Waltenburg
I grew up in a northwestern suburb of Chicago called Wauconda, a small town with a big personality. After deciding on veterinary medicine as my path, I attended the University of Miami to study microbiology. I then attended veterinary school at the University of Illinois to complete my educational journey.
I chose to become a vet to directly impact pets and their families, and to have a broader impact on animal health in communities. For the last several years, I’ve worked in veterinary public health to help protect animals and people from diseases that may spread between them. Despite feeling fulfilled by the significance of this work, I missed the pet and pet owner interactions central to clinical practice.
My desire to work more closely with pets and their families, alongside a personal experience with pet loss, pushed me toward my current career in veterinary hospice and end-of-life care. When I lost my dog, Zuko, the compassionate care we received made a difficult experience a little easier and showed me how meaningful end-of-life care can be for everyone involved.
Through Lap of Love, I provide the same compassionate, supportive, and personalized care I received with Zuko to other pets and families. I am honored and grateful to positively influence a pet’s final moments and to help ease the pain of loss for families.
My hobbies outside of work include reading, cooking, and exercising.
About Dr. Miranda Shaw
My suburban Indiana childhood was not filled with a multitude of pets like many of my veterinary colleagues. My mother had a strict “no creepy crawly” rule, which meant if it was not a cat or a dog then the answer was “no”. Unfortunately, our family dogs passed when I was in grade school, and many years went by before there was another pet in our home. During sophomore year of high school, I was gifted with my beloved Leopold (Siamese mix) and shortly after, Carlyle (orange tabby), who both continue to fill my life with love and joy today. Despite the absence of a furry companion for many of my formative years, I have no memory of a time in my life when my love for animals failed to burn reverently in my heart. My parents spared no opportunity to support my passion. They not only exposed me to different aspects of the veterinary field, such as general practice, zoo medicine, and animal industry, they also instilled in me a strong work ethic and high standard of excellence.
I am not sure if my parents ever knew how serious I was about becoming a veterinarian until I went to college, but unbeknownst to them, the support that they provided would be all that was needed to achieve my goal. The beginning of my journey started at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida where I received a Bachelors of Agriculture with a pre-veterinary medicine focus. During my tenure at FAMU, I actively participated in social and scholastic organizations, such as Mahogany Dance Theatre, Relay for Life, Executive Committee member of the Animal Science Club, and Volunteer with the local animal shelter. Upon graduation, my continued pursuit of career took me to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, with my main focus as Small Animal Medicine; working in small animal surgery suite and participating in low cost community vaccine/spay/neuter clinics.
Upon graduation, I began working in small animal general practice. I was thrilled to be able to work within a strong and thriving preventative care program, but I found myself wanting to do more for the families and patients that were dealing with difficult diagnoses. I discovered that, while making the correct diagnosis is important, helping our clients understand what the diagnosis means, how to manage it, and helping them to carry the burden of impending difficult decisions is far more important. In the general practice setting, I found the support I wanted to give to families and the time and resources I had at my disposal were always at odds. For this reason, I am humbled and honored to be working for a company such as Lap of Love. It is my intention and my blessing to not only provide the best quality of care I can for patients, but to also provide clarity, understanding, and support for clients in a way that is unique to their pet and their individual needs.
About Dr. Maura Lehmann
I grew up in Houston, Texas, as the oldest of 4 children. I can’t remember when it was that I decided I was going to become a veterinarian but it must have been sometime while my first memories were developing. Luckily, I was born into a family of animal lovers who were more than supportive of my dream. My childhood was spent surrounded by a menagerie of cats, dogs, birds, hamsters, fish, frogs, rabbits and everything in between. From a young age, I realized that the human-animal bond was special and unique from any other relationship. This is what drove my desire to become a veterinarian.
After graduating from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in small animal general practice. During my years spent helping families, I had the privilege of witnessing the many stages and forms of the human-animal bond. While I thoroughly enjoy the science and detective work of managing medical and surgical patients, there is no greater honor than helping families and their pets foster the human-animal bond during end of life care.
Being a life-long pet parent, I understand how difficult it can be to know when and how to say good-bye to a beloved pet. Through Lap of Love, I am blessed with the opportunity to help guide owners through the last chapter of life with their pets. It is my hope to help provide the gift of comfort and a peaceful passing in a way that honors the special bond of a pet.
About Dr. Amy Myers
I grew up in Peoria, a small city in the central Illinois region that houses a diverse population of people dedicated to the health and well-being of their pets. As a young child, I was always fascinated with animals and their health, and after my first time riding a horse at the age of 5, my decision of becoming a veterinarian was solidified. My passion for the field was further fueled in my teenage years while working at Whitney Veterinary Hospital. There, I advanced from a kennel attendant up to the veterinary assistant role. One of the veterinarians took me under her wing and mentored me through medical cases to further expand my knowledge and pique my interest in the career field.
After high school, I fast tracked my trajectory toward becoming a veterinarian. I completed my undergraduate studies at Illinois Central College then transferred to University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana College of Veterinary Medicine to obtain my veterinary degree. In veterinary school, I stumbled upon a unique interest in grief counseling through a bereavement class I attended, run by a therapist working for the university. The latter opened my eyes to a focus in my career that I was unaware of at the time. Through this class, I volunteered as a pet loss advocate on the school's hotline.
Since veterinary school, I have led a diverse life in this career field, having practiced in small animal exclusive hospitals, managed a relief company in the Chicagoland area, performed in home euthanasia (prior to joining Lap of Love), and even led a team as Chief of Staff. I’ve always tailored my focus as a veterinarian toward quality of life and the human-animal bond, while supporting families in making decisions regarding the health and well-being of their pet(s). Though, I’ve worn many hats throughout my career, I’ve always gravitated toward end-of-life care and value the unique privilege of assisting families in the comfort of their own home with this valuable service. By providing in home care, pets can feel most at ease during this critical time in their lives. Helping these families also provides me with the ability to make myself available to ease some of their pain through my passion of grief counseling.
Outside of work, you can usually find me working out, hiking, painting, spending time with my son, William, and devoting lots of cuddle time to my cat, Rack, and dog, Paco. My past interests include competing as a professional, natural bodybuilder, while now, I continue to incorporate exercise as a healthy coping mechanism in my daily life.
About Dr. Ashleigh Frain
Growing up, I lived in the northern suburbs of Chicago near the Wisconsin border. I always enjoyed being able to drive by fields filled with cows, horses, and corn as well as hopping across the state line to grab some cheese curds every once in a while!
I was always surrounded by furry friends, big and small during my childhood. Like many others in the profession, I have wanted to be a veterinarian since before I can remember. I loved more than just my own pets growing up. I also loved the wild salamanders, toads, and monarch butterflies I would find in our backyard, even if my parents weren’t so excited every time I brought home another “exotic” creature to show them. I wanted to help every animal I met. As I also discovered my love for science and medicine, my passion only grew. I loved the idea of combining my love for science, animals, and their people into a career I would truly enjoy.
I received my bachelor’s degree in biology from Elmhurst College before attending the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where I received my veterinary degree. After graduating from veterinary school I made the big move to Dallas, Texas where I worked for many years in small animal general practice.
From young pets to senior pets, I loved working with families to create the best plan to keep their best friend healthy as well as to decipher their pet’s illness and work together to heal them. However, I feel there is nothing more honorable than guiding pets and their people through end-of-life care. It is such an immense privilege to be fully present with families and to foster the human-animal bond in such a loving and peaceful way. I have said goodbye to my own pup at home, and I truly value the opportunity to provide the same closure for others and their loved ones in the comfort of home as well.
Outside of doing this important work, I love exploring nature and going on walks and hikes with my husband and 3 rescue dogs. I also love being at home baking, cooking, and playing video games.
About Dr. Erika Powers
I grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois. With amazing schools, a beautiful countryside and forests to explore, nearby Chicago to visit, and Lake Zurich to swim in, it was the perfect Midwestern town. I consider Green Lake, Wisconsin my second home, as I was lucky enough to spend my childhood summers there.
As a child, my heart and home were filled with dogs, cats, fish, “rescued” insects, and an endless supply of animal reference books from the library. My dream since kindergarten was to become a veterinarian. Throughout elementary school, I was often voted as most likely to become a vet, become a zookeeper, or own a farm—anything that involved animals. I am fortunate to be living out my dreams. I attended undergraduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana—go Hoosiers!—and veterinary school at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
I work in general practice, with a focus on preventative wellness care. While general practice provides a variety of experiences, such as surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, dentistry, emergencies—often in one day—my favorite part is seeing the special bond between people and their beloved pets. Helping people through the joys—and sorrows—of pet ownership is something I cherish.
As a child, I unfortunately experienced the sudden, tragic loss of a few pets. There was no special moment to say goodbye. These experiences stayed with me, and my wish is for all pets to experience a peaceful passing with their family by their side. Pets love unconditionally their entire lives, and one of the sweetest things a family can do in return is provide their beloved companion a peaceful passing.
My favorite spot is on my couch with a full cup of coffee and my three dogs—one on my lap, one at my side, and one at my feet. My dogs are my life and I love to spend time hiking, exploring, playing, and taking naps outside in the sun with them. When I'm not with my pets or family, I love to spend time in my garden or at my art table making pet portraits.
About Dr. Mike Ogden-Schuette
Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I felt compelled to become a veterinarian because I had a passion for science and believed we are blessed to have pets in our lives. In many ways, they are too good for us, and I wanted to thank the universe for allowing us the joy and love of having and caring for pets.
I attended DePaul University in Lincoln Park, Chicago, for my undergraduate degree and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine for veterinary school. I spent my clinical year at the University of Illinois.
The human-animal bond is one of the purest expressions of love I’ve seen. Being a veterinarian allows me to experience that bond and contribute to its longevity. I consider this a privilege and a great accomplishment.
I have worked in private and corporate practice and shelter medicine, but I most enjoy surgery and preventive medicine.
I had to say goodbye to my Australian Shepherd mix, Tiger, in late 2023. The arrangements for that final day were as perfect as possible thanks in large part to my position as a veterinarian. I want to help all families say goodbye in the absolute best way for their pets and the people who love them.
About Dr. Michelle Waltenburg
I grew up in a northwestern suburb of Chicago called Wauconda, a small town with a big personality. After deciding on veterinary medicine as my path, I attended the University of Miami to study microbiology. I then attended veterinary school at the University of Illinois to complete my educational journey.
I chose to become a vet to directly impact pets and their families, and to have a broader impact on animal health in communities. For the last several years, I’ve worked in veterinary public health to help protect animals and people from diseases that may spread between them. Despite feeling fulfilled by the significance of this work, I missed the pet and pet owner interactions central to clinical practice.
My desire to work more closely with pets and their families, alongside a personal experience with pet loss, pushed me toward my current career in veterinary hospice and end-of-life care. When I lost my dog, Zuko, the compassionate care we received made a difficult experience a little easier and showed me how meaningful end-of-life care can be for everyone involved.
Through Lap of Love, I provide the same compassionate, supportive, and personalized care I received with Zuko to other pets and families. I am honored and grateful to positively influence a pet’s final moments and to help ease the pain of loss for families.
My hobbies outside of work include reading, cooking, and exercising.
About Dr. Miranda Shaw
My suburban Indiana childhood was not filled with a multitude of pets like many of my veterinary colleagues. My mother had a strict “no creepy crawly” rule, which meant if it was not a cat or a dog then the answer was “no”. Unfortunately, our family dogs passed when I was in grade school, and many years went by before there was another pet in our home. During sophomore year of high school, I was gifted with my beloved Leopold (Siamese mix) and shortly after, Carlyle (orange tabby), who both continue to fill my life with love and joy today. Despite the absence of a furry companion for many of my formative years, I have no memory of a time in my life when my love for animals failed to burn reverently in my heart. My parents spared no opportunity to support my passion. They not only exposed me to different aspects of the veterinary field, such as general practice, zoo medicine, and animal industry, they also instilled in me a strong work ethic and high standard of excellence.
I am not sure if my parents ever knew how serious I was about becoming a veterinarian until I went to college, but unbeknownst to them, the support that they provided would be all that was needed to achieve my goal. The beginning of my journey started at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida where I received a Bachelors of Agriculture with a pre-veterinary medicine focus. During my tenure at FAMU, I actively participated in social and scholastic organizations, such as Mahogany Dance Theatre, Relay for Life, Executive Committee member of the Animal Science Club, and Volunteer with the local animal shelter. Upon graduation, my continued pursuit of career took me to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, with my main focus as Small Animal Medicine; working in small animal surgery suite and participating in low cost community vaccine/spay/neuter clinics.
Upon graduation, I began working in small animal general practice. I was thrilled to be able to work within a strong and thriving preventative care program, but I found myself wanting to do more for the families and patients that were dealing with difficult diagnoses. I discovered that, while making the correct diagnosis is important, helping our clients understand what the diagnosis means, how to manage it, and helping them to carry the burden of impending difficult decisions is far more important. In the general practice setting, I found the support I wanted to give to families and the time and resources I had at my disposal were always at odds. For this reason, I am humbled and honored to be working for a company such as Lap of Love. It is my intention and my blessing to not only provide the best quality of care I can for patients, but to also provide clarity, understanding, and support for clients in a way that is unique to their pet and their individual needs.
About Dr. Maura Lehmann
I grew up in Houston, Texas, as the oldest of 4 children. I can’t remember when it was that I decided I was going to become a veterinarian but it must have been sometime while my first memories were developing. Luckily, I was born into a family of animal lovers who were more than supportive of my dream. My childhood was spent surrounded by a menagerie of cats, dogs, birds, hamsters, fish, frogs, rabbits and everything in between. From a young age, I realized that the human-animal bond was special and unique from any other relationship. This is what drove my desire to become a veterinarian.
After graduating from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in small animal general practice. During my years spent helping families, I had the privilege of witnessing the many stages and forms of the human-animal bond. While I thoroughly enjoy the science and detective work of managing medical and surgical patients, there is no greater honor than helping families and their pets foster the human-animal bond during end of life care.
Being a life-long pet parent, I understand how difficult it can be to know when and how to say good-bye to a beloved pet. Through Lap of Love, I am blessed with the opportunity to help guide owners through the last chapter of life with their pets. It is my hope to help provide the gift of comfort and a peaceful passing in a way that honors the special bond of a pet.
About Dr. Amy Myers
I grew up in Peoria, a small city in the central Illinois region that houses a diverse population of people dedicated to the health and well-being of their pets. As a young child, I was always fascinated with animals and their health, and after my first time riding a horse at the age of 5, my decision of becoming a veterinarian was solidified. My passion for the field was further fueled in my teenage years while working at Whitney Veterinary Hospital. There, I advanced from a kennel attendant up to the veterinary assistant role. One of the veterinarians took me under her wing and mentored me through medical cases to further expand my knowledge and pique my interest in the career field.
After high school, I fast tracked my trajectory toward becoming a veterinarian. I completed my undergraduate studies at Illinois Central College then transferred to University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana College of Veterinary Medicine to obtain my veterinary degree. In veterinary school, I stumbled upon a unique interest in grief counseling through a bereavement class I attended, run by a therapist working for the university. The latter opened my eyes to a focus in my career that I was unaware of at the time. Through this class, I volunteered as a pet loss advocate on the school's hotline.
Since veterinary school, I have led a diverse life in this career field, having practiced in small animal exclusive hospitals, managed a relief company in the Chicagoland area, performed in home euthanasia (prior to joining Lap of Love), and even led a team as Chief of Staff. I’ve always tailored my focus as a veterinarian toward quality of life and the human-animal bond, while supporting families in making decisions regarding the health and well-being of their pet(s). Though, I’ve worn many hats throughout my career, I’ve always gravitated toward end-of-life care and value the unique privilege of assisting families in the comfort of their own home with this valuable service. By providing in home care, pets can feel most at ease during this critical time in their lives. Helping these families also provides me with the ability to make myself available to ease some of their pain through my passion of grief counseling.
Outside of work, you can usually find me working out, hiking, painting, spending time with my son, William, and devoting lots of cuddle time to my cat, Rack, and dog, Paco. My past interests include competing as a professional, natural bodybuilder, while now, I continue to incorporate exercise as a healthy coping mechanism in my daily life.
About Dr. Ashleigh Frain
Growing up, I lived in the northern suburbs of Chicago near the Wisconsin border. I always enjoyed being able to drive by fields filled with cows, horses, and corn as well as hopping across the state line to grab some cheese curds every once in a while!
I was always surrounded by furry friends, big and small during my childhood. Like many others in the profession, I have wanted to be a veterinarian since before I can remember. I loved more than just my own pets growing up. I also loved the wild salamanders, toads, and monarch butterflies I would find in our backyard, even if my parents weren’t so excited every time I brought home another “exotic” creature to show them. I wanted to help every animal I met. As I also discovered my love for science and medicine, my passion only grew. I loved the idea of combining my love for science, animals, and their people into a career I would truly enjoy.
I received my bachelor’s degree in biology from Elmhurst College before attending the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where I received my veterinary degree. After graduating from veterinary school I made the big move to Dallas, Texas where I worked for many years in small animal general practice.
From young pets to senior pets, I loved working with families to create the best plan to keep their best friend healthy as well as to decipher their pet’s illness and work together to heal them. However, I feel there is nothing more honorable than guiding pets and their people through end-of-life care. It is such an immense privilege to be fully present with families and to foster the human-animal bond in such a loving and peaceful way. I have said goodbye to my own pup at home, and I truly value the opportunity to provide the same closure for others and their loved ones in the comfort of home as well.
Outside of doing this important work, I love exploring nature and going on walks and hikes with my husband and 3 rescue dogs. I also love being at home baking, cooking, and playing video games.
About Dr. Erika Powers
I grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois. With amazing schools, a beautiful countryside and forests to explore, nearby Chicago to visit, and Lake Zurich to swim in, it was the perfect Midwestern town. I consider Green Lake, Wisconsin my second home, as I was lucky enough to spend my childhood summers there.
As a child, my heart and home were filled with dogs, cats, fish, “rescued” insects, and an endless supply of animal reference books from the library. My dream since kindergarten was to become a veterinarian. Throughout elementary school, I was often voted as most likely to become a vet, become a zookeeper, or own a farm—anything that involved animals. I am fortunate to be living out my dreams. I attended undergraduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana—go Hoosiers!—and veterinary school at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
I work in general practice, with a focus on preventative wellness care. While general practice provides a variety of experiences, such as surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, dentistry, emergencies—often in one day—my favorite part is seeing the special bond between people and their beloved pets. Helping people through the joys—and sorrows—of pet ownership is something I cherish.
As a child, I unfortunately experienced the sudden, tragic loss of a few pets. There was no special moment to say goodbye. These experiences stayed with me, and my wish is for all pets to experience a peaceful passing with their family by their side. Pets love unconditionally their entire lives, and one of the sweetest things a family can do in return is provide their beloved companion a peaceful passing.
My favorite spot is on my couch with a full cup of coffee and my three dogs—one on my lap, one at my side, and one at my feet. My dogs are my life and I love to spend time hiking, exploring, playing, and taking naps outside in the sun with them. When I'm not with my pets or family, I love to spend time in my garden or at my art table making pet portraits.
About Dr. Mike Ogden-Schuette
Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I felt compelled to become a veterinarian because I had a passion for science and believed we are blessed to have pets in our lives. In many ways, they are too good for us, and I wanted to thank the universe for allowing us the joy and love of having and caring for pets.
I attended DePaul University in Lincoln Park, Chicago, for my undergraduate degree and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine for veterinary school. I spent my clinical year at the University of Illinois.
The human-animal bond is one of the purest expressions of love I’ve seen. Being a veterinarian allows me to experience that bond and contribute to its longevity. I consider this a privilege and a great accomplishment.
I have worked in private and corporate practice and shelter medicine, but I most enjoy surgery and preventive medicine.
I had to say goodbye to my Australian Shepherd mix, Tiger, in late 2023. The arrangements for that final day were as perfect as possible thanks in large part to my position as a veterinarian. I want to help all families say goodbye in the absolute best way for their pets and the people who love them.
About Dr. Michelle Waltenburg
I grew up in a northwestern suburb of Chicago called Wauconda, a small town with a big personality. After deciding on veterinary medicine as my path, I attended the University of Miami to study microbiology. I then attended veterinary school at the University of Illinois to complete my educational journey.
I chose to become a vet to directly impact pets and their families, and to have a broader impact on animal health in communities. For the last several years, I’ve worked in veterinary public health to help protect animals and people from diseases that may spread between them. Despite feeling fulfilled by the significance of this work, I missed the pet and pet owner interactions central to clinical practice.
My desire to work more closely with pets and their families, alongside a personal experience with pet loss, pushed me toward my current career in veterinary hospice and end-of-life care. When I lost my dog, Zuko, the compassionate care we received made a difficult experience a little easier and showed me how meaningful end-of-life care can be for everyone involved.
Through Lap of Love, I provide the same compassionate, supportive, and personalized care I received with Zuko to other pets and families. I am honored and grateful to positively influence a pet’s final moments and to help ease the pain of loss for families.
My hobbies outside of work include reading, cooking, and exercising.