I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. As a child, I always said I was going to be a veterinarian because I loved animals. As I grew older, I became interested in the sciences, and becoming a veterinarian made even more sense.

I was lucky to participate in a high school work-study program that allowed me to shadow local veterinarians, and I knew immediately that this was the right choice for me. I got my first job in a veterinary clinic as a dog bather right out of high school, and then worked as a technician throughout college. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky, and attended veterinary school at Auburn University in Alabama.

After graduating from veterinary school, I settled in Lexington and have worked in small animal general practice doing a little bit of everything, including emergency, internal medicine, surgery, ultrasound, and dentistry. Helping shelters and rescues through local veterinary practice partnerships has been some of the most rewarding work. I enjoy making a difference in the lives of the people and pets I work with.

Several years ago I had to say goodbye to my border collie heart dog, Sofia. She was 15 years old and had lymphoma. We knew her time was limited, but one weekend she had a sudden decline, and it became clear that it was her time to go. I was able to ease her suffering that day without having to take her to the emergency clinic. Easing suffering is the last gift we can give our pets, and being able to do that in the comfort of their home, surrounded by their loved ones, is a special gift.

When I’m not working, my family and I spend a lot of time outdoors hiking, biking, and kayaking. I love nature, as well as photography and crocheting.