In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Central Maryland

Growing up on a farm in Adams County, Ohio, I spent much of my childhood caring for our animals, including dogs, cats, cows, horses, pigs, goats, poultry, and a llama! I developed a love and passion for animals at an early age and it sounds cliche, but I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 5 years old.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Alice Lloyd College, a small, community-oriented, work-study college in Kentucky. I worked at the college and a nearby veterinary clinic while I completed my undergraduate degree, after which I attended Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where I received my veterinary degree.

After graduation, I worked as an Army Veterinary Corps Officer for four years, where I had the honor of witnessing the bond between working dogs and their handlers. It was my favorite part of my time in the Army Corps and one of the most special experiences of my veterinary career. 

What I enjoy most about working as a general practice veterinarian are the relationships and trust that form with clients over time and watching my pet patients grow from the time they are puppies and kittens through their senior golden years. I also enjoy practicing medicine at shelters and community vaccine clinics because it allows me to provide care for pet and people populations that may not have otherwise been served. 

The impact that animals—especially companion animals—have on us is like no other, and their passing feels like a monumental loss. My family's 12-year-old dog passed away while I was at veterinary school, and I wasn’t able to be there. Through my role at Lap of Love, I hope to give families the peace and closure they need when saying goodbye to their furry loved ones. I understand the human-animal bond and feel honored to be able to provide pets with a dignified passing. 

When I’m not working, I love being outdoors, working on my parents' farm, hiking, camping, and kayaking. I also enjoy traveling and exploring new places, cooking, baking, reading, and gardening. 

I grew up in a rural area of Lockport, New York near Buffalo and Niagara Falls. I was drawn to veterinary medicine due to an interest in medicine, a love for animals, and a desire to help people and their pets. I considered human medicine, but after working with physicians, I found more personal fulfillment in veterinary medicine.

I completed my undergraduate degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and then went to veterinary school at Cornell University. After veterinary school, I moved to Missouri, where I worked in a mixed animal practice and completed a food animal production residency. I also earned a master’s degree in public health. From there, I moved to Maryland and worked as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) science policy analyst and as a risk analyst and math modeler. I then transitioned to clinical practice to help local people and their pets in a more hands-on way.

As a veterinarian, I most enjoy connecting with pet parents and helping them provide the best possible quality of life for their pets. 

I have lost several pets during my life. Most recently, I had to make the decision to euthanize my 15-year-old cat who I adopted as an 8-week-old kitten. It was a blessing to help her have a peaceful passing, and I think she would have been even more comfortable if we could have kept her at home for the process.

The end of a pet’s life is almost certainly the most emotionally challenging part, and being able to provide in-home care during this difficult time is often the greatest opportunity to help people and their beloved pets. 

In my spare time, I enjoy quietly observing nature, drawing, reading, light exercise, and spending time with my kids.

I grew up with a menagerie of pets, including rough collies, hermit crabs, saltwater fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, and even a chameleon. My love of animals, science, and medicine drew me to a career in veterinary medicine. 

After completing my undergraduate studies in biological sciences and psychology at Virginia Tech, I attended St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. Island life and culture were distinctly different from my upbringing in the U.S., and I was lucky to train with classmates and professors from around the world. Living in the Caribbean also offered me unique opportunities, such as assisting with sea turtle research, exploring snake species on night hikes, and earning PADI Divemaster and Master Scuba Diver certifications. After completing my pre-clinical studies, I spent my clinical year at North Carolina State University. 

Upon graduating from veterinary school, I completed a small animal rotating internship  followed by a residency in emergency and critical care medicine to become a board-certified 

emergency and critical care specialist (DACVECC).  I have practiced in a variety of emergency and inpatient management care settings. Although every day of clinical practice is different, at the core of veterinary medicine are the animals and the people who love them most. I am passionate about honoring and preserving this bond, however possible. 

I’ve always felt a strong pull to help others. Having recently experienced the loss of my own best friend, Sampson, an Australian shepherd mix, to cancer in 2023, and beloved family dogs Milo and Lacey (rough collies) in 2025, it has become clear to me how meaningful and important end-of-life care and dignity are to our furry friends and their families. Sampson and I were extremely bonded before his cancer diagnosis, but our journey through cancer, although horrible, was also incredibly special. It is my honor to share kindness, compassion, empathy, and care with families and to provide peace, comfort, respect, and dignity to the pets whose suffering I ease. 

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my dog, Evie the Australian Shepherd, and my family and friends. I also enjoy practicing yoga, spending time at the beach (exploring both above and below the water), cooking, baking, reading, and crocheting amigurumi.