Growing up, my family moved a lot due to my dad's work, and I lived in Florida three times, Georgia twice, and Virginia twice. My high school years were spent near Atlanta, which is where I met my husband. My mom recalls that I have wanted to be a vet since childhood, although I don't quite remember when I first declared it. Growing up, we had a series of cats, more than one accidental litter of kittens, and one cherished dog.

I earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and my veterinary degree from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. After vet school, I completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery, with an emphasis on emergency and critical care, at MSPCA/Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston.

After graduating from Tufts, I practiced in Massachusetts in various aspects of small animal medicine, including emergency and urgent care, wellness and general medicine, general surgery, and dentistry, in both corporate and privately owned practices. I also did a bit of relief work at a busy shelter.

During more than 25 years in the veterinary field, I’ve said goodbye to several beloved dogs and cats. For me, choosing euthanasia is a private decision. I never wanted a lot of fuss and attention over it, but I always appreciated receiving a card signed by my staff and colleagues, knowing they all understood what I was going through.

It is important to support families when pets are at their most fragile and vulnerable, and when kindness and compassion are most needed. I want to reassure people that grief over a pet is a reflection of having loved that pet. I consider it a privilege to be involved in decisions about a pet's care.

When I am not working, I am usually with my family—watching soccer, helping with schoolwork, visiting grandparents, or fixing up our house. I also enjoy cooking, gardening, knitting, traveling, and researching our ancestry.

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