Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Courtney Cutright
I was born and raised in Pinckney, Michigan. I was fortunate to grow up on a horse farm, which sparked and nurtured my love for animals. It was only natural that the husbandry that went into caring for our farm animals evolved into a desire to be a veterinarian.
I received both my Bachelor of Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Michigan State University. After graduating, my husband and I moved back to Pinckney to be close to the family farm. I have worked as a small animal veterinarian in general private practice since graduating. I enjoy working up complex internal medicine cases, but I feel the most appreciated when performing euthanasia. The gratitude I receive from thankful families during such a heartbreaking time has actually been the most rewarding part of my job. Death is an inevitable part of life and I believe that all pets deserve to pass peacefully and with dignity.
When I graduated from vet school, I rewarded myself by adopting my very own puppy. I had many family pets growing up, but Emma was the first pet I was solely responsible for. Sadly, I diagnosed her with cancer on her 12th birthday. My husband and I had a difficult discussion regarding her quality of life and what markers we would use to determine when the appropriate time for euthanasia would be. The day came a lot sooner than we expected. Emma lay between my husband and me, and we both hugged her tightly and shed tears while I administered the euthanasia solution. As painful as it was, I’m extremely proud of the way we let her go. I consider it a privilege to help families provide the gentle, peaceful goodbye they seek for their faithful companion as I did with Emma.
When I’m not working, you can often find me helping out at the family farm and spending time with my five horses, Hope, Hombre, Tailor, Everett, and Lucy. I am passionate about riding and I compete in the sport of dressage. I also enjoy traveling, camping, and hiking with my husband and our two boxers, Izzy and Olive. We also have a rescue cat named Smudge.
About Dr. Laura Porta
I grew up in the small Northern Michigan town of Gaylord. We had many dogs and cats when I was growing up, whom I loved from afar because I was severely allergic to them! Thankfully, I grew out of my allergies and was able to pursue a career involving my love for animals. I attended Michigan State University for my undergraduate work and veterinary school and achieved my dream in 2001. I practiced small animal medicine in the area, including clinics in Kalamazoo, the eastern Detroit area, and Howell, where I was able to help, heal and treat my furry clients.
While working in one small animal practice, we were getting several requests for in home euthanasias, and I was wiling to help. As I started to perform in home euthanasias, I found it was such an honor and privilege to help clients with their beloved pets in their home. To allow a pet to remain in the comfort of their home, surrounded by their loving family for their final moments was a feeling I can't describe.
Although I found myself drawn to helping families for end of life care, I understand the enormity of this decision as a pet parent. I had to endure the heartbreaking decision-making process as a pet parent with our dog, Quimby. Even though I'm a veterinarian, I'm also a pet parent, so I felt the anxiety and helplessness of making this difficult decision. I hope I can bring you some comfort and assurance that this decision can be your last gift to your pet. I performed Quimby's euthanasia at home with my family hugging him and loving on him as he took his final breath.
I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful children and share our loving home with a myriad of pet children including our crazy German Shorthaired Pointer, named Monty, who can't sit still. We also have two cats, named Frodo and Jess, who love to lounge in the sun on the screened-in porch as I read, which is how I love to spend my time.
About Dr. Cyrus Wegbreit
I have always believed in helping both animals and humans and I see my role with Lap of Love as one of the best ways to accomplish this. I am honored to work in a field where I can help so many people and their pets in such a deep and profound manner.
While in vet school, my wife and I realized that our dog, Buddy, had reached the end of his time with us. He was treated for Chronic Heart failure and after 14 extra months with him, he grew tired. One of our professors graciously offered to come and help Buddy be put to rest in our home. When the day arrived, it was such a relief to know that Buddy would be well cared for and that we, as his parents, only had to focus on keeping him happy and comfortable. This moment hugely impacted our family and my veterinary career’s focus.
After several years working as an emergency veterinarian and then a general practitioner, I became drawn towards end of life care. I am so honored and proud to be part of the Lap of Love family. I aim to provide every family that I help the same sense of comfort and security we were given as it truly meant the world to us.
Because my wife and I met in vet school, we have always had a lot of animals - currently we have 2 dogs and a senior gentleman cat. However, in the past, we had 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 3 guinea pigs! We also welcomed our son into the world in July of 2018. It’s a busy household, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. In my off time, I enjoy hiking, gardening, travel, soccer, and video games.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
About Dr. Ashley Ketter
I was born and raised outside of Topeka, Kansas on a small hobby farm with a menagerie of animals. As a horse-crazy animal lover, veterinary medicine was an obvious choice for me. I went to Kansas State University to study biology and later earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri.
After graduation, my husband and I moved to the Pacific Northwest and lived outside of Seattle where I practiced small animal medicine. We moved to Michigan for my husband's schooling and despite the cold, fell in love with the state. We currently live in Ann Arbor with our two dogs, Julep (a scruffy Lab mix) and Konza (a pure cuddle monster), and Filson (part cat, part Golden Retriever). When not helping pets and their families, I am usually at the barn riding my handsome horse Mojo, hiking with my dogs, or traveling.
My husband and I recently suffered the emotional loss of our beloved cat, Apollo. At the young age of 6, Apollo was diagnosed with cancer that quickly ravaged his little body despite aggressive chemotherapy. It was by far the hardest thing that either of us have ever had to go through. The light in the darkness was his incredible oncologist who helped us say goodbye to our little buddy. I will never forget the peace we felt in those final moments and how thankful we are that Apollo was granted that gift.
Every pet deserves to be calm, comfortable and surrounded by their loving family in their final moments. I am honored to be able to provide families and their beloved pets with the gift of a peaceful passing
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Courtney Cutright
I was born and raised in Pinckney, Michigan. I was fortunate to grow up on a horse farm, which sparked and nurtured my love for animals. It was only natural that the husbandry that went into caring for our farm animals evolved into a desire to be a veterinarian.
I received both my Bachelor of Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Michigan State University. After graduating, my husband and I moved back to Pinckney to be close to the family farm. I have worked as a small animal veterinarian in general private practice since graduating. I enjoy working up complex internal medicine cases, but I feel the most appreciated when performing euthanasia. The gratitude I receive from thankful families during such a heartbreaking time has actually been the most rewarding part of my job. Death is an inevitable part of life and I believe that all pets deserve to pass peacefully and with dignity.
When I graduated from vet school, I rewarded myself by adopting my very own puppy. I had many family pets growing up, but Emma was the first pet I was solely responsible for. Sadly, I diagnosed her with cancer on her 12th birthday. My husband and I had a difficult discussion regarding her quality of life and what markers we would use to determine when the appropriate time for euthanasia would be. The day came a lot sooner than we expected. Emma lay between my husband and me, and we both hugged her tightly and shed tears while I administered the euthanasia solution. As painful as it was, I’m extremely proud of the way we let her go. I consider it a privilege to help families provide the gentle, peaceful goodbye they seek for their faithful companion as I did with Emma.
When I’m not working, you can often find me helping out at the family farm and spending time with my five horses, Hope, Hombre, Tailor, Everett, and Lucy. I am passionate about riding and I compete in the sport of dressage. I also enjoy traveling, camping, and hiking with my husband and our two boxers, Izzy and Olive. We also have a rescue cat named Smudge.
About Dr. Laura Porta
I grew up in the small Northern Michigan town of Gaylord. We had many dogs and cats when I was growing up, whom I loved from afar because I was severely allergic to them! Thankfully, I grew out of my allergies and was able to pursue a career involving my love for animals. I attended Michigan State University for my undergraduate work and veterinary school and achieved my dream in 2001. I practiced small animal medicine in the area, including clinics in Kalamazoo, the eastern Detroit area, and Howell, where I was able to help, heal and treat my furry clients.
While working in one small animal practice, we were getting several requests for in home euthanasias, and I was wiling to help. As I started to perform in home euthanasias, I found it was such an honor and privilege to help clients with their beloved pets in their home. To allow a pet to remain in the comfort of their home, surrounded by their loving family for their final moments was a feeling I can't describe.
Although I found myself drawn to helping families for end of life care, I understand the enormity of this decision as a pet parent. I had to endure the heartbreaking decision-making process as a pet parent with our dog, Quimby. Even though I'm a veterinarian, I'm also a pet parent, so I felt the anxiety and helplessness of making this difficult decision. I hope I can bring you some comfort and assurance that this decision can be your last gift to your pet. I performed Quimby's euthanasia at home with my family hugging him and loving on him as he took his final breath.
I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful children and share our loving home with a myriad of pet children including our crazy German Shorthaired Pointer, named Monty, who can't sit still. We also have two cats, named Frodo and Jess, who love to lounge in the sun on the screened-in porch as I read, which is how I love to spend my time.
About Dr. Cyrus Wegbreit
I have always believed in helping both animals and humans and I see my role with Lap of Love as one of the best ways to accomplish this. I am honored to work in a field where I can help so many people and their pets in such a deep and profound manner.
While in vet school, my wife and I realized that our dog, Buddy, had reached the end of his time with us. He was treated for Chronic Heart failure and after 14 extra months with him, he grew tired. One of our professors graciously offered to come and help Buddy be put to rest in our home. When the day arrived, it was such a relief to know that Buddy would be well cared for and that we, as his parents, only had to focus on keeping him happy and comfortable. This moment hugely impacted our family and my veterinary career’s focus.
After several years working as an emergency veterinarian and then a general practitioner, I became drawn towards end of life care. I am so honored and proud to be part of the Lap of Love family. I aim to provide every family that I help the same sense of comfort and security we were given as it truly meant the world to us.
Because my wife and I met in vet school, we have always had a lot of animals - currently we have 2 dogs and a senior gentleman cat. However, in the past, we had 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 3 guinea pigs! We also welcomed our son into the world in July of 2018. It’s a busy household, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. In my off time, I enjoy hiking, gardening, travel, soccer, and video games.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
About Dr. Ashley Ketter
I was born and raised outside of Topeka, Kansas on a small hobby farm with a menagerie of animals. As a horse-crazy animal lover, veterinary medicine was an obvious choice for me. I went to Kansas State University to study biology and later earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri.
After graduation, my husband and I moved to the Pacific Northwest and lived outside of Seattle where I practiced small animal medicine. We moved to Michigan for my husband's schooling and despite the cold, fell in love with the state. We currently live in Ann Arbor with our two dogs, Julep (a scruffy Lab mix) and Konza (a pure cuddle monster), and Filson (part cat, part Golden Retriever). When not helping pets and their families, I am usually at the barn riding my handsome horse Mojo, hiking with my dogs, or traveling.
My husband and I recently suffered the emotional loss of our beloved cat, Apollo. At the young age of 6, Apollo was diagnosed with cancer that quickly ravaged his little body despite aggressive chemotherapy. It was by far the hardest thing that either of us have ever had to go through. The light in the darkness was his incredible oncologist who helped us say goodbye to our little buddy. I will never forget the peace we felt in those final moments and how thankful we are that Apollo was granted that gift.
Every pet deserves to be calm, comfortable and surrounded by their loving family in their final moments. I am honored to be able to provide families and their beloved pets with the gift of a peaceful passing
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Courtney Cutright
I was born and raised in Pinckney, Michigan. I was fortunate to grow up on a horse farm, which sparked and nurtured my love for animals. It was only natural that the husbandry that went into caring for our farm animals evolved into a desire to be a veterinarian.
I received both my Bachelor of Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Michigan State University. After graduating, my husband and I moved back to Pinckney to be close to the family farm. I have worked as a small animal veterinarian in general private practice since graduating. I enjoy working up complex internal medicine cases, but I feel the most appreciated when performing euthanasia. The gratitude I receive from thankful families during such a heartbreaking time has actually been the most rewarding part of my job. Death is an inevitable part of life and I believe that all pets deserve to pass peacefully and with dignity.
When I graduated from vet school, I rewarded myself by adopting my very own puppy. I had many family pets growing up, but Emma was the first pet I was solely responsible for. Sadly, I diagnosed her with cancer on her 12th birthday. My husband and I had a difficult discussion regarding her quality of life and what markers we would use to determine when the appropriate time for euthanasia would be. The day came a lot sooner than we expected. Emma lay between my husband and me, and we both hugged her tightly and shed tears while I administered the euthanasia solution. As painful as it was, I’m extremely proud of the way we let her go. I consider it a privilege to help families provide the gentle, peaceful goodbye they seek for their faithful companion as I did with Emma.
When I’m not working, you can often find me helping out at the family farm and spending time with my five horses, Hope, Hombre, Tailor, Everett, and Lucy. I am passionate about riding and I compete in the sport of dressage. I also enjoy traveling, camping, and hiking with my husband and our two boxers, Izzy and Olive. We also have a rescue cat named Smudge.