Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Chris Hanley
I grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, a small suburb in the northern part of the state. As a child, I loved science, animals, and being outdoors, and often visited the Bronx Zoo.
I’ve had pets since I was 4 years old, and caring for them—and saying goodbye when the time came—taught me many life lessons and helped me grow up to understand saying goodbye to loved ones is part of life. My love of science and animals naturally led me to a veterinary career and I always wanted to be a zoo veterinarian.
I finished my undergraduate studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor's degree in biology and went to veterinary school at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. I also completed an exotics and avian specialty internship at the University of Georgia and a zoological medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine.
After a few years in emergency medicine, I entered zoological medicine and had an amazing career over the past 23 years. I enjoy the challenges presented by both fields, which involve combining critical thinking and intuition to find the best way to help each patient, to listen to your gut, to think creatively, and to always be keeping the animal's welfare first and foremost.
I love being a veterinarian because it allows me to help animals and the people who care about them. The joy and unconditonal love I receive from my own pets and many foster pets (I've had over 55 to date) inspire me to ensure every pet and owner can get the help they need, especially for compassionate end-of-life care. It is important to me that a good life ends with a good death.
Having said goodbye to many of my own animals, I’m grateful to have the skills and empathy to help ensure pets pass with dignity and as painlessly as possible.
During my free time, I am passionate about fostering dogs. I also play the drums in a band with friends and former colleagues, and you can often find me enjoying live events around town, whether it be music, comedy, trivia, or bingo.
About Dr. Kathryn Notch
I was born in Florissant, Missouri, and was raised in Chesterfield. Missouri has always been my home and I have friends here from every era of my life, including preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and college.
I have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. I loved growing up with dogs and always looked forward to meeting new pets. I started working at a local veterinary practice when I was 15 and have been working or studying in the field ever since. I earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and my veterinary degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
After vet school, I worked for five years as a general practice veterinarian. I enjoyed the work, but I decided to shift careers because of the toll it took on my mental health. Although I cared deeply about my patients and clients, having to make tough decisions, help navigate financial burdens, and deliver bad news, while never seeming to have enough time to fit in all the patients that needed to be seen, started to wear on me.
I have seen three of my childhood dogs cross the rainbow bridge. Helping to end patient suffering and be there to support clients through one of the most difficult and heartbreaking times of their lives is rewarding for me. Having been through this experience a few times myself, and performing countless euthanasias in general practice, I feel blessed to be a comfortable and soothing presence during a time of suffering. I appreciate that this job allows me to spend more time with my patients and be emotionally present with families.
When I am not working, I love reading, hiking, being outside, playing music, scuba diving, yoga, spending time with my pets, and playing board games and video games. I also have eight fur babies: a black Lab, Betty, a beagle/Australian cattle dog mix, Jack, and a golden retriever, Forrest, as well as two cats, Kiki and Keanu, and three rabbits, Pam, Ted, and Bun Bun.
About Dr. Sara Gilbert
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, near Forest Park, and after some time away to complete my academic journey, I returned to St. Louis. I especially appreciate the many beautiful cultural and outdoor opportunities available in every neighborhood in our region. One of the most interesting parts of working for Lap of Love is that I have been able to get to know and see so many areas of St. Louis on a deeper level.
I chose a career in veterinary medicine for a multitude of reasons, but I was originally drawn to the purpose of giving meaning to animals’ lives. My experiences with my own pets and my vet school professors made companion animal medicine (caring for dogs and cats) the most compelling avenue of study. Their complex biological and social lives are endlessly challenging, sometimes baffling, and always fascinating!
My educational journey took me to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the University of Washington in Seattle, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I was lucky to find great teachers at every school who helped me create a path that allows me to balance my interests and talents while leaving room for continued growth and discovery.
My continued focus on dog and cat community medicine comes from the fulfillment I get from the wide diversity of challenges, both big and small, that allow me to help pets and their families live more comfortably.
Since joining Lap of Love, I have been continually moved by the unique situations that I see during every appointment. Each pet, family, home, and medical journey creates a one-of-a-kind experience, and it is truly an honor to witness the love in each of these relationships.
About Dr. Chris Hanley
I grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, a small suburb in the northern part of the state. As a child, I loved science, animals, and being outdoors, and often visited the Bronx Zoo.
I’ve had pets since I was 4 years old, and caring for them—and saying goodbye when the time came—taught me many life lessons and helped me grow up to understand saying goodbye to loved ones is part of life. My love of science and animals naturally led me to a veterinary career and I always wanted to be a zoo veterinarian.
I finished my undergraduate studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor's degree in biology and went to veterinary school at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. I also completed an exotics and avian specialty internship at the University of Georgia and a zoological medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine.
After a few years in emergency medicine, I entered zoological medicine and had an amazing career over the past 23 years. I enjoy the challenges presented by both fields, which involve combining critical thinking and intuition to find the best way to help each patient, to listen to your gut, to think creatively, and to always be keeping the animal's welfare first and foremost.
I love being a veterinarian because it allows me to help animals and the people who care about them. The joy and unconditonal love I receive from my own pets and many foster pets (I've had over 55 to date) inspire me to ensure every pet and owner can get the help they need, especially for compassionate end-of-life care. It is important to me that a good life ends with a good death.
Having said goodbye to many of my own animals, I’m grateful to have the skills and empathy to help ensure pets pass with dignity and as painlessly as possible.
During my free time, I am passionate about fostering dogs. I also play the drums in a band with friends and former colleagues, and you can often find me enjoying live events around town, whether it be music, comedy, trivia, or bingo.
About Dr. Kathryn Notch
I was born in Florissant, Missouri, and was raised in Chesterfield. Missouri has always been my home and I have friends here from every era of my life, including preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and college.
I have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. I loved growing up with dogs and always looked forward to meeting new pets. I started working at a local veterinary practice when I was 15 and have been working or studying in the field ever since. I earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and my veterinary degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
After vet school, I worked for five years as a general practice veterinarian. I enjoyed the work, but I decided to shift careers because of the toll it took on my mental health. Although I cared deeply about my patients and clients, having to make tough decisions, help navigate financial burdens, and deliver bad news, while never seeming to have enough time to fit in all the patients that needed to be seen, started to wear on me.
I have seen three of my childhood dogs cross the rainbow bridge. Helping to end patient suffering and be there to support clients through one of the most difficult and heartbreaking times of their lives is rewarding for me. Having been through this experience a few times myself, and performing countless euthanasias in general practice, I feel blessed to be a comfortable and soothing presence during a time of suffering. I appreciate that this job allows me to spend more time with my patients and be emotionally present with families.
When I am not working, I love reading, hiking, being outside, playing music, scuba diving, yoga, spending time with my pets, and playing board games and video games. I also have eight fur babies: a black Lab, Betty, a beagle/Australian cattle dog mix, Jack, and a golden retriever, Forrest, as well as two cats, Kiki and Keanu, and three rabbits, Pam, Ted, and Bun Bun.
About Dr. Sara Gilbert
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, near Forest Park, and after some time away to complete my academic journey, I returned to St. Louis. I especially appreciate the many beautiful cultural and outdoor opportunities available in every neighborhood in our region. One of the most interesting parts of working for Lap of Love is that I have been able to get to know and see so many areas of St. Louis on a deeper level.
I chose a career in veterinary medicine for a multitude of reasons, but I was originally drawn to the purpose of giving meaning to animals’ lives. My experiences with my own pets and my vet school professors made companion animal medicine (caring for dogs and cats) the most compelling avenue of study. Their complex biological and social lives are endlessly challenging, sometimes baffling, and always fascinating!
My educational journey took me to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the University of Washington in Seattle, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I was lucky to find great teachers at every school who helped me create a path that allows me to balance my interests and talents while leaving room for continued growth and discovery.
My continued focus on dog and cat community medicine comes from the fulfillment I get from the wide diversity of challenges, both big and small, that allow me to help pets and their families live more comfortably.
Since joining Lap of Love, I have been continually moved by the unique situations that I see during every appointment. Each pet, family, home, and medical journey creates a one-of-a-kind experience, and it is truly an honor to witness the love in each of these relationships.
About Dr. Chris Hanley
I grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, a small suburb in the northern part of the state. As a child, I loved science, animals, and being outdoors, and often visited the Bronx Zoo.
I’ve had pets since I was 4 years old, and caring for them—and saying goodbye when the time came—taught me many life lessons and helped me grow up to understand saying goodbye to loved ones is part of life. My love of science and animals naturally led me to a veterinary career and I always wanted to be a zoo veterinarian.
I finished my undergraduate studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor's degree in biology and went to veterinary school at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. I also completed an exotics and avian specialty internship at the University of Georgia and a zoological medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine.
After a few years in emergency medicine, I entered zoological medicine and had an amazing career over the past 23 years. I enjoy the challenges presented by both fields, which involve combining critical thinking and intuition to find the best way to help each patient, to listen to your gut, to think creatively, and to always be keeping the animal's welfare first and foremost.
I love being a veterinarian because it allows me to help animals and the people who care about them. The joy and unconditonal love I receive from my own pets and many foster pets (I've had over 55 to date) inspire me to ensure every pet and owner can get the help they need, especially for compassionate end-of-life care. It is important to me that a good life ends with a good death.
Having said goodbye to many of my own animals, I’m grateful to have the skills and empathy to help ensure pets pass with dignity and as painlessly as possible.
During my free time, I am passionate about fostering dogs. I also play the drums in a band with friends and former colleagues, and you can often find me enjoying live events around town, whether it be music, comedy, trivia, or bingo.