In-Home Pet Euthanasia in North Jersey

I was born and raised in Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I went to a Quaker high school, William Penn Charter, which is one of the oldest schools in the country (founded in 1689). My sister and I ran track and field, and we were the fastest sprinters in the school. As a child, I was afraid of butterflies and animals. When I was around 8 years old, my uncle brought his cocker spaniel to my house. With some encouragement, I mustered my courage, petted Cockren, and discovered he was friendly. I started watching Animal Planet and reading about animals, and I quickly realized that I wanted to be a veterinarian. My parents knew a veterinarian who let me volunteer at his clinic, cementing my decision to go to vet school and work with animals.

I went to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro. My instructor and advisor, Dr. Tracy Hanner, was the first African American laboratory animal veterinarian in the state, and he introduced me to many areas of veterinary medicine, including laboratory animal medicine. I was accepted to North Carolina State University veterinary school. Being a cancer-center survivor enabled me to appreciate how precious life is. It also strengthened my interest in advocating for better lab animal welfare while treatments and cures for diseases that affect humans and animals are being developed. 

Following veterinary school, I completed two lab animal internships and a lab animal residency. I enjoy clinical practice, especially caring for exotic species. I am creative, and I like finding solutions to problems that are not necessarily written in a textbook. I also worked at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, where I thoroughly enjoyed working with a variety of marine animals. I especially enjoyed working with octopuses as I found their intelligence remarkably fascinating.

I have lost several pets, including many pet gerbils and fish. My most recent loss was my first dog, Kolki. He was diagnosed with lupus and cancer, which is very rare. No animal deserves to suffer. If I can relieve an animal's pain, then I have done my job. 

Outside of work, I enjoy anything that is creative and artistic, including reading, painting, baking, calligraphy, journaling, cooking, and knitting. I also like taking trips and having experiences with my loved ones.