In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Mid-Hudson Valley

I am originally from a small rural town in Northeast Pennsylvania. I spent much of my childhood on the Delaware River and exploring the woods of Pike County. I have always enjoyed being around animals, but my mother's allergies prevented me from having the big dog I’d wanted as a child. Fortunately, after some bargaining, we adopted a Bichon Frise named Chili.

While I have always been passionate about agriculture, animals, and the human-animal bond, my journey to becoming a veterinarian began later in college. As I became more interested in population health and medicine, I realized that veterinary medicine would be a fulfilling career that combined all my interests.

I earned my bachelor's degree in animal science from Delaware Valley University and my doctorate of veterinary medicine degree from Iowa State University. While in vet school, I also completed my master's degree in public health from the University of Iowa.

Before relocating closer to home and joining Lap of Love, I practiced as a large animal ambulatory veterinarian and provided in-home euthanasia for pets in upstate New York. I enjoy connecting with clients and troubleshooting concerns for their animals.

End-of-life care is deeply personal to me. While I was away at college, our beloved Chili suffered a decline in his quality of life. The decision to limit his pain was not easy and involved everyone in our family. I understand the heartbreak that occurs when a beloved pet has passed on; however, I believe that closing this stage of life at home can provide additional comfort that can’t be achieved in a hospital setting.

End-of-life decisions for our pets can be a heavy weight to carry. As a veterinarian, I am honored to join pet owners during this time and provide a peaceful transition with care and compassion for everyone involved. 

In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my pitbull mix, Stella, baking, snowboarding in the winter, and traveling across the U.S. with family and friends.

I grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, in the beautiful Mid-Hudson Valley. I loved animals, and accompanying our family pets to the vet fascinated me. During high school, I moved to Hamden, Connecticut. There, I discovered an interest in science and biology. I combined that interest with my love for animals and found my path to veterinary medicine. I graduated from Roger Williams College (now University) in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1991 and from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. 

After graduating, I practiced small animal general medicine for a short time in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before completing an internship in medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. I then pursued a residency in emergency and critical care, became board-certified, and returned to Oradell Animal Hospital, where I practiced for more than two decades.  

I truly love emergency and critical care medicine, which allows me to care for patients while providing their owners and families with support, empathy, and guidance when they need it most. End-of-life care is closely intertwined with emergency medicine, and I am always awed by the power of the human-animal bond at the end of a pet's life. 

Witnessing this deep love led me to become a Lap of Love provider. As a child, I remember our sick pets going to the vet and not coming home, which left me with lingering questions. Now, I have experienced both natural and planned pet loss, and believe that euthanasia is a gift. A truly peaceful passing honors the pet and provides comfort to the people they leave behind.

My favorite thing to do outside of work is to grab dinner with friends or family. I also enjoy movies, binge-watching TV series, going to the gym, taking yoga classes, and traveling.