Winston-Salem & Surrounding Neighborhoods

Like many in the veterinary field, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age. Born and raised in Michigan, I attended undergraduate and veterinary school at Michigan State University (go Spartans!). After graduation, I went to Sacramento, California to complete a year-long internship, rotating between medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine with various specialists. In 2004, I returned to Michigan, where I worked in a busy small animal practice, performing medicine and surgery for 17 years. I became a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner (CCRP) in 2014, and split my time between general medicine and physical therapy. 

In 2018, I had to provide hospice care for my beloved black Labrador retriever. Sterling was a cross between a child and a partner. He saw me through the end of my internship—he was my first patient with parvo—a marriage, and divorce, and he went to work with me every day for 15 years! I was blessed to have him, learn from him, and care for him. He had a very dignified, peaceful, comfortable passing in his favorite place on June 4, 2019, surrounded by his favorite people, and our cat. He enjoyed his favorite foods—ice cream and cheese—and it was an experience of pure love. I want this for every pet I help. 

I began my hospice journey during Sterling’s twilight years, and I completed my certified hospice and palliative care veterinarian (CHPV) certification in August 2020. I also completed my certified veterinary pain practitioner (CVPP) certification in September 2020, after a personal experience battling chronic nerve pain compelled me to dive deep to learn more about pain management. These experiences fed my passion to help animals lead more comfortable lives. It is also my passion to help people, and Lap of Love brings together my academic interests with my deep and heartfelt belief that a pet’s passing is a sacred event. I am here to serve the families who have to make this often-difficult decision, and I bring support and love to the process.