Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Cameron Steffen
I grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I have always loved math and science. I spent my high school summers at the National Institutes of Health and was fascinated by comparative animal studies—for example, why seals and sea lions can resurface from the depths of the ocean without getting the bends, and why large African cats with FIV don’t succumb to secondary disease as often as people with HIV. I initially wanted to become a veterinarian so I could orchestrate studies benefiting humans and animals. However, I enjoyed working with clients and patients so much that I decided to pursue clinical practice.
I attended Bucknell University for my undergraduate degree in cell biology and biochemistry, and The Royal Veterinary College, University of London in England for my veterinary degree. I particularly enjoy internal medicine, alternative medicine, dentistry, abdominal ultrasound, and soft tissue surgery. I also perform acupuncture and recommend herbal supplements based on patient evaluation.
My soul dog, Maryland, declined rapidly after 13 years, and I had her evaluated at an emergency veterinary clinic. She was diagnosed with an acute, rapidly progressive disease with a poor prognosis. When she did not improve in 24 hours, I took her home so she could spend her last moments surrounded by family and friends. I really don't recall much about my colleague who performed the euthanasia being there, but I recall my family and friends, and Maryland passing away peacefully. I feel that is how it should be. I like providing this same experience for other families because they are not rushed, and the pet is in their home, where their family is comfortable and unafraid. I am honored to provide families this compassion, quietness, and time to mourn.
When I am not working, I enjoy being with my husband and animals, cycling, traveling, working on home remodeling projects and mixed-media art, and spending time with my family and friends.
About Dr. Beth Ruggles
I wanted to be a veterinarian from my very earliest years. I could always be found having fun with animals. I used to love to walk around my neighborhood talking to squirrels, tape recording dogs barking, finding stray animals, and climbing trees to observe the wildlife. I spent hours training, grooming, and playing with Greta, my childhood dog. She was truly my best friend and was with me until my first year of veterinary school, when we finally had to say goodbye. While it was the hardest day of my life to that point, it was also the moment I understood the kindness of ending a loved pet’s suffering.
I was born and raised in the Buckeye State and I attended the Ohio State University for both undergraduate and veterinary school and loved my experience there. I moved to Central Kentucky many years ago, raised two wonderful children, and now find myself able to return to Ohio to do the meaningful work I have always wanted to do.
I consider being a veterinarian with Lap of Love to be the perfect marriage of all the best of my profession. I love hearing the stories of my clients’ connection to their pet—their best, funniest, sweetest memories. It is an honor to be the one to bring love and peace to my clients and their beloved pets at this very difficult time.
About Dr. Meredith Leary
I grew up in the quintessential small New England town of Holliston, Massachusetts. As soon as I knew what a veterinarian was, I wanted to be one.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado State University and my veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. I grew up riding horses and originally wanted to be an equine vet or the modern-day, female equivalent of James Herriot, but I discovered a passion for small animal emergency medicine during veterinary school and never looked back.
As a board-certified specialist in small animal emergency and critical care medicine and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC), I enjoy the challenge of providing top-notch medical care to pets in their time of greatest need and educating owners so that they can feel comfortable making informed decisions for their pet. I find counseling families through the emotional roller coaster of having a critically ill pet to be particularly gratifying.
During my time as an emergency and critical care veterinarian, I have witnessed the heartbreak of countless families who were unable to be present with their pet when they passed. I believe that giving our pets a calm, peaceful passing surrounded by those who love them is the very least we can do to say "thank you" for a lifetime of love and the greatest parting gift we can give.
Outside of work, I enjoy practicing taekwondo. I am a first-degree black belt and am training to become a certified Songahm taekwondo Instructor. I also enjoy riding horses, traveling, organic gardening, cooking plant-based foods, and all sorts of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and kayaking.
About Dr. Cameron Steffen
I grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I have always loved math and science. I spent my high school summers at the National Institutes of Health and was fascinated by comparative animal studies—for example, why seals and sea lions can resurface from the depths of the ocean without getting the bends, and why large African cats with FIV don’t succumb to secondary disease as often as people with HIV. I initially wanted to become a veterinarian so I could orchestrate studies benefiting humans and animals. However, I enjoyed working with clients and patients so much that I decided to pursue clinical practice.
I attended Bucknell University for my undergraduate degree in cell biology and biochemistry, and The Royal Veterinary College, University of London in England for my veterinary degree. I particularly enjoy internal medicine, alternative medicine, dentistry, abdominal ultrasound, and soft tissue surgery. I also perform acupuncture and recommend herbal supplements based on patient evaluation.
My soul dog, Maryland, declined rapidly after 13 years, and I had her evaluated at an emergency veterinary clinic. She was diagnosed with an acute, rapidly progressive disease with a poor prognosis. When she did not improve in 24 hours, I took her home so she could spend her last moments surrounded by family and friends. I really don't recall much about my colleague who performed the euthanasia being there, but I recall my family and friends, and Maryland passing away peacefully. I feel that is how it should be. I like providing this same experience for other families because they are not rushed, and the pet is in their home, where their family is comfortable and unafraid. I am honored to provide families this compassion, quietness, and time to mourn.
When I am not working, I enjoy being with my husband and animals, cycling, traveling, working on home remodeling projects and mixed-media art, and spending time with my family and friends.
About Dr. Beth Ruggles
I wanted to be a veterinarian from my very earliest years. I could always be found having fun with animals. I used to love to walk around my neighborhood talking to squirrels, tape recording dogs barking, finding stray animals, and climbing trees to observe the wildlife. I spent hours training, grooming, and playing with Greta, my childhood dog. She was truly my best friend and was with me until my first year of veterinary school, when we finally had to say goodbye. While it was the hardest day of my life to that point, it was also the moment I understood the kindness of ending a loved pet’s suffering.
I was born and raised in the Buckeye State and I attended the Ohio State University for both undergraduate and veterinary school and loved my experience there. I moved to Central Kentucky many years ago, raised two wonderful children, and now find myself able to return to Ohio to do the meaningful work I have always wanted to do.
I consider being a veterinarian with Lap of Love to be the perfect marriage of all the best of my profession. I love hearing the stories of my clients’ connection to their pet—their best, funniest, sweetest memories. It is an honor to be the one to bring love and peace to my clients and their beloved pets at this very difficult time.
About Dr. Meredith Leary
I grew up in the quintessential small New England town of Holliston, Massachusetts. As soon as I knew what a veterinarian was, I wanted to be one.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado State University and my veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. I grew up riding horses and originally wanted to be an equine vet or the modern-day, female equivalent of James Herriot, but I discovered a passion for small animal emergency medicine during veterinary school and never looked back.
As a board-certified specialist in small animal emergency and critical care medicine and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC), I enjoy the challenge of providing top-notch medical care to pets in their time of greatest need and educating owners so that they can feel comfortable making informed decisions for their pet. I find counseling families through the emotional roller coaster of having a critically ill pet to be particularly gratifying.
During my time as an emergency and critical care veterinarian, I have witnessed the heartbreak of countless families who were unable to be present with their pet when they passed. I believe that giving our pets a calm, peaceful passing surrounded by those who love them is the very least we can do to say "thank you" for a lifetime of love and the greatest parting gift we can give.
Outside of work, I enjoy practicing taekwondo. I am a first-degree black belt and am training to become a certified Songahm taekwondo Instructor. I also enjoy riding horses, traveling, organic gardening, cooking plant-based foods, and all sorts of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and kayaking.
About Dr. Cameron Steffen
I grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I have always loved math and science. I spent my high school summers at the National Institutes of Health and was fascinated by comparative animal studies—for example, why seals and sea lions can resurface from the depths of the ocean without getting the bends, and why large African cats with FIV don’t succumb to secondary disease as often as people with HIV. I initially wanted to become a veterinarian so I could orchestrate studies benefiting humans and animals. However, I enjoyed working with clients and patients so much that I decided to pursue clinical practice.
I attended Bucknell University for my undergraduate degree in cell biology and biochemistry, and The Royal Veterinary College, University of London in England for my veterinary degree. I particularly enjoy internal medicine, alternative medicine, dentistry, abdominal ultrasound, and soft tissue surgery. I also perform acupuncture and recommend herbal supplements based on patient evaluation.
My soul dog, Maryland, declined rapidly after 13 years, and I had her evaluated at an emergency veterinary clinic. She was diagnosed with an acute, rapidly progressive disease with a poor prognosis. When she did not improve in 24 hours, I took her home so she could spend her last moments surrounded by family and friends. I really don't recall much about my colleague who performed the euthanasia being there, but I recall my family and friends, and Maryland passing away peacefully. I feel that is how it should be. I like providing this same experience for other families because they are not rushed, and the pet is in their home, where their family is comfortable and unafraid. I am honored to provide families this compassion, quietness, and time to mourn.
When I am not working, I enjoy being with my husband and animals, cycling, traveling, working on home remodeling projects and mixed-media art, and spending time with my family and friends.