I was born in New York, and then moved to the large suburban city of Coral Springs in South Florida. Growing up, we always had dogs and cats, and they were part of the family. I was the child who rescued injured baby birds and other animals, and brought them to local veterinary clinics for care. Like many kids, I declared, "I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up!" and I’m thrilled that I was able to follow that career path.

I attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for my undergraduate work , where I studied biological anthropology and zoology. After graduating, I completed veterinary school at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

For nearly twenty years, I have worked in small animal practice, happily spending 17 of those years at the same practice. I love the relationships I form with families and their pets, and I have always enjoyed watching my patients grow from puppies to seniors. I can tailor my patients’ care throughout their lives to ensure they are happy and comfortable, and being able to help families navigate their pet’s life journey, from beginning to end, is a wonderful experience.

I have experienced the extremes of pet loss. I had to euthanize my beloved rescue dog at an emergency hospital in a very chaotic setting, and it was not an experience I would wish on anyone. In contrast, the euthanasia of my special senior German shorthair pointer in a grassy outdoor field was an amazing and peaceful experience. Having lost pets of my own, I know how much a guiding hand can help people through this difficult experience, and I feel fortunate to be able to support families and their pets through my role at Lap of Love.

In my free time, I enjoy running with my active German shorthair pointer through Forest Park, and when the weather is nice, I enjoy hiking. During the wet winter you can find me playing board games with my family, reading, and snowboarding on Mt. Hood!

Pronouns: She/Her