Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Laura Inman
I grew up in Spokane, Washington. I’ve been intrigued by the biology and behavior of pets, wildlife, and domestic farm animals since I was a kid. I was part of a 4-H club and showed my cats at county, state, and interstate fairs from elementary through high school. I was also given the opportunity to show other animals—from chickens to rabbits, pigs, dogs, cows, sheep, and goats—in Round Robin competitions. This nurtured my desire to dedicate my life to helping animals and supporting the human-animal bond.
I attended the University of Washington, where I majored in zoology and was given the opportunity to spend a summer studying howler monkey behavior in the Costa Rican rainforest. I then attended veterinary school at Washington State University. During vet school, I was part of the pet loss hotline club. This is where I had my first experiences providing families with support during the difficult loss of a beloved pet.
I love animals and enjoy supporting and guiding other like-minded people who enjoy animal companionship. In my career, I have worked in small animal general practice, where I had a special affinity for feline medicine, animal behavior, and surgery. I have more recently worked in the field of small animal genetics, improving the lives of pets and enhancing the human-animal bond.
I have lost several pets over the years. When my childhood cat passed, I was advised not to be present, and I regretted not saying a proper goodbye that honored our special relationship. When the time came for my vet school dog and cat to be euthanized, I was able to say goodbye at home, with my husband and kids. We had the time we needed to make it a comforting experience that honored our bond and cherished memories. After experiencing this difference myself, I feel honored to be able to provide the same comfort and peace of mind for other families..
When I am not working, I enjoy gardening, crafting, and photography. My biggest passion is traveling to see different places and experience different cultures and foods. I especially love making friends with and photographing street cats during my world travels!
About Dr. Kara Leavitt
Growing up in Sherwood, OR, animals were hugely important to my life. I was always surrounded by a menagerie of pets and I knew I would someday have a career working with animals. Over the years, my plans varied from marine biologist to farmer. As I grew older, it became evident that veterinary medicine was the perfect combination of my love for animals and science. My first job at 16 was cleaning kennels at a veterinary clinic, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I received my undergraduate degree from Oregon State University, and then spent two years living in rural Madagascar as a Peace Corps volunteer. There, my projects included rice intensification, a school garden, water sanitation, and girl empowerment. When I returned home, I resumed my studies and later graduated from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Following graduation, I worked as a mixed animal general practitioner, treating everything from cats to goats. My favorite part of general practice was the need for continual learning—every day brought something new. During my time in general practice, I found great fulfillment in guiding families through end-of-life decisions and helping pets pass peacefully. As a veterinarian, the ability to end a pet’s suffering is the most important part of my job. I have had two of my own pets—Max the dog and Walter the rabbit—euthanized at home, and they were undeniably calmer and more comfortable in their own space. I am honored to be allowed into homes to provide such a vital service for pets and their families.
Outside of work I enjoy exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest and spending time with my grumpy rescue rabbit named Dash.
About Dr. Jill Palmer
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/HerAbout Dr. Emily Thomas
I grew up in a small town on Lake Michigan, where I enjoyed the freedom of being able to explore the woods and beach near my childhood home. As a kid, I thought I would grow up to be an entomologist (i.e., insect scientist) or herpetologist (i.e., reptile scientist). I worked in a spider research lab in college and spent a year studying spotted hyenas in Kenya before deciding that research wasn't the long-term career I wanted, so I elected to go to veterinary school.
I attended undergraduate school at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon and veterinary school at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Vet school combined my love of animals, science, and medicine, and allowed me to spend quality time with some amazing pets and to see the magic of the human-animal bond every day.
After vet school, I worked in emergency medicine. While I loved helping pets and their families in difficult situations, I found that some of my most meaningful moments were helping geriatric or very ill pets find comfort and peace during end-of-life care. It is important to me that the euthanasia process goes smoothly and the families of these pets feel taken care of and supported. My goal is to always bring peace and comfort in these difficult moments.
I took over the care of a senior cat who was incredibly special to me for her last few years. Learning how to adapt to her changing needs taught me so much about caring for aging pets. This experience led to the dream of someday having an assisted living facility for older cats. I would love to take senior cats out of the shelter and into a comfortable, loving home for the remainder of their lives.
Outside of work, I love the outdoors and spend a lot of time hiking, backpacking, and trail running with my fiance. I am a lifelong runner and love the running community! I also love reading and always have a stack of books waiting for me on my bedside stand.
About Dr. Greg Robbins
I was born and raised in beautiful Miami, Florida. I have always loved science and animals and enjoyed a close relationship with my childhood pets. When it came time to decide on my life’s path, I decided the best use of my skills and affinity for science was to help my furry friends as a veterinarian.
I attended undergraduate school at the University of Chicago and Florida International University. When I decided to go to vet school, I thought attending a school outside the U.S. would be a great experience. So, I applied and was admitted to St. George's University in Grenada, West Indies, and performed my clinical year in Edinburgh, Scotland, to round out my cultural adventures.
I’ve had a varied career leading research efforts in botany, epidemiology, fish population studies, and food safety, and providing management consulting to independent veterinary hospital owners. My longest stint, however, was in small animal practice. I practiced for nearly 15 years at Rock Creek Veterinary Hospital in Portland, Oregon. While there, I developed interests in endocrinology and internal medicine, along with a strong affinity for hospice and end-of-life care.
My clients often asked how I handled the difficult emotions surrounding end-of-life care. For me, it wasn’t difficult to see that I was helping pets and their families. I felt honored to provide services that took away pain and suffering. I have lost pets myself, and the experience feels like losing a beloved family member. But no two pets or pet families are alike, and each deserves the compassionate care I can provide them through Lap of Love.
When I am not working, I enjoy relaxing with my wife, friends, and pets. I also enjoy reading, working in the yard, practicing martial arts, and completing art projects.
About Dr. Laura Inman
I grew up in Spokane, Washington. I’ve been intrigued by the biology and behavior of pets, wildlife, and domestic farm animals since I was a kid. I was part of a 4-H club and showed my cats at county, state, and interstate fairs from elementary through high school. I was also given the opportunity to show other animals—from chickens to rabbits, pigs, dogs, cows, sheep, and goats—in Round Robin competitions. This nurtured my desire to dedicate my life to helping animals and supporting the human-animal bond.
I attended the University of Washington, where I majored in zoology and was given the opportunity to spend a summer studying howler monkey behavior in the Costa Rican rainforest. I then attended veterinary school at Washington State University. During vet school, I was part of the pet loss hotline club. This is where I had my first experiences providing families with support during the difficult loss of a beloved pet.
I love animals and enjoy supporting and guiding other like-minded people who enjoy animal companionship. In my career, I have worked in small animal general practice, where I had a special affinity for feline medicine, animal behavior, and surgery. I have more recently worked in the field of small animal genetics, improving the lives of pets and enhancing the human-animal bond.
I have lost several pets over the years. When my childhood cat passed, I was advised not to be present, and I regretted not saying a proper goodbye that honored our special relationship. When the time came for my vet school dog and cat to be euthanized, I was able to say goodbye at home, with my husband and kids. We had the time we needed to make it a comforting experience that honored our bond and cherished memories. After experiencing this difference myself, I feel honored to be able to provide the same comfort and peace of mind for other families..
When I am not working, I enjoy gardening, crafting, and photography. My biggest passion is traveling to see different places and experience different cultures and foods. I especially love making friends with and photographing street cats during my world travels!
About Dr. Kara Leavitt
Growing up in Sherwood, OR, animals were hugely important to my life. I was always surrounded by a menagerie of pets and I knew I would someday have a career working with animals. Over the years, my plans varied from marine biologist to farmer. As I grew older, it became evident that veterinary medicine was the perfect combination of my love for animals and science. My first job at 16 was cleaning kennels at a veterinary clinic, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I received my undergraduate degree from Oregon State University, and then spent two years living in rural Madagascar as a Peace Corps volunteer. There, my projects included rice intensification, a school garden, water sanitation, and girl empowerment. When I returned home, I resumed my studies and later graduated from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Following graduation, I worked as a mixed animal general practitioner, treating everything from cats to goats. My favorite part of general practice was the need for continual learning—every day brought something new. During my time in general practice, I found great fulfillment in guiding families through end-of-life decisions and helping pets pass peacefully. As a veterinarian, the ability to end a pet’s suffering is the most important part of my job. I have had two of my own pets—Max the dog and Walter the rabbit—euthanized at home, and they were undeniably calmer and more comfortable in their own space. I am honored to be allowed into homes to provide such a vital service for pets and their families.
Outside of work I enjoy exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest and spending time with my grumpy rescue rabbit named Dash.
About Dr. Jill Palmer
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/HerAbout Dr. Emily Thomas
I grew up in a small town on Lake Michigan, where I enjoyed the freedom of being able to explore the woods and beach near my childhood home. As a kid, I thought I would grow up to be an entomologist (i.e., insect scientist) or herpetologist (i.e., reptile scientist). I worked in a spider research lab in college and spent a year studying spotted hyenas in Kenya before deciding that research wasn't the long-term career I wanted, so I elected to go to veterinary school.
I attended undergraduate school at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon and veterinary school at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Vet school combined my love of animals, science, and medicine, and allowed me to spend quality time with some amazing pets and to see the magic of the human-animal bond every day.
After vet school, I worked in emergency medicine. While I loved helping pets and their families in difficult situations, I found that some of my most meaningful moments were helping geriatric or very ill pets find comfort and peace during end-of-life care. It is important to me that the euthanasia process goes smoothly and the families of these pets feel taken care of and supported. My goal is to always bring peace and comfort in these difficult moments.
I took over the care of a senior cat who was incredibly special to me for her last few years. Learning how to adapt to her changing needs taught me so much about caring for aging pets. This experience led to the dream of someday having an assisted living facility for older cats. I would love to take senior cats out of the shelter and into a comfortable, loving home for the remainder of their lives.
Outside of work, I love the outdoors and spend a lot of time hiking, backpacking, and trail running with my fiance. I am a lifelong runner and love the running community! I also love reading and always have a stack of books waiting for me on my bedside stand.
About Dr. Greg Robbins
I was born and raised in beautiful Miami, Florida. I have always loved science and animals and enjoyed a close relationship with my childhood pets. When it came time to decide on my life’s path, I decided the best use of my skills and affinity for science was to help my furry friends as a veterinarian.
I attended undergraduate school at the University of Chicago and Florida International University. When I decided to go to vet school, I thought attending a school outside the U.S. would be a great experience. So, I applied and was admitted to St. George's University in Grenada, West Indies, and performed my clinical year in Edinburgh, Scotland, to round out my cultural adventures.
I’ve had a varied career leading research efforts in botany, epidemiology, fish population studies, and food safety, and providing management consulting to independent veterinary hospital owners. My longest stint, however, was in small animal practice. I practiced for nearly 15 years at Rock Creek Veterinary Hospital in Portland, Oregon. While there, I developed interests in endocrinology and internal medicine, along with a strong affinity for hospice and end-of-life care.
My clients often asked how I handled the difficult emotions surrounding end-of-life care. For me, it wasn’t difficult to see that I was helping pets and their families. I felt honored to provide services that took away pain and suffering. I have lost pets myself, and the experience feels like losing a beloved family member. But no two pets or pet families are alike, and each deserves the compassionate care I can provide them through Lap of Love.
When I am not working, I enjoy relaxing with my wife, friends, and pets. I also enjoy reading, working in the yard, practicing martial arts, and completing art projects.
About Dr. Laura Inman
I grew up in Spokane, Washington. I’ve been intrigued by the biology and behavior of pets, wildlife, and domestic farm animals since I was a kid. I was part of a 4-H club and showed my cats at county, state, and interstate fairs from elementary through high school. I was also given the opportunity to show other animals—from chickens to rabbits, pigs, dogs, cows, sheep, and goats—in Round Robin competitions. This nurtured my desire to dedicate my life to helping animals and supporting the human-animal bond.
I attended the University of Washington, where I majored in zoology and was given the opportunity to spend a summer studying howler monkey behavior in the Costa Rican rainforest. I then attended veterinary school at Washington State University. During vet school, I was part of the pet loss hotline club. This is where I had my first experiences providing families with support during the difficult loss of a beloved pet.
I love animals and enjoy supporting and guiding other like-minded people who enjoy animal companionship. In my career, I have worked in small animal general practice, where I had a special affinity for feline medicine, animal behavior, and surgery. I have more recently worked in the field of small animal genetics, improving the lives of pets and enhancing the human-animal bond.
I have lost several pets over the years. When my childhood cat passed, I was advised not to be present, and I regretted not saying a proper goodbye that honored our special relationship. When the time came for my vet school dog and cat to be euthanized, I was able to say goodbye at home, with my husband and kids. We had the time we needed to make it a comforting experience that honored our bond and cherished memories. After experiencing this difference myself, I feel honored to be able to provide the same comfort and peace of mind for other families..
When I am not working, I enjoy gardening, crafting, and photography. My biggest passion is traveling to see different places and experience different cultures and foods. I especially love making friends with and photographing street cats during my world travels!