I was born and raised in Minnesota. My family moved from the city to the country when I was very young so we could have pets. We started with dogs, and then added horses, rabbits, and sheep to our little farm. I loved caring for all of them. I decided I wanted to be a veterinarian at a young age, and was inspired by the veterinarians who came out to the farm to help us with various animal health issues.

We moved to Oregon when I was in high school, after selling off most of the menagerie. Following family tradition, I went to nursing school straight out of high school. I completed nursing school at Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center School of Nursing, and then completed a bachelor’s degree in biology with a language minor at Western Oregon State College, now Western Oregon University. After working for several years, mostly in intensive care and critical care, I decided to pursue my original dream of attending veterinary school. I graduated in 1995 from Oregon State University and Washington State University Colleges of Veterinary Medicine when their programs were combined. My work in the veterinary and nursing fields overlapped for eight years.

I practiced in a mixed animal practice right out of vet school, where I most enjoyed internal medicine. I went on to work for the State of Oregon and then the federal government, handling animal health and welfare issues. My side work since 2016 has involved working with an animal sanctuary for mostly senior and hospice animals, as well as animals with chronic health and behavior issues.

I have been surrounded by animals since childhood, and the heartache of losing them has always been difficult. In my experience, having the option of private end-of-life care has been a huge comfort, and I am honored to provide this service to pets and their families.