Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Ella Richardson
I grew up in Palo Alto, California. From an early age, I was drawn to every kind of animal, but my parents refused to let us have pets. As I got older, I found ways to satisfy my fascination with animals by working with them.
I attended the University of California, Davis for my undergraduate degree. After college, I relocated to Southern California to attend veterinary school at Western University of Health Sciences.
After veterinary school, I completed a highly competitive small animal internship in Boston, Massachusetts. That led to a career in emergency and specialty medicine, which I maintained for many years. I loved the high-stakes problem-solving required in emergency care, and I’m proud to have helped many patients and families through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Experiencing end-of-life hospice care with a family member opened my eyes to what a privilege it is to be able to provide this kind of support for pets. End-of-life veterinary care offers more than just relief from suffering—it gives us a way to honor our pet's memory with dignity. I often anticipate the day I will have to say goodbye to my beloved heart cat, Owen, who I adopted in college- he’s been with me through multiple graduations, my engagement, and thousands of miles of travel spanning 17 states!
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiance and our two cats, Owen and Pistachio. I also enjoy traveling, listening to music, reading and watching a good docuseries or (gasp!) reality television.
About Dr. Jen Maniet
Growing up in Montgomery County with a menagerie of pets taught me how special the human-animal bond can be. From a young age I knew I not only wanted to be surrounded and enriched by pets for the rest of my life, but I also wanted to give back to them by being an advocate and voice for their needs.
My journey in the veterinary field started in Northeastern Pennsylvania and continued in Columbus, Ohio where I attended The Ohio State University and graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology with a focus in pre-veterinary medicine. I then went on to attend The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. During veterinary school I was a volunteer for the pet loss support hotline through which I supported families during the end of life process. This experience opened my eyes to the meaningful and important service we provide in this field.
After graduation, I went back to Southeastern Pennsylvania and for over a decade practiced general medicine in multiple hospitals and clinics. During my career I grew especially drawn to caring for geriatric pets and educating their families about this life stage. I always enjoyed hearing stories that families would share with me about their pets and their lives together. Throughout this time, I was also an adjunct instructor teaching veterinary nurses at the Manor College, Program of Veterinary Technology; and was a veterinarian in the pet insurance industry. I value my varied experiences as a veterinarian advocating for all pets and the veterinary profession; however, I always found myself being called back to the field of veterinary end of life care.
I decided to pursue this calling after I experienced my own beloved Kitty’s end of life journey. That experience and her passing made it clear to me that I wanted to dedicate my life to help pets and their families by walking with them through the hardest part of any life journey, a loved one’s end of life.
I believe our pets deserve the best care and all available options, knowledge, and support at the end to honor the lives they live. It is truly an honor for me to help preserve the human-animal bond between pets and their families during this difficult time.
About Dr. Erika McDonnell
I grew up on a farm in a small town called Pen Argyl in Pennsylvania with a love for animals, math, and science. With these passions, It’s probably no surprise that I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals when I grew up.
Following those passions, I headed to school to pursue a veterinary career, earning bachelor’s degrees in biology and government from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After completing my undergraduate studies, I attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where I earned my veterinariae medicinae doctoris (VMD)—a DVM degree with a fancy Latin twist currently only conferred on veterinarians who graduate from UPenn.
Working as a veterinarian in general practice, I enjoy using a multi-modal approach to help manage my pet patients’ pain, as I believe that just like humans, all animals are unique and require a tailored pain management plan. I love talking with clients about their animals and explaining their pets’ conditions and treatment in a way that is understandable and helpful. I believe that the more information someone has, the easier it is for them to care for their pet and make the best decisions to support their wellbeing.
I know from my own experience that sometimes, the best decision for an aging or chronically ill pet is the most difficult one a family has to make. Losing my sweet dog Kona at the age of 12 was incredibly hard, but I knew I was helping her by saying goodbye. As a part of the Lap of Love team, I look forward to supporting families through their pet’s end-of-life process, letting them know that they are not alone in their grief, and providing a peaceful and dignified passing for their beloved pet in the comfort of their home.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Justin, our daughters, Stella and Josie, our cat Bacon, and three dogs Charlie, Mavis, and Cooper. When I’m not watching Stella play soccer or Josie ride horses, I like to run and travel with my family.
About Dr. Ella Richardson
I grew up in Palo Alto, California. From an early age, I was drawn to every kind of animal, but my parents refused to let us have pets. As I got older, I found ways to satisfy my fascination with animals by working with them.
I attended the University of California, Davis for my undergraduate degree. After college, I relocated to Southern California to attend veterinary school at Western University of Health Sciences.
After veterinary school, I completed a highly competitive small animal internship in Boston, Massachusetts. That led to a career in emergency and specialty medicine, which I maintained for many years. I loved the high-stakes problem-solving required in emergency care, and I’m proud to have helped many patients and families through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Experiencing end-of-life hospice care with a family member opened my eyes to what a privilege it is to be able to provide this kind of support for pets. End-of-life veterinary care offers more than just relief from suffering—it gives us a way to honor our pet's memory with dignity. I often anticipate the day I will have to say goodbye to my beloved heart cat, Owen, who I adopted in college- he’s been with me through multiple graduations, my engagement, and thousands of miles of travel spanning 17 states!
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiance and our two cats, Owen and Pistachio. I also enjoy traveling, listening to music, reading and watching a good docuseries or (gasp!) reality television.
About Dr. Jen Maniet
Growing up in Montgomery County with a menagerie of pets taught me how special the human-animal bond can be. From a young age I knew I not only wanted to be surrounded and enriched by pets for the rest of my life, but I also wanted to give back to them by being an advocate and voice for their needs.
My journey in the veterinary field started in Northeastern Pennsylvania and continued in Columbus, Ohio where I attended The Ohio State University and graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology with a focus in pre-veterinary medicine. I then went on to attend The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. During veterinary school I was a volunteer for the pet loss support hotline through which I supported families during the end of life process. This experience opened my eyes to the meaningful and important service we provide in this field.
After graduation, I went back to Southeastern Pennsylvania and for over a decade practiced general medicine in multiple hospitals and clinics. During my career I grew especially drawn to caring for geriatric pets and educating their families about this life stage. I always enjoyed hearing stories that families would share with me about their pets and their lives together. Throughout this time, I was also an adjunct instructor teaching veterinary nurses at the Manor College, Program of Veterinary Technology; and was a veterinarian in the pet insurance industry. I value my varied experiences as a veterinarian advocating for all pets and the veterinary profession; however, I always found myself being called back to the field of veterinary end of life care.
I decided to pursue this calling after I experienced my own beloved Kitty’s end of life journey. That experience and her passing made it clear to me that I wanted to dedicate my life to help pets and their families by walking with them through the hardest part of any life journey, a loved one’s end of life.
I believe our pets deserve the best care and all available options, knowledge, and support at the end to honor the lives they live. It is truly an honor for me to help preserve the human-animal bond between pets and their families during this difficult time.
About Dr. Erika McDonnell
I grew up on a farm in a small town called Pen Argyl in Pennsylvania with a love for animals, math, and science. With these passions, It’s probably no surprise that I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals when I grew up.
Following those passions, I headed to school to pursue a veterinary career, earning bachelor’s degrees in biology and government from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After completing my undergraduate studies, I attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where I earned my veterinariae medicinae doctoris (VMD)—a DVM degree with a fancy Latin twist currently only conferred on veterinarians who graduate from UPenn.
Working as a veterinarian in general practice, I enjoy using a multi-modal approach to help manage my pet patients’ pain, as I believe that just like humans, all animals are unique and require a tailored pain management plan. I love talking with clients about their animals and explaining their pets’ conditions and treatment in a way that is understandable and helpful. I believe that the more information someone has, the easier it is for them to care for their pet and make the best decisions to support their wellbeing.
I know from my own experience that sometimes, the best decision for an aging or chronically ill pet is the most difficult one a family has to make. Losing my sweet dog Kona at the age of 12 was incredibly hard, but I knew I was helping her by saying goodbye. As a part of the Lap of Love team, I look forward to supporting families through their pet’s end-of-life process, letting them know that they are not alone in their grief, and providing a peaceful and dignified passing for their beloved pet in the comfort of their home.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Justin, our daughters, Stella and Josie, our cat Bacon, and three dogs Charlie, Mavis, and Cooper. When I’m not watching Stella play soccer or Josie ride horses, I like to run and travel with my family.
About Dr. Ella Richardson
I grew up in Palo Alto, California. From an early age, I was drawn to every kind of animal, but my parents refused to let us have pets. As I got older, I found ways to satisfy my fascination with animals by working with them.
I attended the University of California, Davis for my undergraduate degree. After college, I relocated to Southern California to attend veterinary school at Western University of Health Sciences.
After veterinary school, I completed a highly competitive small animal internship in Boston, Massachusetts. That led to a career in emergency and specialty medicine, which I maintained for many years. I loved the high-stakes problem-solving required in emergency care, and I’m proud to have helped many patients and families through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Experiencing end-of-life hospice care with a family member opened my eyes to what a privilege it is to be able to provide this kind of support for pets. End-of-life veterinary care offers more than just relief from suffering—it gives us a way to honor our pet's memory with dignity. I often anticipate the day I will have to say goodbye to my beloved heart cat, Owen, who I adopted in college- he’s been with me through multiple graduations, my engagement, and thousands of miles of travel spanning 17 states!
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiance and our two cats, Owen and Pistachio. I also enjoy traveling, listening to music, reading and watching a good docuseries or (gasp!) reality television.