In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Wilkes Barre - Scranton

I was born right here in Wilkes-Barre and raised in Shavertown. As a child, I enjoyed spending time outdoors, playing in the rain, snow and sun in the woodlands surrounding my house. The best part of my childhood was that I was also able to have pets, both dogs and cats, since before I can remember.

It was these pets that I had growing up that made me want to be a vet. The love, devotion, acceptance and joy of each of these animal companions brought unparalleled happiness to my life. They were bright lights in my world and to this day all hold a special and significant place in my heart. When I was four years old, my first cat, Cutie Pie, came home with an eye injury. My father and I treated her until she recovered. It was during one of her treatments I announced “I want to help animals.” That decision is one that I never veered away from.

Fast forward many years, and four moves cross country, including undergraduate studies at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), completing my veterinary degree at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, back to L.A. where I lived and worked as a general practitioner for many years, and today back to W-B again. As a general practitioner my joy through the years has been and continues to be, helping caring pet parents and their chosen furry family members thrive. Now I have chosen to focus on assisting these families through their last moments together; helping them have the most peaceful, dignified time possible.  

I made this transiti​on ​because it was heartbreaking to see so many people struggle to bring their terminally ill pets into the hospital. This stressful situation often results in an emergency situation where there is much stress, grief, and anxiety associated for both the family and their pet. It reminds me of the time when, as a teen, I had to rush my first dog to the local clinic where I later lost her. Then, I think of my most recent loss and how different the experience was for me. I was able to have my beloved cat of nineteen years pass peacefully at home, in her favorite chair and with her favorite people around her. Although a loss, this memory leaves me with such peace and the understanding of the incredible gift that in-home euthanasia provides.

These experiences have guided me to Lap of Love where I can help others to commemorate their pet’s passing with dignity and love in the comfort of their own home.

I grew up in downtown Chicago, on Lake Shore Drive, in one of the Mies van der Rohe buildings that are part of the famous skyline. In third grade, I moved to Winnetka, a northern suburb of Chicago. (Fun fact: Home Alone was filmed in Winnetka while I was in elementary school!)

I have been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be a zookeeper because we were frequent visitors to Lincoln Park Zoo. As I got older, I realized that I could combine my love of the biological sciences and my heart for animals to become a passionate veterinarian.

I graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. I attended the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine for my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

My favorite part of being a veterinarian is combining science, medicine, and creative problem-solving to improve an animal’s quality of life while strengthening the human-animal bond. In addition to my clinical work, I have written and published two books on mental health using techniques such as CBT, DBT, and ACT. This makes me especially adept at supporting pet owners who are navigating grief and the difficult decisions surrounding pet loss. I believe that offering my veterinary skills, combined with empathetic, non-judgmental listening, is a meaningful way to support families during one of their hardest days.

As a pet owner myself, I have experienced various euthanasia circumstances, including a negative experience with my childhood dog. Fortunately, the dignified and gentle passing of our beloved family mutt, Kunu, was a completely different experience. When it was time to say goodbye to Kunu, we called Lap of Love. Instead of taking Kunu to a stressful clinic filled with strangers, we said goodbye to him in his favorite spot: the end of our bed. Our cats also got to say goodbye, including Kunu’s favorite cat, Callie, who curled up beside him after he passed, purring her goodbyes.

Outside of veterinary medicine, I am an avid knitter, having been taught by my grandmother at age 9. I also love baking desserts, tending to my vegetable garden, birdwatching, and playing board games.