I grew up in the small town of Cope, South Carolina. From an early age, I developed a strong bond with all animals and a natural caregiving instinct. At 8 years old, I asked our family vet if I could work for him. He said to come back when I was 10, so on my 10th birthday, I showed up on his doorstep in new scrubs and hand-painted Keds.

The shoes didn’t last, but my love of veterinary medicine did. I earned my undergraduate degree from Clemson University and then graduated from veterinary school at Tuskegee University in 2015. I’ve worked in many areas of veterinary medicine, including small animal general practice and emergency care.

My animals mean the world to me, and as a veterinarian, I support and strengthen these relationships in others. As a young child, I bonded closely with a puppy I named Rolly. She passed away suddenly one day, and just like that, my best friend was gone. I knew then I would never find that sort of friendship with another human and that the human-animal bond was special.

During my time as a practicing veterinarian, I have seen beautiful endings to the lives of many wonderful animals, and they’ve touched me in ways that words cannot express. I’ve also lost many of my own pets, each taking a small piece of my heart and replacing it with little pawprints that make me a better person and friend.

My interest in end-of-life care for pets stems from these experiences, but was solidified after seeing my grandmother in hospice care. She was provided with dignity and comfort in her final days, and I knew that as a veterinarian, I could do the same for my patients. Through my work with Lap of Love, I offer pets a peaceful end to suffering and pain, and help families in their time of need.

At home, I am an unapologetic “crazy plant lady.” I love succulents and cacti, being outdoors, gardening, and hiking with my furbabies. I enjoy listening to audiobooks and trying to balance my love of historical fiction with uplifting and educational stories. I also like to binge-watch TV with a blanket and as many pets as possible on my lap.

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