Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Kimberly Martin
I grew up in Dallas, Texas. My family always had cats growing up, and I loved collecting educational brochures from the vet’s office and learning about different animal diseases. I had a keen interest in health and also used to read my older sister’s health class textbook.
Veterinary medicine allowed me to combine my love for animals and science. I completed my undergraduate degree in biology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and my veterinary degree from Texas A&M University. During college, I volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation facility, and adopted a kitten that was dropped off at the rehab center. After vet school, I worked in small animal general practice for about 15 years. I enjoy the variety of seeing different problems every day and the reward of making sick pets feel better.
I euthanized my cat, Pumsy, about 10 years ago when her quality of life started to slip. My boss helped me euthanize her and then sent me home for the day so I didn’t have to work through my grief. My father had early onset Alzheimer’s, and in the days before he passed hospice nurses took care of him around the clock. My boss’s compassion in helping me send Pumsy over the rainbow bridge and the nurses diligently controlling my father’s discomfort and anxiety made those hard days more bearable. That sort of comfort is invaluable to families of both pets and people.
Our pets are an important part of our lives, and letting them go is so hard. I see euthanasia as a way to honor that bond because we can choose to let them go peacefully, surrounded by love. I am honored to be a part of such a poignant moment for my patients and their families and am gratified when I can provide some comfort to the families.
When I’m not working, I am an avid reader and often have my nose in a book. I also like to take my dog, Natrium, to the dog park (where she prefers to greet people rather than play with other dogs) and relax with family and friends at the pool.
About Dr. Jessica Bollinger
As a fellow pet lover and guardian, I understand how important having a peaceful and gentle goodbye for our furry family members in the comfort of home is. Pets are much more relaxed when they are surrounded by their loved ones in their favorite spot, and it is an honor to be able to provide this gift.
I have personally lost my best friend, Pepper, and having the ability to be at home with Pepper in her final moments made the heartbreaking process of losing her a little easier. My personal experience also inspired me to want to help make the last chapter of a pet’s life the most comfortable and pain-free through hospice and euthanasia services. I have provided end of life care for more than 5 years and every pet and their family truly hold a very a special place in my heart.
Outside of doing this important work, my husband and I take care of four special cats. Trixie is my oldest cat, and we are beginning to experience those golden years with her. Falcon, Klaus, and Roger run the house together, keeping us on our toes. I also love to cook, make arts and crafts, and explore the town, meeting new friends!
About Dr. Faye Sparks
I grew up in rural North Carolina with two dogs and a cattle farm next door. I’ve always loved animals and have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. I learned a lot as a child through bottle-feeding the baby calves next door, herding cattle, and raising rabbits.
After graduating from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in many places, from the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina area to Plano, Texas. Over the years, our family grew by two wonderful daughters. I spent several years in Austin focused on raising them before stepping back into my veterinarian shoes here in the DFW area.
I’ve always enjoyed preventative medicine and educating pet owners about how to prevent disease, parasites, and behavior problems but when I went back to work, I realized that my patients were, on average, about 12 years old. That’s when I became interested in the importance of preserving their quality of life through dental care, weight control, and environmental modifications. When I heard about hospice care and Lap of Love from the Co-Founder, Dr. Mary Gardner, at a continuing education session, I knew I was meant to do this profound and incredible work. Making the last months more comfortable for my patients and helping their parents prepare for the inevitable farewell became my new focus. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, my outlook on life is drastically different now. I know what it’s like to be ill and preserving the quality of life and dignity of a pet is very important to me. I have always viewed euthanasia as a privilege because I can help our furry children pass with dignity and peace that humans are not always afforded. Being able to get their angel wings in familiar surroundings is a gift I can give them and their human companions. I truly am honored to be there for you and your family.
About Dr. Travis Christ
I grew up in Louisiana in a small town called Haughton, where my three siblings and I always had something to do or somewhere to explore. I’ve always known I would become a veterinarian. In childhood, when things were difficult, my dog would rest her forehead on my chest. I knew if animals were so sensitive to others’ suffering, I could be sensitive to their suffering, as well. When I was old enough, I became a veterinary assistant at the local animal clinic.
Working while I was in school helped me learn the science as well as the social skills needed to provide space for healing. I spent three years as an undergrad at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and applied to grad school at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU-SVM) in Baton Rouge before receiving my veterinary doctorate in 2016.
General practice satisfies my soul's craving for intimate connections. Having the chance to walk pet owners through their pet’s process so they understand is so special. I began with full-time work and after three years became relief-based, traveling all over California for work. Different environments provided the well-roundedness I wanted to continue my journey to Lap of Love.
I wasn’t present when I lost my first pet. I was abroad on a veterinary trip to Rwanda when my little white terrier was hit by a car. I was devastated that I couldn’t be present to ensure my dog didn’t suffer during the passing. After years of giving people what I was not given, I have learned that we can ensure, as much as possible, that everyone involved in the experience of saying goodbye finds closure.
As a healer, I have never experienced such unconditional love, and I believe protecting love is at the core of what we do. To be the person who holds the door open for another means so much to me. We never know the burdens that each person carries and helping to soften life in any way is noble. I do this work because I have love in my heart.
Outside work, I love to camp, hike, and paddleboard. My dogs and cat all come, and we take turns leading the way. When I'm not moving, I enjoy the stillness of meditation, and I also enjoy exercises like yoga and running when I can incorporate mindfulness.
About Dr. Kimberly Martin
I grew up in Dallas, Texas. My family always had cats growing up, and I loved collecting educational brochures from the vet’s office and learning about different animal diseases. I had a keen interest in health and also used to read my older sister’s health class textbook.
Veterinary medicine allowed me to combine my love for animals and science. I completed my undergraduate degree in biology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and my veterinary degree from Texas A&M University. During college, I volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation facility, and adopted a kitten that was dropped off at the rehab center. After vet school, I worked in small animal general practice for about 15 years. I enjoy the variety of seeing different problems every day and the reward of making sick pets feel better.
I euthanized my cat, Pumsy, about 10 years ago when her quality of life started to slip. My boss helped me euthanize her and then sent me home for the day so I didn’t have to work through my grief. My father had early onset Alzheimer’s, and in the days before he passed hospice nurses took care of him around the clock. My boss’s compassion in helping me send Pumsy over the rainbow bridge and the nurses diligently controlling my father’s discomfort and anxiety made those hard days more bearable. That sort of comfort is invaluable to families of both pets and people.
Our pets are an important part of our lives, and letting them go is so hard. I see euthanasia as a way to honor that bond because we can choose to let them go peacefully, surrounded by love. I am honored to be a part of such a poignant moment for my patients and their families and am gratified when I can provide some comfort to the families.
When I’m not working, I am an avid reader and often have my nose in a book. I also like to take my dog, Natrium, to the dog park (where she prefers to greet people rather than play with other dogs) and relax with family and friends at the pool.
About Dr. Jessica Bollinger
As a fellow pet lover and guardian, I understand how important having a peaceful and gentle goodbye for our furry family members in the comfort of home is. Pets are much more relaxed when they are surrounded by their loved ones in their favorite spot, and it is an honor to be able to provide this gift.
I have personally lost my best friend, Pepper, and having the ability to be at home with Pepper in her final moments made the heartbreaking process of losing her a little easier. My personal experience also inspired me to want to help make the last chapter of a pet’s life the most comfortable and pain-free through hospice and euthanasia services. I have provided end of life care for more than 5 years and every pet and their family truly hold a very a special place in my heart.
Outside of doing this important work, my husband and I take care of four special cats. Trixie is my oldest cat, and we are beginning to experience those golden years with her. Falcon, Klaus, and Roger run the house together, keeping us on our toes. I also love to cook, make arts and crafts, and explore the town, meeting new friends!
About Dr. Faye Sparks
I grew up in rural North Carolina with two dogs and a cattle farm next door. I’ve always loved animals and have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. I learned a lot as a child through bottle-feeding the baby calves next door, herding cattle, and raising rabbits.
After graduating from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in many places, from the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina area to Plano, Texas. Over the years, our family grew by two wonderful daughters. I spent several years in Austin focused on raising them before stepping back into my veterinarian shoes here in the DFW area.
I’ve always enjoyed preventative medicine and educating pet owners about how to prevent disease, parasites, and behavior problems but when I went back to work, I realized that my patients were, on average, about 12 years old. That’s when I became interested in the importance of preserving their quality of life through dental care, weight control, and environmental modifications. When I heard about hospice care and Lap of Love from the Co-Founder, Dr. Mary Gardner, at a continuing education session, I knew I was meant to do this profound and incredible work. Making the last months more comfortable for my patients and helping their parents prepare for the inevitable farewell became my new focus. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, my outlook on life is drastically different now. I know what it’s like to be ill and preserving the quality of life and dignity of a pet is very important to me. I have always viewed euthanasia as a privilege because I can help our furry children pass with dignity and peace that humans are not always afforded. Being able to get their angel wings in familiar surroundings is a gift I can give them and their human companions. I truly am honored to be there for you and your family.
About Dr. Travis Christ
I grew up in Louisiana in a small town called Haughton, where my three siblings and I always had something to do or somewhere to explore. I’ve always known I would become a veterinarian. In childhood, when things were difficult, my dog would rest her forehead on my chest. I knew if animals were so sensitive to others’ suffering, I could be sensitive to their suffering, as well. When I was old enough, I became a veterinary assistant at the local animal clinic.
Working while I was in school helped me learn the science as well as the social skills needed to provide space for healing. I spent three years as an undergrad at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and applied to grad school at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU-SVM) in Baton Rouge before receiving my veterinary doctorate in 2016.
General practice satisfies my soul's craving for intimate connections. Having the chance to walk pet owners through their pet’s process so they understand is so special. I began with full-time work and after three years became relief-based, traveling all over California for work. Different environments provided the well-roundedness I wanted to continue my journey to Lap of Love.
I wasn’t present when I lost my first pet. I was abroad on a veterinary trip to Rwanda when my little white terrier was hit by a car. I was devastated that I couldn’t be present to ensure my dog didn’t suffer during the passing. After years of giving people what I was not given, I have learned that we can ensure, as much as possible, that everyone involved in the experience of saying goodbye finds closure.
As a healer, I have never experienced such unconditional love, and I believe protecting love is at the core of what we do. To be the person who holds the door open for another means so much to me. We never know the burdens that each person carries and helping to soften life in any way is noble. I do this work because I have love in my heart.
Outside work, I love to camp, hike, and paddleboard. My dogs and cat all come, and we take turns leading the way. When I'm not moving, I enjoy the stillness of meditation, and I also enjoy exercises like yoga and running when I can incorporate mindfulness.
About Dr. Kimberly Martin
I grew up in Dallas, Texas. My family always had cats growing up, and I loved collecting educational brochures from the vet’s office and learning about different animal diseases. I had a keen interest in health and also used to read my older sister’s health class textbook.
Veterinary medicine allowed me to combine my love for animals and science. I completed my undergraduate degree in biology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and my veterinary degree from Texas A&M University. During college, I volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation facility, and adopted a kitten that was dropped off at the rehab center. After vet school, I worked in small animal general practice for about 15 years. I enjoy the variety of seeing different problems every day and the reward of making sick pets feel better.
I euthanized my cat, Pumsy, about 10 years ago when her quality of life started to slip. My boss helped me euthanize her and then sent me home for the day so I didn’t have to work through my grief. My father had early onset Alzheimer’s, and in the days before he passed hospice nurses took care of him around the clock. My boss’s compassion in helping me send Pumsy over the rainbow bridge and the nurses diligently controlling my father’s discomfort and anxiety made those hard days more bearable. That sort of comfort is invaluable to families of both pets and people.
Our pets are an important part of our lives, and letting them go is so hard. I see euthanasia as a way to honor that bond because we can choose to let them go peacefully, surrounded by love. I am honored to be a part of such a poignant moment for my patients and their families and am gratified when I can provide some comfort to the families.
When I’m not working, I am an avid reader and often have my nose in a book. I also like to take my dog, Natrium, to the dog park (where she prefers to greet people rather than play with other dogs) and relax with family and friends at the pool.