To me, home is wherever I am. So far in my life, I've lived in 14 states and one overseas location.

I feel like I'm one of the few veterinarians who didn’t want to be a vet growing up. This was a career switch I made as an adult. I knew I wanted to go to vet school after working with birds as a wildlife center volunteer and later volunteering at a bird-only hospital. Birds are fascinating! I attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for my undergraduate education, followed by veterinary school at North Carolina State University.

Earlier in my veterinary career, I enjoyed dentistry and oral surgery and planned on pursuing a residency to become board-certified. Unfortunately, personal health issues have prevented me from pursuing that goal. I like being a vet because it’s nice to be able to help people care for those who can’t speak for themselves.

I recently lost a pet. It was a devastating experience, particularly because it was a behavioral euthanasia. My baby was losing his sight, which was causing him to become increasingly aggressive and dangerous. I shed a lot of tears after saying goodbye, but I've taken comfort in knowing that he is no longer suffering. I think it’s important to remember that suffering is not strictly physical. Saying goodbye to our pets is a difficult thing to do, and I enjoy being able to help families navigate the mix of emotions and questions that inevitably come with the experience. Sometimes we simply need someone to make us feel seen and heard, and I am happy to be that person for the families I help.

In my free time, I'm a gamer. I also enjoy going on walks and hikes. I'm a roller coaster enthusiast. I love to visit good wineries and escape to the mountains.

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