In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Greater Richmond Area

I grew up around Findlay, Ohio, and attended a small rural school in nearby Van Buren. To give you an idea of “small,” K-12 was all on one site, and I graduated with 56 classmates! Even as a child, I always enjoyed the sciences. I also loved spending time at my grandfather and uncle’s dairy farm. Aside from the cows, there were always plenty of other animals around. 

Still, my biggest early influence was our neighbor, a veterinarian. Tagging along on calls to the nearby clinic or the county fair were some of my first introductions to the world of veterinary medicine. 

And that’s all it took. 

I completed my undergraduate education at the University of Findlay and graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

I’ve spent the majority of my career in equine medicine, where I enjoy solving problems pragmatically while building trust with patients and their owners. My 22 years in equine practice also instilled a deep compassion for end-of-life care and decision-making, especially in emergency euthanasias, when such decisions weren’t expected and often had to be made quickly.

One of my first personal experiences of losing a pet taught me how much stress we carry with us as we care for a sick or elderly pet. Once they are at peace, the weight that is removed from our shoulders is more significant than I’d realized. Letting it go allowed me to appreciate my life and the time I spent with my pet.

While a pet’s passing is incredibly sad in the moment, I hope I can give peace to owners whose pets are suffering. 

When I’m not caring for pets, I’m running a small farm with my wife. This includes felling and milling lumber that I then use to build shelters and structures for our small flock of sheep and chickens. I enjoy meandering about the pasture, watching our dogs explore. I also have an appreciation for music and enjoy playing the piano in my spare time.

I grew up in Virginia Beach. My family owned a motel, so I learned from my grandparents to respect others and be of service. We always had a dachshund in the family, and each was a rescued adult named Seal. When one died, we would adopt another and give it the same name. When I was in grade school, we came home one evening and found Seal injured. We took him to the emergency hospital, but he never came home. That experience stayed with me since I never understood why it happened, and I never wanted to be in that position again.

I earned my bachelor's degree in marine science from the University of South Carolina and attended veterinary school at Virginia Tech to work with marine mammals. However, I pivoted when I realized I enjoyed the hands-on treatments and surgery that would be more readily available as a small animal veterinarian. 

I enjoy caring for pets and taking time to calm them and reduce their stress at the hospital. After many years in practice, I became certified in acupuncture and learned about herbal medicine at Chi University. These skills allow me to offer alternatives to conventional medicine, especially for my older patients. Helping clients give their pets the healthiest life has always been my priority.

I’ve lost several pets over the years. My first love was a black and white kitten. When he reached 16 years of age, he developed several medical conditions, and I decided to euthanize him myself at home, which was a very difficult experience. When the time came for my 16-year-old dachshund mix, I took him to work, where I could hold his head and whisper to him while my staff took care of everything else. My role is to let families comfort their pets and focus on their shared love while I ensure a peaceful passing. 

I enjoy watching movies and taking nature walks with my husband, reading thrillers curled up with my older terrier and two cats, painting, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. When my children can join us, we love playing trivia board games together.