In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Olympia & Surrounding Neighborhoods

Although my family hails from Pennsylvania, I grew up in North Carolina. Long, hot summers, chirping cicadas, and magnolias will always remind me of home. Now that my husband and I have made our home in Washington, I definitely don't miss the cottonmouths, mosquitos, and humidity! 

Like many children, I was obsessed with animals and wanted to take care of them, so by no surprise, being a veterinarian was my dream job. I drifted away from that dream during my teenage years, after holding a few kennel attendant jobs and seeing how stressed out some of the doctors and staff were. However, after considering other career choices, including being a children's novelist and dog trainer, I decided I couldn't see myself being anything but a veterinarian. I wanted to keep animals healthy, heal them when they were sick, and improve the human-bond when it is threatened by illness, injury, or behavior issues. 

I completed an education "speed run," and was accepted to North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine after only three years of prerequisite classes at High Point University. After receiving my veterinary degree, I quickly settled into practice. I most enjoy preventative and palliative medicine. I love finding ways to keep pets healthy, happy, and mentally enriched; optimizing their quality of life; and ultimately, helping them pass with dignity when the time is right. I enjoy working with animals to provide low-stress handling, training for cooperative care in veterinary procedures, and physical rehabilitation and conditioning. I have completed or am currently pursuing additional certificates in Cat Friendly veterinary medicine, Low-stress and Fear Free techniques, Human-Animal Bond, and Canine Physical Rehabilitation. Senior pets hold my heart, and developing multimodal plans to make the best of their golden years has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. After several years in general practice, I realized I often made the biggest impact during the final moments of a cherished pet's life by helping them pass peacefully, and helping their family transition gracefully through the process of loss. This ultimately led me to Lap of Love and it is an honor to help those families in need with the gift of peaceful euthanasia. 

I grew up in various parts of California, as well as in Las Vegas, Nevada and Portland, Oregon, which is where I met my partner and earned my bachelor’s degree in organismal biology from the beautiful Portland State University. I also earned a graphic and web design degree, and I worked in that field for almost eight years.

I became a veterinarian after caring for one of our first kittens, Sasha, whom we rescued from an abusive environment. He was critically ill with a severe chronic condition. If it hadn’t been for the intensive therapy he received from an integrative veterinarian, Sasha would likely have been humanely euthanized. Instead, he thrived and lived until the age of 17. This experience profoundly changed my life and motivated me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I enrolled in veterinary school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where I developed a strong interest in forensic veterinary medicine and focused on investigating cases of animal neglect and abuse. 

As I began my veterinary practice, I quickly realized that my true passions lie in feline medicine using an integrative approach. I am pursuing certification in acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and Western herbal medicine to further my education. I take pride in being the trusted person families rely on for their pets' medical care, ensuring they have the best quality of life possible. 

I have lost many beloved companions, including cats, ferrets, fish, crabs, a rat, and a dog. I have experienced grief and loss firsthand, and I’m honored to help end a pet’s suffering and assist them in passing peacefully at home with their family.

Until I was a young adult, I trained in and performed various forms of dance, participating in numerous dance and musical theater productions and often taking on solo or principal roles. Additionally, I’m an avid and competitive billiards player, frequently playing with my partner of 17 years. Together, we care for nine cats of our own and two foster cats.

I grew up in Seattle. As much as I enjoyed the city, I especially loved the forests and nature of the Pacific Northwest. Animals have always been part of my life and have brought me immense joy. Having a variety of pets during childhood, especially the close relationships I had with our family dogs, guided me to this career. Becoming a veterinarian allowed me to combine my passion for animals and medicine and has brought me immense fulfillment by allowing me to provide comfort to pets and their families. 

I completed my undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in philosophy at the University of San Francisco. I completed veterinary school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed my clinical year at Oregon State. Since graduating in 2021, I have worked at a few different small animal clinics in Idaho and Washington. I enjoy the variety of cases I see in small animal general practice, as well as the many different ways I can help pets and their families. I enjoy the more complex medical cases as well as the routine surgeries and procedures. My favorite part about being a veterinarian is working with pet parents to provide care for patients, especially providing client education and resources. 

I have lost multiple family pets over the years, as a child and as an adult. Pets are truly part of the family, and I have deeply appreciated the chances I have had to say goodbye in a peaceful setting. Although it never gets easier to say goodbye to a beloved pet and family member, being able to surround them with love and comfort before they pass is a gift I wish I could offer all animals. It is an honor to help pets who are so loved and have given so much love. I deeply appreciate being allowed to ease or prevent a pet's suffering in this way.

Outside of work, I love sewing, reading, painting, running, baking, and anything that involves spending time in nature.