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Dr. Jenni

In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Atlanta & Surrounding Areas

I am originally from Florida, but I moved to metro Atlanta as a child and consider this beautiful melting pot to be my home. Since I was a kid, I told anyone and everyone that one day I would be a veterinarian, and here I am today.

I attended Kennesaw State University in Georgia for my undergraduate degree, and after graduating, I spent five years working as a veterinary assistant. I learned so much about veterinary medicine during that time, and it solidified my desire to become a veterinarian. I received my veterinary degree from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and have spent my career working as a general practitioner.

I value the many relationships I’ve built with clients throughout the years and the wide variety of ways I get to help animals each day. I enjoy everything from puppy care, to geriatric medicine, to general medicine. I have special interests in cytology, radiology, and dermatological conditions—icky skin stuff is fascinating!

I am familiar with the experience of losing a pet and have said goodbye to several of my own over the years. Unfortunately, my pets didn’t pass in the comfort of their home, and this weighed heavily on my decision to transition into end-of-life care. I currently have a 15-year- old large breed dog, and when I think about how I want him to pass, I picture him peacefully at home in my arms.

I view humane, at-home euthanasia as the greatest last gift you can give a beloved animal companion, surrounded in comfort with the ones they love most, and I hope to aid other families in providing a peaceful passing for their pet, much like I hope to have with my old man, Champ.

Pronouns: She/Her

Our services

We’re here to support you when you need it

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

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Debra

De Leon Springs, Florida

The loss of our dog Zoe last week was very emotional for us. We rescued her in 2009 and she immediately became a cherished member of our family. Dr. Ericka Mendez came to our home to help Zoe across the Rainbow Bridge. It couldn't have been a better experience. The compassion she showed both Zoe and us was truly appreciated. Zoe got to try chocolate for the first time thanks to Dr. Mendez and she was thrilled! She ate it and was looking for more. I would highly recommend Dr. Mendez and Lap of Love to anyone who is facing the difficult decision to help their pets cross over.

Amy

San Anselmo, California

Dr. Rene was kind, thoughtful and supportive - all the things you are looking for in a vet in a time of need, sadness, and difficulty. She explained the process thoroughly with me and was so gentle and tender with my ailing cat. I would highly recommend Dr. Rene Butler if the time arises and you have to make a difficult choice. I felt like I was in good loving hands the entire time. Thank you Dr. Rene for helping to end my cat's life in a peaceful, comfortable, loving way.

Alania and Louie

Knoxville, Tennessee

I wish to thank Lap of Love Vet Jennifer Cook for coming to the house and easing our old boy's pain. He was just so very tired. We got to sit with Buddy, hold and talk with him to the end. Jennifer provided support and confirmation that it was the right time and that we were doing the right thing for Buddy. It helped that she said we had given Buddy a wonderful life and that he was beautiful and well cared for. She will treat your baby like it was her baby.

Erika

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saying goodbye to Scout was one of the hardest days of my life. Cats have been a part of my life since a child and she was my first pet as an adult and my first euthanasia. Eleven years young, Scout was diagnosed with non-systemic lung cancer in March 2014. We were told she had 2 months and I knew I wanted her to die at home and before she was suffering. She defied the odds for a while, and despite labored breathing was still jumping in her favorite alcove and making sure our other kitty knew who was boss. We had decided when she needed to start to breathe through her mouth the time had come. After a long night of severe panting and labored movement, we called Dr. Bates in the morning and arranged for his visit that evening. We stayed with Scout the day making sure her last was a good one and with me a teary mess for most of it. Dr. Bates arrived shortly after she heartbreakingly ate her last plate of food and I was starting to waver. But I knew she would just be suffering at this point. Dr. Bates was calm and reassuring of our decision. He remained calm and explained the procedure, including she would be mobile after the first injection to relax her since she was still lucid. A toughy she did as he said. I held her head and talked to her as much as I could through my tears while Dr. Bates continued to explain her state and where the final injection would need to be placed. I felt my dear girl breath her last breath and selfishly was happy I could feel what I needed to feel and cry as I needed in my own home to help her leave this world with dignity. Dr. Bates never once made me feel the hysterical mess I know I was. After the procedure and our and our other cat's final goodbyes, she was lovingly placed in a basket by my husband and Dr. Bates for transport to her cremation. Thank you Dr. Bates and Lap of Love.

Rich

Rocky Point, New York

I only have fantastic things to say about Dr. Heather and the services that Lap of Love provided for my beagle. She handled the whole thing in such a professional and caring way, it was the perfect way for my family and I to say goodbye to our beloved pet. I would highly recommend Lap of Love and certainly Dr. Heather to anyone who may be faced with such a difficult time, she was wonderful.

monique

Huntington beach, California

Today we had to put our sweet dog to rest. It was the most difficult decision we had to make. Dr.Melissa came to our home and was so wonderful and caring to our sweet dog Duke. She made the process easier. We are so grateful that Dukes last breath was at home where he is comfortable and that we were able to hold him and love him through the process. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Karen

O'Fallon, Missouri

We lost our precious beautiful boy Sam at the young age of 7. He was the sweetest and most sensitive German Shepherd. We could not bring ourselves to take him to the vet one more time when it was time for him to leave us and go to the Rainbow Bridge. We had taken him to so many vets and specialist trying to save him from a horrible disease, Degenerative Myelopathy. Our vet told us about Laps of Love. This was the hardest decision we ever had to make but Dr. Keri Morgan showed up and she made it so much easier on us and Sam. He was so calm and he was able to go peacefully in his own favorite spot in his own home. Dr. Morgan is the most caring person. She spent at least an hour at our house asking us questions about Sam and allowed us the time we needed to try and say goodbye to our precious boy. I have had many dogs in the past that we have loved and lost and this was by far the most peaceful and best experience for us by far. I cannot say enough about this wonderful and caring doctor, Keri Morgan. She definitely found her calling in life and we are so thankful we found her!

Melissa

Greenlawn, New York

During a time that felt impossible to get through, Dr Heather was a God send! Our dreamboat yellow lab, Leo, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (aggressive bone cancer). We wanted him to be with us as long as we could have him- but we didn’t want him to suffer. In talking with Lap Of love on the phone, they helped me realize that I needed to think about how we wanted Leo’s end to be. Peaceful and loving, or a crisis full of pain, because that’s what would eventually happen as his leg would break from the tumor, and the cancer would spread. We could see Leo was in pain but he tried so hard to hide it. When I finally scheduled them to come to our home, Dr Heather was absolutely incredible! It was so tough to let Leo go, but Dr Heather talked us through it with such compassion and understanding. Unbelievably, a month later we were faced with the decision to put our beautiful Black lab, Beau, down. Although his health was a very different scenario, it was still a very difficult decision. Both our dogs had lived wonderful long lives full of love but it was hard to imagine life without them. Again, Dr Heather came out and was so understanding and helpful. She really took the time to get to know each dog and their health condition. She was genuinely interested in all we had to say about how each dog played such a huge role in our lives. She took her time and wanted to really understand everything about our pet- stories and all! By the time we finished talking, we were completely at peace. We know we did the right thing for each dog and that’s what gets us through the tough days. Dr Heather and everyone at Lap Of love was very understanding and sympathetic to the pain and loss that we were feeling. They provided us with wonderful Momentos of our pets that we will cherish always. This incredible experience of being able to put our loving dogs to Rest In Peace in the security of the home they knew surrounded by all who love them helped make it bearable for us. Thank you to all at Lap of Love. ❤️

Debra

De Leon Springs, Florida

The loss of our dog Zoe last week was very emotional for us. We rescued her in 2009 and she immediately became a cherished member of our family. Dr. Ericka Mendez came to our home to help Zoe across the Rainbow Bridge. It couldn't have been a better experience. The compassion she showed both Zoe and us was truly appreciated. Zoe got to try chocolate for the first time thanks to Dr. Mendez and she was thrilled! She ate it and was looking for more. I would highly recommend Dr. Mendez and Lap of Love to anyone who is facing the difficult decision to help their pets cross over.

Amy

San Anselmo, California

Dr. Rene was kind, thoughtful and supportive - all the things you are looking for in a vet in a time of need, sadness, and difficulty. She explained the process thoroughly with me and was so gentle and tender with my ailing cat. I would highly recommend Dr. Rene Butler if the time arises and you have to make a difficult choice. I felt like I was in good loving hands the entire time. Thank you Dr. Rene for helping to end my cat's life in a peaceful, comfortable, loving way.

Alania and Louie

Knoxville, Tennessee

I wish to thank Lap of Love Vet Jennifer Cook for coming to the house and easing our old boy's pain. He was just so very tired. We got to sit with Buddy, hold and talk with him to the end. Jennifer provided support and confirmation that it was the right time and that we were doing the right thing for Buddy. It helped that she said we had given Buddy a wonderful life and that he was beautiful and well cared for. She will treat your baby like it was her baby.

Erika

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saying goodbye to Scout was one of the hardest days of my life. Cats have been a part of my life since a child and she was my first pet as an adult and my first euthanasia. Eleven years young, Scout was diagnosed with non-systemic lung cancer in March 2014. We were told she had 2 months and I knew I wanted her to die at home and before she was suffering. She defied the odds for a while, and despite labored breathing was still jumping in her favorite alcove and making sure our other kitty knew who was boss. We had decided when she needed to start to breathe through her mouth the time had come. After a long night of severe panting and labored movement, we called Dr. Bates in the morning and arranged for his visit that evening. We stayed with Scout the day making sure her last was a good one and with me a teary mess for most of it. Dr. Bates arrived shortly after she heartbreakingly ate her last plate of food and I was starting to waver. But I knew she would just be suffering at this point. Dr. Bates was calm and reassuring of our decision. He remained calm and explained the procedure, including she would be mobile after the first injection to relax her since she was still lucid. A toughy she did as he said. I held her head and talked to her as much as I could through my tears while Dr. Bates continued to explain her state and where the final injection would need to be placed. I felt my dear girl breath her last breath and selfishly was happy I could feel what I needed to feel and cry as I needed in my own home to help her leave this world with dignity. Dr. Bates never once made me feel the hysterical mess I know I was. After the procedure and our and our other cat's final goodbyes, she was lovingly placed in a basket by my husband and Dr. Bates for transport to her cremation. Thank you Dr. Bates and Lap of Love.

Rich

Rocky Point, New York

I only have fantastic things to say about Dr. Heather and the services that Lap of Love provided for my beagle. She handled the whole thing in such a professional and caring way, it was the perfect way for my family and I to say goodbye to our beloved pet. I would highly recommend Lap of Love and certainly Dr. Heather to anyone who may be faced with such a difficult time, she was wonderful.

monique

Huntington beach, California

Today we had to put our sweet dog to rest. It was the most difficult decision we had to make. Dr.Melissa came to our home and was so wonderful and caring to our sweet dog Duke. She made the process easier. We are so grateful that Dukes last breath was at home where he is comfortable and that we were able to hold him and love him through the process. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Karen

O'Fallon, Missouri

We lost our precious beautiful boy Sam at the young age of 7. He was the sweetest and most sensitive German Shepherd. We could not bring ourselves to take him to the vet one more time when it was time for him to leave us and go to the Rainbow Bridge. We had taken him to so many vets and specialist trying to save him from a horrible disease, Degenerative Myelopathy. Our vet told us about Laps of Love. This was the hardest decision we ever had to make but Dr. Keri Morgan showed up and she made it so much easier on us and Sam. He was so calm and he was able to go peacefully in his own favorite spot in his own home. Dr. Morgan is the most caring person. She spent at least an hour at our house asking us questions about Sam and allowed us the time we needed to try and say goodbye to our precious boy. I have had many dogs in the past that we have loved and lost and this was by far the most peaceful and best experience for us by far. I cannot say enough about this wonderful and caring doctor, Keri Morgan. She definitely found her calling in life and we are so thankful we found her!

Melissa

Greenlawn, New York

During a time that felt impossible to get through, Dr Heather was a God send! Our dreamboat yellow lab, Leo, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (aggressive bone cancer). We wanted him to be with us as long as we could have him- but we didn’t want him to suffer. In talking with Lap Of love on the phone, they helped me realize that I needed to think about how we wanted Leo’s end to be. Peaceful and loving, or a crisis full of pain, because that’s what would eventually happen as his leg would break from the tumor, and the cancer would spread. We could see Leo was in pain but he tried so hard to hide it. When I finally scheduled them to come to our home, Dr Heather was absolutely incredible! It was so tough to let Leo go, but Dr Heather talked us through it with such compassion and understanding. Unbelievably, a month later we were faced with the decision to put our beautiful Black lab, Beau, down. Although his health was a very different scenario, it was still a very difficult decision. Both our dogs had lived wonderful long lives full of love but it was hard to imagine life without them. Again, Dr Heather came out and was so understanding and helpful. She really took the time to get to know each dog and their health condition. She was genuinely interested in all we had to say about how each dog played such a huge role in our lives. She took her time and wanted to really understand everything about our pet- stories and all! By the time we finished talking, we were completely at peace. We know we did the right thing for each dog and that’s what gets us through the tough days. Dr Heather and everyone at Lap Of love was very understanding and sympathetic to the pain and loss that we were feeling. They provided us with wonderful Momentos of our pets that we will cherish always. This incredible experience of being able to put our loving dogs to Rest In Peace in the security of the home they knew surrounded by all who love them helped make it bearable for us. Thank you to all at Lap of Love. ❤️

Debra

De Leon Springs, Florida

The loss of our dog Zoe last week was very emotional for us. We rescued her in 2009 and she immediately became a cherished member of our family. Dr. Ericka Mendez came to our home to help Zoe across the Rainbow Bridge. It couldn't have been a better experience. The compassion she showed both Zoe and us was truly appreciated. Zoe got to try chocolate for the first time thanks to Dr. Mendez and she was thrilled! She ate it and was looking for more. I would highly recommend Dr. Mendez and Lap of Love to anyone who is facing the difficult decision to help their pets cross over.

Amy

San Anselmo, California

Dr. Rene was kind, thoughtful and supportive - all the things you are looking for in a vet in a time of need, sadness, and difficulty. She explained the process thoroughly with me and was so gentle and tender with my ailing cat. I would highly recommend Dr. Rene Butler if the time arises and you have to make a difficult choice. I felt like I was in good loving hands the entire time. Thank you Dr. Rene for helping to end my cat's life in a peaceful, comfortable, loving way.

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