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Dr. Sara

In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Orange County California

I grew up in the Fingerlakes region of New York state and always knew my path involved caring for animals. I earned degrees in marine biology and zoology before ultimately obtaining my veterinary degree at Tufts University. My career has taken me all over the country, from New York, to Florida, to Arizona, and finally to California, where I have built a life in Orange County. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to help all types of wildlife and exotic pets, in addition to cats and dogs.

My own beloved dog, Maddie, recently passed away after a long illness. She was a yellow Labrador, and had been with me since she was three days old. I did my best to make her comfortable in her final months, and knew when I needed to alleviate her suffering to help her pass in peace and love. After almost 13 years, she was able to pass in my arms, knowing that I loved her more than anything.

The majority of my work has been in the emergency medicine field. I have met many people on the worst day of their life, when they have brought their pet in with a severe illness or injury. Helping pets pass peacefully is the last gift we can give them, and was always the most rewarding aspect of my work in emergency medicine. Working with Lap of Love, I can give that peace to families and their loved ones in an environment where they feel safe and loved. I especially enjoy being able to pay forward the peace and support I experienced when helping my own sweet Maddie cross over the rainbow bridge.

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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Leona

Atlantic Beach, Florida

On December 12, it was time to have my precious, beloved tuxedo cat "Tuxi" assisted to cross the rainbow bridge. Dr. Katie Green arrived and I immediately felt at ease with her. She was very calm and soft spoken which helped me as I was tense and fearful. Dr. Katie sat down next to Tuxi, talked to her and petted her. Tuxi was not too thrilled with the first injection, but she was out of pain and even asleep before we laid her back down. She received love from the doctor, my daughter and me before the final injection. Tuxi was disoriented, not eating or drinking, back legs were weakening, she was also howling all night. She had been through many trials and tribulations with me and was everloving and smart. I had her joyous company close to 15 years. I loved her with all my heart, so did my family. I cherish our memories. We had a box ready and she was swaddled in her favorite blanket. I said goodbye, kissed her and my daughter tied a bow on the box and took her to the backyard and into the site which was ready for her. There, a headstone with a protected picture and a verse was placed on the grave. Dr. Katie green performed a blessing for us that day. I could not have asked for a more peaceful, beautiful doctor or a more beautiful service. I will always be grateful for her humanity and caring.

Jodi

Evans, Georgia

I would just like to say thank you to Lap of Love and Dr Nancy Rodriguez. They recently helped us say goodbye to our sweet pup Lou Lou. Saying goodbye to and family pet is a very difficult decision. Through Lap of Love we were able to do this in the quiet of our own home. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a non-stressful way to help their pet find peace.

Tip

Portland, Oregon

It's taken me about 5 months to muster up the strength to find myself here submitting a testimonial. On August 5th, 2021, Red passed away quietly in my arms at home and listening to his favorite songs, thanks to Dr. Kara and Lap of Love. I always knew that Red would be on his way out at home. He loved me and his first and forever home more than anything else. It was exactly what this retired sled-dog had always wanted but never knew it. The painful choice to have looked into Red's dads eyes and agree that it was time, when we watched helplessly as Red struggled to breathe with his heart condition pumping fluid into his tummy and lungs. Lap of Love answered my call in the evening and got us set up with an appointment the day after. Dr. Kara spent some time hearing his story and getting to know him a little bit. She faded into the background while quieting doing her work while we sobbed, holding onto Red until his last labored breath. Dr. Kara and my partner carried his 85lbs body on the stretcher into the elevator and down to our apartments lobby. We only had paid street parking for her and she made sure that we didn't worry about it. She let us kiss him goodbye one last time and made sure he was taken care of. Lap of Love alerted Red's vet and we received cards and emails checking up on us days after from Dr. Kara and Lap of Love.

Ken and Diana

Berkeley, California

Dr. Dianicia Kirton compassionately and with great care assisted Phoebe with her passage out of this life. She is warm and caring and we were grateful that she was there for Phoebe and us during this sad time.

Deb and Harold

High Point, Alabama

It was a very difficult decision to call Lap of Love....it was certainly the right thing to do but that didn't make it any easier. I can't say enough about Dr. Dobey; she made a painful and difficult decision less so. From the start she was caring and compassionate and it helped immensely as we went through this process. I can recommend Lap of Love and Dr. Dobey without hesitation.

Rodriguez

Greeley, Colorado

The amount of care and genuine sympathy was beyond our expectations. Our past experiences have been very clinical and cold. I think this is such a valuable service, especially with our bigger fur babies...Also, I wanted to thank you for coming out on short notice and still providing an outstanding level of care; to having Sonny's name ready for paw prints to the sign in the van. On behalf of the family, I wanted to thank you for taking such compassionate care of Sonny. It meant a lot to us and even though we're sad we know this was best for her. You made her transition peaceful and we are very thankful for you.

Amie

Morrow, Ohio

I can't even begin to put into words how difficult this has been to go through. I was treated with such kindness and compassion from scheduling the appt. And then w/ Dr. Meredith before she came. She got here & Babie took to her & loved her like she did everyone..I will never be able to thank her for her generosity the compassion and patience she had taking time to go over every question I asked and possible alternatives to keep my babie alive..unfortunately I had to say goodbye..Dr. Meredith treated my family and Babie with so much love, she truly is a blessing to us and am so grateful that Babie finally had a vet that cared about her..I'm still at a loss for words..I Miss my best friend and I'm empty without her..Dr Meredith thankyou for all you did for us, for treating Babie w/ so much love and for being so kind and a genuine person with a heart..the world would be a better place if more people were like you. I will forever be in debt to you for how good you were to us, the love you had for Babie and hugging me when I needed to feel that someone cared. Thankyou for the beautiful card you sent and thankyou for being you. This is the hardest thing I've gone through but you helped to ease some of the pain and when I dreaded coming to an empty house today I was instead greeted w/ a card from you reminding me that because of you she's in a better place w/ her sissy & she went peacefully in her home.

Yardley, Pennsylvania

Thank you Dr Brad for helping us to end Sydney's pain and send her peacefully into the afterlife. You were so kind and considerate of everything that we asked to make this as painless as possible for our family. You are such a kind and compassionate person to help us animal lovers to make this transition with our pets who are our family. I will always remember your kindness.

Leona

Atlantic Beach, Florida

On December 12, it was time to have my precious, beloved tuxedo cat "Tuxi" assisted to cross the rainbow bridge. Dr. Katie Green arrived and I immediately felt at ease with her. She was very calm and soft spoken which helped me as I was tense and fearful. Dr. Katie sat down next to Tuxi, talked to her and petted her. Tuxi was not too thrilled with the first injection, but she was out of pain and even asleep before we laid her back down. She received love from the doctor, my daughter and me before the final injection. Tuxi was disoriented, not eating or drinking, back legs were weakening, she was also howling all night. She had been through many trials and tribulations with me and was everloving and smart. I had her joyous company close to 15 years. I loved her with all my heart, so did my family. I cherish our memories. We had a box ready and she was swaddled in her favorite blanket. I said goodbye, kissed her and my daughter tied a bow on the box and took her to the backyard and into the site which was ready for her. There, a headstone with a protected picture and a verse was placed on the grave. Dr. Katie green performed a blessing for us that day. I could not have asked for a more peaceful, beautiful doctor or a more beautiful service. I will always be grateful for her humanity and caring.

Jodi

Evans, Georgia

I would just like to say thank you to Lap of Love and Dr Nancy Rodriguez. They recently helped us say goodbye to our sweet pup Lou Lou. Saying goodbye to and family pet is a very difficult decision. Through Lap of Love we were able to do this in the quiet of our own home. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a non-stressful way to help their pet find peace.

Tip

Portland, Oregon

It's taken me about 5 months to muster up the strength to find myself here submitting a testimonial. On August 5th, 2021, Red passed away quietly in my arms at home and listening to his favorite songs, thanks to Dr. Kara and Lap of Love. I always knew that Red would be on his way out at home. He loved me and his first and forever home more than anything else. It was exactly what this retired sled-dog had always wanted but never knew it. The painful choice to have looked into Red's dads eyes and agree that it was time, when we watched helplessly as Red struggled to breathe with his heart condition pumping fluid into his tummy and lungs. Lap of Love answered my call in the evening and got us set up with an appointment the day after. Dr. Kara spent some time hearing his story and getting to know him a little bit. She faded into the background while quieting doing her work while we sobbed, holding onto Red until his last labored breath. Dr. Kara and my partner carried his 85lbs body on the stretcher into the elevator and down to our apartments lobby. We only had paid street parking for her and she made sure that we didn't worry about it. She let us kiss him goodbye one last time and made sure he was taken care of. Lap of Love alerted Red's vet and we received cards and emails checking up on us days after from Dr. Kara and Lap of Love.

Deb and Harold

High Point, Alabama

It was a very difficult decision to call Lap of Love....it was certainly the right thing to do but that didn't make it any easier. I can't say enough about Dr. Dobey; she made a painful and difficult decision less so. From the start she was caring and compassionate and it helped immensely as we went through this process. I can recommend Lap of Love and Dr. Dobey without hesitation.

Rodriguez

Greeley, Colorado

The amount of care and genuine sympathy was beyond our expectations. Our past experiences have been very clinical and cold. I think this is such a valuable service, especially with our bigger fur babies...Also, I wanted to thank you for coming out on short notice and still providing an outstanding level of care; to having Sonny's name ready for paw prints to the sign in the van. On behalf of the family, I wanted to thank you for taking such compassionate care of Sonny. It meant a lot to us and even though we're sad we know this was best for her. You made her transition peaceful and we are very thankful for you.

Amie

Morrow, Ohio

I can't even begin to put into words how difficult this has been to go through. I was treated with such kindness and compassion from scheduling the appt. And then w/ Dr. Meredith before she came. She got here & Babie took to her & loved her like she did everyone..I will never be able to thank her for her generosity the compassion and patience she had taking time to go over every question I asked and possible alternatives to keep my babie alive..unfortunately I had to say goodbye..Dr. Meredith treated my family and Babie with so much love, she truly is a blessing to us and am so grateful that Babie finally had a vet that cared about her..I'm still at a loss for words..I Miss my best friend and I'm empty without her..Dr Meredith thankyou for all you did for us, for treating Babie w/ so much love and for being so kind and a genuine person with a heart..the world would be a better place if more people were like you. I will forever be in debt to you for how good you were to us, the love you had for Babie and hugging me when I needed to feel that someone cared. Thankyou for the beautiful card you sent and thankyou for being you. This is the hardest thing I've gone through but you helped to ease some of the pain and when I dreaded coming to an empty house today I was instead greeted w/ a card from you reminding me that because of you she's in a better place w/ her sissy & she went peacefully in her home.

Yardley, Pennsylvania

Thank you Dr Brad for helping us to end Sydney's pain and send her peacefully into the afterlife. You were so kind and considerate of everything that we asked to make this as painless as possible for our family. You are such a kind and compassionate person to help us animal lovers to make this transition with our pets who are our family. I will always remember your kindness.

Leona

Atlantic Beach, Florida

On December 12, it was time to have my precious, beloved tuxedo cat "Tuxi" assisted to cross the rainbow bridge. Dr. Katie Green arrived and I immediately felt at ease with her. She was very calm and soft spoken which helped me as I was tense and fearful. Dr. Katie sat down next to Tuxi, talked to her and petted her. Tuxi was not too thrilled with the first injection, but she was out of pain and even asleep before we laid her back down. She received love from the doctor, my daughter and me before the final injection. Tuxi was disoriented, not eating or drinking, back legs were weakening, she was also howling all night. She had been through many trials and tribulations with me and was everloving and smart. I had her joyous company close to 15 years. I loved her with all my heart, so did my family. I cherish our memories. We had a box ready and she was swaddled in her favorite blanket. I said goodbye, kissed her and my daughter tied a bow on the box and took her to the backyard and into the site which was ready for her. There, a headstone with a protected picture and a verse was placed on the grave. Dr. Katie green performed a blessing for us that day. I could not have asked for a more peaceful, beautiful doctor or a more beautiful service. I will always be grateful for her humanity and caring.

Jodi

Evans, Georgia

I would just like to say thank you to Lap of Love and Dr Nancy Rodriguez. They recently helped us say goodbye to our sweet pup Lou Lou. Saying goodbye to and family pet is a very difficult decision. Through Lap of Love we were able to do this in the quiet of our own home. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a non-stressful way to help their pet find peace.

Helpful resources

Informational resources to help you navigate your pet’s quality of life

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Axel, Paterson, NJ
How Will I Know It's Time

Roger, Dumont, NJ
Blog

Bodhi, Yorba Linda, CA
Common Geriatric Pet Symptoms

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