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Dr. Michael

In-Home Pet Euthanasia in East Bay & Surrounding Areas

I am a California native, and began my career in veterinary medicine as a large animal veterinary assistant during my senior year of high school. After working for more than 15 years in small animal practices, as well as in exotic animal, emergency, and shelter medicine, I decided to go back to school to earn my doctorate in veterinary medicine.

I graduated from Humboldt State University with a bachelor's degree in biology, focusing on cellular and molecular biology. I wanted to spread my wings and study abroad during veterinary school, so I attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts. After finishing the didactic portion of the degree, I spent my clinical year at Purdue University. I recently returned to California to be with my partner and our two spoiled pups.

In addition to having strong interests in epidemiology and emergency medicine, I have a passion for helping families with terminally ill pets. I feel strongly about making the end-of-life transition as peacefully as possible, and I joined Lap of Love to provide families and patients with quality end-of-life care.

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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Brooke

Los Angeles, California

When we had to make the devastating decision to help our little buddy Bacon pass, I arranged for Dr. Tina to come after she was highly recommended by a friend. She is so considerate, respectful, gentle and has a genuine love for animals. Bacon was completely at ease with her as were our other dog and cat who came and sat with us throughout the whole process. It’s so hard saying goodbye to a pet, but Dr. Tina made the whole experience totally stress and pain free for Bacon, which is the best gift we could give to her, as well as to ourselves. We are so very grateful to Dr. Tina for taking such good care of our friend.

R.

St. Louis, Missouri

Today we had to say goodbye to our 13 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Tucker. I have worked for hospice (for humans) for 23 years, and decided to extend this philosophy to the pet in our family as well. The doctor was outstanding - very compassionate and kind. This option was so much better than going to the vets office. He died with his head on my son's lap and being cuddled by my daughter, laying on the couch like the regal king of the couch that he was. Give yourself the gift of saying goodbye to your pet in the privacy of your own home. When the time comes, this service is so invaluable. Thank you so much.

Alex

Austin , Texas

I cannot find enough words to express how grateful I am to Lap of Love. During such a difficult time, Dr. Lauren and the Pet Loss Support Team provided all the information we were looking for with true compassion. I cannot imagine what it must be like for all of you to do this on a daily basis, as your profession. I commend you and wish there were more people like you in the world. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to extend our most sincere gratitude to Lap of Love for providing this service to our family. #RIP #PussyGato #18years

Maura

Kernersville, North Carolina

Thank you Dr Fletcher for making an otherwise unbearable situation not only tolerable, but relaxed and memorable. You have a gift with animals, and a God given talent to spread kindness and empathy to your clients. I would highly recommend Lap of Love to anyone needing to make this difficult decision on behalf of their beloved pet.Thank You.

Tony

Bon Air, Virginia

As every testimonial on this site says, Dr. Sarah is an angel. She found time to help us on a weekend, arrived punctually, and found our family on the kitchen floor surrounding our dear 7-year old golden retriever Ginny, who was gravely ill with lymphoma. She knew just what to do to soothe our worries, guide us through acceptance of the procedure, and help our loved one along with a peaceful easing that I will always be grateful to her for. She gave us all the time we needed to say goodbye. She made clay paw imprints and placed clippings of our pup's ginger fur in an envelope for mementos, then we lifted Ginny onto a stretcher and my son and I pall-bore her to Dr. Sarah's SUV. She is now handling crematory for us. We are so grateful.

Trina

Elkhorn, Nebraska

Dr. Claude, Thank for your kindness and compassion during Carmelle’s crossing of the rainbow bridge. It warmed my heart knowing you believe that our fur babies go to heaven. You made the whole process so peaceful and gentle for her and for us. It was very comforting for everyone, including our other fur babies, to be able to do it in the privacy of our home and to be able to take as much time as was needed to say our goodbyes.

Anna

Edgewater , Florida

I can’t thank lap of love enough for the compassion shown to our family. We had to make one of the hardest decisions in our life to put our baby down. Dr Erika was great through out the entire process. Our baby tasha was 12 1/2 and was suffering. We couldn’t bare to watch her in pain anymore and her quality of life wasn’t there. she didn’t deserve that. We received a recommendation from a friend to use laps of love it was the best decision we made. She was at home where she was most comfortable surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her. She went in peace. I can’t thank Dr Erika enough for helping us through this very difficult process. ❤️🐾❤️

Brooke

Los Angeles, California

When we had to make the devastating decision to help our little buddy Bacon pass, I arranged for Dr. Tina to come after she was highly recommended by a friend. She is so considerate, respectful, gentle and has a genuine love for animals. Bacon was completely at ease with her as were our other dog and cat who came and sat with us throughout the whole process. It’s so hard saying goodbye to a pet, but Dr. Tina made the whole experience totally stress and pain free for Bacon, which is the best gift we could give to her, as well as to ourselves. We are so very grateful to Dr. Tina for taking such good care of our friend.

R.

St. Louis, Missouri

Today we had to say goodbye to our 13 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Tucker. I have worked for hospice (for humans) for 23 years, and decided to extend this philosophy to the pet in our family as well. The doctor was outstanding - very compassionate and kind. This option was so much better than going to the vets office. He died with his head on my son's lap and being cuddled by my daughter, laying on the couch like the regal king of the couch that he was. Give yourself the gift of saying goodbye to your pet in the privacy of your own home. When the time comes, this service is so invaluable. Thank you so much.

Alex

Austin , Texas

I cannot find enough words to express how grateful I am to Lap of Love. During such a difficult time, Dr. Lauren and the Pet Loss Support Team provided all the information we were looking for with true compassion. I cannot imagine what it must be like for all of you to do this on a daily basis, as your profession. I commend you and wish there were more people like you in the world. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to extend our most sincere gratitude to Lap of Love for providing this service to our family. #RIP #PussyGato #18years

Tony

Bon Air, Virginia

As every testimonial on this site says, Dr. Sarah is an angel. She found time to help us on a weekend, arrived punctually, and found our family on the kitchen floor surrounding our dear 7-year old golden retriever Ginny, who was gravely ill with lymphoma. She knew just what to do to soothe our worries, guide us through acceptance of the procedure, and help our loved one along with a peaceful easing that I will always be grateful to her for. She gave us all the time we needed to say goodbye. She made clay paw imprints and placed clippings of our pup's ginger fur in an envelope for mementos, then we lifted Ginny onto a stretcher and my son and I pall-bore her to Dr. Sarah's SUV. She is now handling crematory for us. We are so grateful.

Trina

Elkhorn, Nebraska

Dr. Claude, Thank for your kindness and compassion during Carmelle’s crossing of the rainbow bridge. It warmed my heart knowing you believe that our fur babies go to heaven. You made the whole process so peaceful and gentle for her and for us. It was very comforting for everyone, including our other fur babies, to be able to do it in the privacy of our home and to be able to take as much time as was needed to say our goodbyes.

Anna

Edgewater , Florida

I can’t thank lap of love enough for the compassion shown to our family. We had to make one of the hardest decisions in our life to put our baby down. Dr Erika was great through out the entire process. Our baby tasha was 12 1/2 and was suffering. We couldn’t bare to watch her in pain anymore and her quality of life wasn’t there. she didn’t deserve that. We received a recommendation from a friend to use laps of love it was the best decision we made. She was at home where she was most comfortable surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her. She went in peace. I can’t thank Dr Erika enough for helping us through this very difficult process. ❤️🐾❤️

Brooke

Los Angeles, California

When we had to make the devastating decision to help our little buddy Bacon pass, I arranged for Dr. Tina to come after she was highly recommended by a friend. She is so considerate, respectful, gentle and has a genuine love for animals. Bacon was completely at ease with her as were our other dog and cat who came and sat with us throughout the whole process. It’s so hard saying goodbye to a pet, but Dr. Tina made the whole experience totally stress and pain free for Bacon, which is the best gift we could give to her, as well as to ourselves. We are so very grateful to Dr. Tina for taking such good care of our friend.

Helpful resources

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

Explore all of our resources

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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