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Dr. Erin

In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Atlanta & Surrounding Areas

I started my humble beginnings in Avondale Estates, GA, but mostly grew up in Savannah, GA. My love of biology and animals started young and progressively developed in high school, while taking AP Biology. It wasn't long after that I decided I wanted to become a veterinarian. My family has always been incredibly supportive by looking the other way when I brought in pet rabbits, toads, and a “foster” beagle that soon became ours. Fast forward, and I now live with my husband, our now senior beagle Rocky, and a chubby shih tzu named Crosby.

During my education, I was first a Pirate with my undergraduate degree at Armstrong State University, then later became a Buckeye as I graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, I transitioned to general practice in southern Indiana and eventually Decatur, GA. It was during this time that I discovered my true passion for the human-animal bond and honoring that relationship during end-of-life care. I truly enjoy connecting with families during such a delicate time and learning about the companionship they've had with their furry loved ones.

It is a great honor to now commit my career solely to end-of-life care by guiding families in the Atlanta area with their pets’ hospice care and final treatment.

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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East Meadow, New York

Dear Dr. Kristen, As we explained to you when we met, our family had a horrible experience when putting our family dog Brandy (a Golden) down 24 years ago. Our next dog, Angel, died naturally at home 16 years ago. The fear of that happening again is what made it so hard to make the call to Lap of Love to have our beloved Tia, who was almost 16, cross over the rainbow bridge. We want to thank you from all of our family members for giving us a loving memory of letting her go. You were so kind, compassionate and gentle with her from the moment you stepped through our front door until we carried her out of her home. We will only remember a peaceful passing and the birds outside "singing her up to heaven". Thank you for the wonderful work you do. The Gately Family

chelsea

laguna beach, California

my greatest fear was realized when i received my veterinarian's diagnosis of cancer. worse yet, i had days, not weeks or months. albert was the greatest light in my life and rescuing him was the best thing i've ever done. so the pain of losing him threatened to swallow me whole. under the worst possible circumstances, i met dr. melissa. to have her come into my home and greet and love on albert as if she'd known him for years was the most comforting and beautiful expression of her work. this is seriously her purpose... to guide grieving parents through this process and to deliver our beloved pets safely and peacefully into their afterlife. she is the loveliest of souls and she was a tremendous support during the most difficult challenge of my life. i'm so very very grateful, dr. melissa, that you were there with albert and me (as well as my parents and fiance, who also think the world of you). you will always hold such a special place in my heart.

Rachael and Rita

Mableton, Georgia

We met Dr. Lauren last November at Atlanta Pet Expo. A few days later we needed her for our beloved chow Sugarbear. That was our first phenomenal experience with Lap of Love. We kept in touch with Dr. Lauren, as she touched our hearts so deeply. We believe it was divine intervention that led us to meet her when we did. Yesterday, I called Dr. Lauren after leaving Peikah, my 15 year old Pekingese' vet with an a heavy heart. I needed guidance that the vet did not provide. That's where Dr. Lauren steps in. She listened to my concerns and gave me honest and up front feedback. She scheduled an appointment into her already busy day, as she did not want Peikah to suffer needlessly over night. Pl When she arrived we talked about Peikah's health history and treatment options and made the decision that we felt was the kindest and most loving thing we could do for her..... One final act of love. Dr. Lauren gave us some time alone with out sweet girl, then she came back in and reassured us of the process, even though we were familiar with it. She did not rush us. She gave us the time we needed to say our goodbyes and help our other two pups understand what was happening and put then at ease as well. We couldn't ask for a more kind and compassionate spirit in Dr. Lauren. She was truly a blessing in our time of need.

Abbie

Bethlehem , Georgia

Dr. Morgan was truly one of a kind. Her compassion shined throughout the entire process. She cared for our sweet Poppy like she was her own. Dr. Morgan and Lap of love have made this painful process easier.

Clary

Rochester , New York

Thank you so much for explaining to us the process, for being so gentle with chulo when you first saw him. For been so understandable in this painful process which it was our first time. Thank you for everything from our bottom of our heart we really appreciate you.

Peachtree City, Georgia

I just wanted to express our gratitude for the care, comfort and consideration Dr. Sydney provided to us during her visit. My boyfriend was running late but I did not want to let our buddy go without him being present. Dr Sydney cleared her schedule to ensure we wouldn’t feel rushed during the event. It was so thoughtful of her and the entire experience was handled with the utmost care. She truly made the difficult situation so much easier. We would highly recommend Lap of Love to family and friends. Thank you again.

Sherylene

Deerfield Beach, Florida

Thank you, Dr. Jordan, for the support and kindness you offered to Cheerio, and to me and my daughter, on this very difficult day. It was a blessing to allow Cheerio to cross the Rainbow Bridge in the yard he loved to sunbathe in. We miss him so much, but know that he was surrounded by the love of his family, and we are grateful to you for providing such comfort. Thank you, Sherylene and Brianna Alfaro

Kristin

Oceanside, New York

Dr Kristen was amazing. She made the process easy, calm and as loving as possible. We truly feel blessed that our boy left us in his house where he spent 21 amazing years and surrounded by love! the thought of him leaving this life in a vets office, surrounded by strangers and not one family member (due to covid restrictions) just seemed so cruel. We weren't sure what the process would be like, but Dr Kristen explained everything beforehand and was so kind and compassionate. She radiates love and a sense of calmness. which was exactly what we needed. She thoroughly explained everything, and was very kind in her approach. we were so impressed by her professionalism and heart. she truly made what was a hard decision, seem more like the right choice. we will miss our boy forever but were so thankful for Dr Kristen and Lap of Love.

East Meadow, New York

Dear Dr. Kristen, As we explained to you when we met, our family had a horrible experience when putting our family dog Brandy (a Golden) down 24 years ago. Our next dog, Angel, died naturally at home 16 years ago. The fear of that happening again is what made it so hard to make the call to Lap of Love to have our beloved Tia, who was almost 16, cross over the rainbow bridge. We want to thank you from all of our family members for giving us a loving memory of letting her go. You were so kind, compassionate and gentle with her from the moment you stepped through our front door until we carried her out of her home. We will only remember a peaceful passing and the birds outside "singing her up to heaven". Thank you for the wonderful work you do. The Gately Family

chelsea

laguna beach, California

my greatest fear was realized when i received my veterinarian's diagnosis of cancer. worse yet, i had days, not weeks or months. albert was the greatest light in my life and rescuing him was the best thing i've ever done. so the pain of losing him threatened to swallow me whole. under the worst possible circumstances, i met dr. melissa. to have her come into my home and greet and love on albert as if she'd known him for years was the most comforting and beautiful expression of her work. this is seriously her purpose... to guide grieving parents through this process and to deliver our beloved pets safely and peacefully into their afterlife. she is the loveliest of souls and she was a tremendous support during the most difficult challenge of my life. i'm so very very grateful, dr. melissa, that you were there with albert and me (as well as my parents and fiance, who also think the world of you). you will always hold such a special place in my heart.

Rachael and Rita

Mableton, Georgia

We met Dr. Lauren last November at Atlanta Pet Expo. A few days later we needed her for our beloved chow Sugarbear. That was our first phenomenal experience with Lap of Love. We kept in touch with Dr. Lauren, as she touched our hearts so deeply. We believe it was divine intervention that led us to meet her when we did. Yesterday, I called Dr. Lauren after leaving Peikah, my 15 year old Pekingese' vet with an a heavy heart. I needed guidance that the vet did not provide. That's where Dr. Lauren steps in. She listened to my concerns and gave me honest and up front feedback. She scheduled an appointment into her already busy day, as she did not want Peikah to suffer needlessly over night. Pl When she arrived we talked about Peikah's health history and treatment options and made the decision that we felt was the kindest and most loving thing we could do for her..... One final act of love. Dr. Lauren gave us some time alone with out sweet girl, then she came back in and reassured us of the process, even though we were familiar with it. She did not rush us. She gave us the time we needed to say our goodbyes and help our other two pups understand what was happening and put then at ease as well. We couldn't ask for a more kind and compassionate spirit in Dr. Lauren. She was truly a blessing in our time of need.

Peachtree City, Georgia

I just wanted to express our gratitude for the care, comfort and consideration Dr. Sydney provided to us during her visit. My boyfriend was running late but I did not want to let our buddy go without him being present. Dr Sydney cleared her schedule to ensure we wouldn’t feel rushed during the event. It was so thoughtful of her and the entire experience was handled with the utmost care. She truly made the difficult situation so much easier. We would highly recommend Lap of Love to family and friends. Thank you again.

Sherylene

Deerfield Beach, Florida

Thank you, Dr. Jordan, for the support and kindness you offered to Cheerio, and to me and my daughter, on this very difficult day. It was a blessing to allow Cheerio to cross the Rainbow Bridge in the yard he loved to sunbathe in. We miss him so much, but know that he was surrounded by the love of his family, and we are grateful to you for providing such comfort. Thank you, Sherylene and Brianna Alfaro

Kristin

Oceanside, New York

Dr Kristen was amazing. She made the process easy, calm and as loving as possible. We truly feel blessed that our boy left us in his house where he spent 21 amazing years and surrounded by love! the thought of him leaving this life in a vets office, surrounded by strangers and not one family member (due to covid restrictions) just seemed so cruel. We weren't sure what the process would be like, but Dr Kristen explained everything beforehand and was so kind and compassionate. She radiates love and a sense of calmness. which was exactly what we needed. She thoroughly explained everything, and was very kind in her approach. we were so impressed by her professionalism and heart. she truly made what was a hard decision, seem more like the right choice. we will miss our boy forever but were so thankful for Dr Kristen and Lap of Love.

East Meadow, New York

Dear Dr. Kristen, As we explained to you when we met, our family had a horrible experience when putting our family dog Brandy (a Golden) down 24 years ago. Our next dog, Angel, died naturally at home 16 years ago. The fear of that happening again is what made it so hard to make the call to Lap of Love to have our beloved Tia, who was almost 16, cross over the rainbow bridge. We want to thank you from all of our family members for giving us a loving memory of letting her go. You were so kind, compassionate and gentle with her from the moment you stepped through our front door until we carried her out of her home. We will only remember a peaceful passing and the birds outside "singing her up to heaven". Thank you for the wonderful work you do. The Gately Family

chelsea

laguna beach, California

my greatest fear was realized when i received my veterinarian's diagnosis of cancer. worse yet, i had days, not weeks or months. albert was the greatest light in my life and rescuing him was the best thing i've ever done. so the pain of losing him threatened to swallow me whole. under the worst possible circumstances, i met dr. melissa. to have her come into my home and greet and love on albert as if she'd known him for years was the most comforting and beautiful expression of her work. this is seriously her purpose... to guide grieving parents through this process and to deliver our beloved pets safely and peacefully into their afterlife. she is the loveliest of souls and she was a tremendous support during the most difficult challenge of my life. i'm so very very grateful, dr. melissa, that you were there with albert and me (as well as my parents and fiance, who also think the world of you). you will always hold such a special place in my heart.

Helpful resources

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How Will I Know It's Time

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Common Geriatric Pet Symptoms

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