In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Naples & Ft. Myers Areas

My earliest memory of veterinary medicine is taking our new golden retriever to get her first set of vaccinations when I was a young child. My mom says after that moment, I set my heart on becoming an animal doctor and nothing was going to change my mind. Many years later, I attended The Ohio State University for my undergraduate degree in Animal Science. After growing tired of the snow and cold weather, I completed veterinary school at St. George’s University located in the Caribbean on the island of Grenada. While I was there, I spent my time coordinating free health clinics for people and their pets. It was those clinics and moments that taught me the importance of the human-animal bond. People didn’t mind waiting in the heat or the rain; they just wanted to make sure their family pet was healthy.

After graduating veterinary school, I moved back home to Fort Myers, Florida to be closer to my family. After a couple of years in general practice, I realized I had a passion and calling for hospice and end of life care. I find it extremely rewarding to help families find ways of providing a good quality of life and comfort to their pet in the final days, and to help guide and support them when it is time to say goodbye. It is such an honor to provide this service to pets at home, in an environment where they’re most comfortable and surrounded by loved ones. While our pets are only here for such a short time, they make such a large impact in every part of our life.

Much of my spare time is spent with family and our multitude of golden retrievers. I often recommend a good lint roller to anyone who comes to our family gatherings. My golden retriever is named Beemer and he is well known for his crazy antics around the house. His two partners in crime are my cats, Harley and Arthur.

I was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, which was the winter home of Thomas Alva Edison and Henry Ford. I grew up around horses, and have always loved spending time with them. I knew early on that I wanted a career that would allow me to be around horses as much as possible. 

I completed my undergraduate work, and then earned my veterinary degree in 2002 from the University of Florida. I started my career with an equine internship in Texas, and then moved back home to work as a large animal veterinarian. In that position, I traveled to various ranches—including one ranch where I met the father of my children at a set of cowpens known as Devil's Garden. I love the nature of ambulatory medicine, and also enjoy providing preventative care for horses and small animals. 

I have been fortunate not to have to make the decision to euthanize any of my own pets, as most of them have died of old age or due to tragic circumstances out of my control. However, I have performed many in-hospital euthanasias, which can be rushed and sterile. I believe that in-home euthanasia is a special gift because it gives the family closure. 

When I am not working, I like to read novels. I would love to travel more, including to Scotland and many places in the U.S.