In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Chicago & Surrounding Suburbs

My suburban Indiana childhood was not filled with a multitude of pets like many of my veterinary colleagues.  My mother had a strict “no creepy crawly” rule, which meant if it was not a cat or a dog then the answer was “no”. Unfortunately, our family dogs passed when I was in grade school, and many years went by before there was another pet in our home.  During sophomore year of high school, I was gifted with my beloved Leopold (Siamese mix) and shortly after, Carlyle (orange tabby), who both continue to fill my life with love and joy today.  Despite the absence of a furry companion for many of my formative years, I have no memory of a time in my life when my love for animals failed to burn reverently in my heart. My parents spared no opportunity to support my passion. They not only exposed me to different aspects of the veterinary field, such as general practice, zoo medicine, and animal industry, they also instilled in me a strong work ethic and high standard of excellence. 

I am not sure if my parents ever knew how serious I was about becoming a veterinarian until I went to college, but unbeknownst to them, the support that they provided would be all that was needed to achieve my goal.   The beginning of my journey started at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida where I received a Bachelors of Agriculture with a pre-veterinary medicine focus.  During my tenure at FAMU, I actively participated in social and scholastic organizations, such as Mahogany Dance Theatre, Relay for Life, Executive Committee member of the Animal Science Club, and Volunteer with the local animal shelter. Upon graduation, my continued pursuit of career took me to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, with my main focus as Small Animal Medicine; working in small animal surgery suite and participating in low cost community vaccine/spay/neuter clinics. 

Upon graduation, I began working in small animal general practice. I was thrilled to be able to work within a strong and thriving preventative care program, but I found myself wanting to do more for the families and patients that were dealing with difficult diagnoses.  I discovered that, while making the correct diagnosis is important, helping our clients understand what the diagnosis means, how to manage it, and helping them to carry the burden of impending difficult decisions is far more important.  In the general practice setting, I found the support I wanted to give to families and the time and resources I had at my disposal were always at odds. For this reason, I am humbled and honored to be working for a company such as Lap of Love. It is my intention and my blessing to not only provide the best quality of care I can for patients, but to also provide clarity, understanding, and support for clients in a way that is unique to their pet and their individual needs.

I grew up in a small rural town in central Indiana and have always loved animals. There is just something so pure about having these little creatures live in our homes and become such integral parts of our families. I was not the person that always knew they wanted to be a veterinarian, though. I just knew I wanted to help people and animals in any way I could. I decided to focus my undergraduate studies in biology at Purdue University. During that time, I started to see how diverse veterinary medicine actually is.

My passion for end of life care first began when I started volunteering in the oncology department at the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital. It was so amazing to see how compassionate and understanding people can be while discussing the more difficult sides of life. This passion grew even more during and after the passing of my best friend, my beloved Basset Hound, Scooter. He gets a lot of credit when I look back and see how I have grown as a person. We said our final goodbye in 2013 during veterinary school and I still think about him every single day. Scooter gave me so much in this life and knowing that I could help him have a peaceful transition was the best final gift I could give him.

After completing my DVM at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, I moved north to the Chicago suburbs and began working in private practice. It did not take long for me to realize that, no matter what hospital I was at, I connected most to the geriatric and terminally ill patients and their families. These animals have stories to tell and their families care about them just as much as they did when they first met each other. Providing hospice care and euthanasia is a beautiful, kind gift for our furry family members and it’s an honor to be a part of that with each family as we give them a comfortable, dignified transition.

I grew up in Houston, Texas, as the oldest of 4 children. I can’t remember when it was that I decided I was going to become a veterinarian but it must have been sometime while my first memories were developing. Luckily, I was born into a family of animal lovers who were more than supportive of my dream. My childhood was spent surrounded by a menagerie of cats, dogs, birds, hamsters, fish, frogs, rabbits and everything in between. From a young age, I realized that the human-animal bond was special and unique from any other relationship. This is what drove my desire to become a veterinarian.

After graduating from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in small animal general practice. During my years spent helping families, I had the privilege of witnessing the many stages and forms of the human-animal bond. While I thoroughly enjoy the science and detective work of managing medical and surgical patients, there is no greater honor than helping families and their pets foster the human-animal bond during end of life care. 

Being a life-long pet parent, I understand how difficult it can be to know when and how to say good-bye to a beloved pet. Through Lap of Love, I am blessed with the opportunity to help guide owners through the last chapter of life with their pets. It is my hope to help provide the gift of comfort and a peaceful passing in a way that honors the special bond of a pet.

I grew up in Peoria, a small city in the central Illinois region that houses a diverse population of people dedicated to the health and well-being of their pets. As a young child, I was always fascinated with animals and their health, and after my first time riding a horse at the age of 5, my decision of becoming a veterinarian was solidified. My passion for the field was further fueled in my teenage years while working at Whitney Veterinary Hospital. There, I advanced from a kennel attendant up to the veterinary assistant role. One of the veterinarians took me under her wing and mentored me through medical cases to further expand my knowledge and pique my interest in the career field. 

After high school, I fast tracked my trajectory toward becoming a veterinarian. I completed my undergraduate studies at Illinois Central College then transferred to University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana College of Veterinary Medicine to obtain my veterinary degree. In veterinary school, I stumbled upon a unique interest in grief counseling through a bereavement class I attended, run by a therapist working for the university. The latter opened my eyes to a focus in my career that I was unaware of at the time. Through this class, I volunteered as a pet loss advocate on the school's hotline. 

Since veterinary school, I have led a diverse life in this career field, having practiced in small animal exclusive hospitals, managed a relief company in the Chicagoland area, performed in home euthanasia (prior to joining Lap of Love), and even led a team as Chief of Staff. I’ve always tailored my focus as a veterinarian toward quality of life and the human-animal bond, while supporting families in making decisions regarding the health and well-being of their pet(s). Though, I’ve worn many hats throughout my career, I’ve always gravitated toward end-of-life care and value the unique privilege of assisting families in the comfort of their own home with this valuable service. By providing in home care, pets can feel most at ease during this critical time in their lives. Helping these families also provides me with the ability to make myself available to ease some of their pain through my passion of grief counseling. 

Outside of work, you can usually find me working out, hiking, painting, spending time with my son, William, and devoting lots of cuddle time to my cat, Rack, and dog, Paco. My past interests include competing as a professional, natural bodybuilder, while now, I continue to incorporate exercise as a healthy coping mechanism in my daily life. 

I have been passionate about animals since I was young.  I can’t fully explain it, but there is something in my core that has always drawn me to veterinary medicine. I was born in Ontario, Canada and moved to Champaign, Illinois at the age of ten. Growing up, we had a dog, ferret, guinea pig, rabbit, and several cats, hamsters, and even rats—my favorite of the “pocket pets.” My pets were such a comfort throughout my childhood, with their unconditional love, hugs, and kisses. My mom remembers me declaring that I would grow up to be a veterinarian when I was just 5 years old, so I guess it really was meant to be.

I began my veterinary medicine journey when I was just 14, volunteering at a local veterinary practice. I worked in the kennel, restocked shelves, and cleaned the exam rooms and floors. Even doing the dirty work, I was instantly at home and knew, without a doubt, this was how I wanted to spend my life. I quickly worked through the ranks and eventually became  a receptionist and veterinary assistant. I worked at the practice throughout my undergraduate studies and am grateful for my early experiences in veterinary medicine.  

I received my undergraduate degree in biology, as well as my veterinary degree, from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During veterinary school, I gained experience working in the veterinary school’s small animal surgery department, and eventually the in-hospital laboratory, as a student technician. Since graduating from veterinary school, I’ve had many unique experiences that have taken me all over the country, working in small animal practices in Colorado, Maine, and Ohio. I even lived on a sailboat with my family for four years! 

I love every aspect of veterinary medicine, and my work as a small animal general practitioner has given me the opportunity to practice medicine and surgery while nurturing pets and their families throughout their lives.  I am trained in veterinary rehabilitation and acupuncture, and treat my patients with complementary and holistic techniques, in addition to traditional medicine. 

I value the opportunity to help families understand different ways to treat their beloved pet, and to counsel them through the most difficult decision to let them go, even when that’s the last thing their heart wants. I know how calm and nurturing the transition can be when a pet is able to pass quietly at home, surrounded by familiar faces and wrapped in love. In-home end-of-life care allows me to combine my passion for helping pets with my desire to help people.

Outside of work you can find me outdoors on walks or a neighborhood bike ride with the kids. To relax, I enjoy practicing qi gong, a flowing blend of yoga and tai chi, and I’m learning to play the ukulele. I love spending time with my husband, our two teen/tween kids, and our little dog, “Dave-the-girl-dog.”

I grew up in Worth, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, which is fairly small so I was able to walk to school each day. I lived with my mother, grandparents, and uncle, and we primarily spoke Polish, which was my first language. 

While I did play with a few dolls as a young girl, I gravitated more toward animal toys. Like many other veterinarians, I think I knew from a young age that I wanted to care for animals. When I was around 5 years old, I visited family in Poland and we found a small bird that appeared ill. My cousins and I secretly kept it inside for a few days, feeding it moistened bread and water. Eventually, we opened up the window in the bedroom and were able to watch it fly away! That is one of my fondest memories, and I reflected on it often during college and veterinary school. I earned my bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and my veterinary degree from St. George's University on the gorgeous island of Grenada in the West Indies.

I have worked in general practice, but found that this area of veterinary medicine does not fulfill my desire to make the world a better place, and to do the best I can for every patient. During veterinary school, I really enjoyed shelter work. Since the pets had no owners, I was able to make the best decisions for their care, and do whatever I could to help them heal. I was also able to spay and neuter many pets to prevent overpopulation and decrease unwanted animals in the area I was serving. I loved being able to ensure pets were healthy before they went home to their forever families. 

I believe the ability to perform in-home end-of-life care is an honor and a sincere privilege. This is the ultimate way to serve my patients, and prevent their suffering. I wish everyone could ultimately rest while comfortable, surrounded by everyone they love, and in their own home. Hospital settings can be cold, sterile, and stress-inducing. There is no better gift than allowing a pet and their family to experience their last moments of life in their most beloved place. 

Outside of veterinary medicine, I am interested in vintage and antique clothing and housewares. I enjoy spending time with my dog, trying new foods, and taking classes to learn new skills!

Growing up, I lived in Gurnee, Illinois before moving to Wadsworth, which is a small suburb outside Chicago. I really enjoyed the small-town feel while still having close access to a larger city. The cornfields were seemingly endless, and it was only a short drive to Wisconsin to stock up on delicious cheeses! 

Like many others in the profession, I have wanted to be a veterinarian since before I can remember. I loved all animals growing up—including the wild salamanders, toads, and monarch butterflies I would find in our backyard. I wanted to help every animal I met. As I discovered my love for science and medicine, my passion only grew. I loved the idea of combining my love for animals and science into a career I would truly enjoy. 

I received my bachelor’s degree in biology from Elmhurst College in Illinois before attending the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana-Champaign, where I received my veterinary degree. 

As a veterinarian, I love combining my love of animals with my passion for medicine and science. There’s nothing more rewarding than listening to a family’s concerns, examining their pet, and determining the best course of diagnostics and treatment to help their best friend feel better again. 

I've practiced in small animal general medicine since graduating from veterinary school, and while I love being able to help animals through anything from an upset stomach to endocrine disease or behavioral issues, I've found I most enjoy supporting families and their pets through end-of-life care. During my time in general practice, I've helped many animals cross the rainbow bridge, and I have many special memories of the connections I have formed with families and their pets. Losing a pet is an extremely difficult and emotional time, and I strive to make it as peaceful as possible for families and their pets. 

Outside of work, I love exploring nature and going on walks with my husband and two rescue dogs. I also enjoy baking, cooking, and playing video games. 

I completed my bachelor's of science degree in zoology in my hometown of Charleston at Eastern Illinois University, and I then earned my veterinary degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. 

I greatly enjoy diagnosing and treating the various ailments that affect our beloved pets. I find caring for animals throughout their lives and building strong bonds with their human families extremely fulfilling. Throughout my years in general practice, I developed a special interest in animal behavior, and especially helping to alleviate pets' stress and anxiety during veterinary visits and daily life. In recent years, I have obtained additional training in hospice and end-of-life care. 

As a child I was unfortunately unable to participate in the decision making or final moments of my beloved cat's life, an experience that helped shape my passion for involving the whole family in the euthanasia process. Since my childhood pet, I have been able to provide in-home euthanasia for three of my beloved dogs and two cats, and the solace the process brought my family is immeasurable. We recently said goodbye to our beloved dog, Ernie, with the help of Dr. Amy from Lap of Love. 

I feel strongly that we should do all we can to prevent anxiety and stress for our pets throughout their lives, and especially at the end. I believe that dying peacefully at home, surrounded by family and without anxiety or pain, is a special gift we can give our animal family members. 

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, and exploring new cities, and touring museums, with my family. I also love going for long walks with my dogs, curling up with a good book, and knitting a warm hat or scarf with a cat (or two!) on my lap.