Long Island - Nassau County

I grew up on Long Island, New York and always enjoyed caring for our family’s animals, including hamsters, gerbils, and our family dog. I also enjoyed math and science so veterinary medicine seemed like a natural fit for me.

I attended veterinary school at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul where I pursued a concurrent master's degree in public health. I have always been interested in thinking about how humanity is connected to science and how it can help humans and animals lead healthier, fuller lives. After graduation, I was a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps for three years in Atlanta, Georgia, and later worked at several veterinary practices in the area before moving back to Long Island. 

Over the years, I have developed a sense of what is important. We only have one life to live, and so much of it is shared with our pets. Every day they are there for us, through the good and bad, making countless memories, and loving us so deeply. They are such an integral part of our lives that it’s hard to imagine them not being with us. 

Throughout my years of practice, I have learned that there are many diagnostic and therapeutic options to choose from—I often integrate traditional Chinese medicine with Western veterinary medicine— but none of these will let our pets live forever. There is a cycle to life, and when it is our pet’s time to transition from this life, I want to celebrate that richness, even when it is bittersweet. 

Saying goodbye to a family pet is one of the hardest things anyone can go through. Whether the decision is obvious or not, it is always difficult to make, and providing our pets with dignity and peace when it’s time to say, “goodbye” is sometimes the bravest and kindest thing. I see myself as a helping hand during the end-of-life transition, and I am honored to be able to provide pets and their families with peace and comfort in their home. It is a beautiful gift we can give, and I am honored to be able to provide this service through my role at Lap of Love.