Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Katie Cassady
As a child, growing up in Salisbury, North Carolina, my parents’ say I never stopped talking about wanting to become a veterinarian. During my undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University, I continued pursuing this dream and was fascinated by caring for all animals. After obtaining my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University, I pursued additional training to strengthen my knowledge.
I have experienced the heartbreak of suddenly losing a pet of my own. I was not ready or prepared to say goodbye. I know how important support from others was for me, and it is such an honor to provide the same level of emotional support to families during their trying times. I understand what families are going through and aim to use my skills and experience to provide the most gentle and peaceful passing.
Senior pet and hospice care has always been an interest of mine. Lap of Love provides me the opportunity to end suffering while providing comfort to both pets and their families. It is my honor to be there to help families navigate through this challenging process and help them say goodbye to a beloved family member in the relaxation of their own home.
About Dr. Dana Lewis
Growing up on Long Island, I was the kid taking care of the baby bird that fell from the nest, rescuing the turtles from the road, walking the neighbors’ dogs for fun, volunteering to clean cages at the shelter. I moved to North Carolina to attend Guilford College in Greensboro and have lived in the Triangle since graduating from Guilford. I have been a small animal veterinarian since 1997 after graduating from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. I am married and have two growing boys, a dog, a cat, and a duck. We adopted our Australian Cattle Dog, Luna Blu, in 2018 after she survived rat bait poisoning as a 10-week-old puppy. She is super smart and high energy!
Then we have Ginny, our teenage orange tabby that we bottle raised. And then there is Freddie, the last of our ducks, and he is a Rouen drake.
As a small animal veterinarian, I am very fortunate to have a career that I enjoy. I am one of fewer than 200 veterinarians worldwide, who have become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian, after completing an 18 month intensive program. Positively impacting the lives of my clients and their pets gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. I take great pleasure in the relationships that I have built serving clients.
I am honored to serve my clients in a way that eases their grief and their pet’s life as peacefully as possible. Lap of Love allows me to help my patients move on to a place with no tears. Neither the family nor the pet should be in an anxious position at that very last moment. I try to create an experience so that it's the very best that a bad moment can be. If the pet can be kept comfortable and his or her quality of life maintained through nursing care and pain management, then pet owners may be able to extend the quality time they have with their cherished companions. Every being deserves a comfortable end. Having the pet at home enables the animal maximum comfort, hospice care allows the pet to enjoy the last days of life in familiar surroundings in the company of loved ones, and it allows the family to have more time with their pet and prepare for the loss of this beloved family member.
This Lap of Love location is owned and operated by Dr. Dana Lewis.
About Dr. Christina Hampton
As a child, growing up in Albany, New York, my dream was to become a veterinarian. During my undergraduate studies at Cornell University, I was interested in all areas of veterinary medicine ranging from large animals to zoo to exotic animals. Once I started vet school, I discovered my interest was greatest for companion animals. I graduated from Washington State University and then moved to Virginia to begin working at a small animal practice. After being there for a few years, my husband, a South Carolina native, and I decided to move our family to the Triangle for its beauty and family atmosphere.
I've always found senior and hospice care to be very rewarding and an important part of veterinary medicine. When I discovered Lap of Love, I knew it was my calling. Being able to help pets cross the Rainbow Bridge and ease their suffering is such a privilege. It's my honor to be there for families and help them say goodbye to their beloved pets at home with love and dignity.
About Dr. Barbara Kirch
Growing up in the Chicago area, I was raised in a home with all sorts of animals; our family had an independent pet store and we always brought the critters home for care. Though I always had a deep love for animals, it wasn't until after graduating college from the University of Illinois that I found my way to a part-time job at a small animal clinic. After that, it didn't take long before I decided I wanted to become a veterinarian. I eventually pursued that track, graduating from North Carolina State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
I've always had a particular interest in internal medicine, especially feline, and shelter medicine work. I've worked with the ASPCA National Field Response team in emergency disaster relief after Hurricanes Harvey, Florence, and Maria in Texas, North Carolina, and St. Croix. Throughout my career as a veterinarian I've gravitated toward the roles that require helping pets and families during those delicate times where they are most in need of the utmost support.
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is such an intimate and vulnerable time for families. I believe it's an honor to be included in this moment and makes a huge difference for the family to say goodbye in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Among the pets I've lost, I most often think of my orange cat, Woody. When I learned that he was terminally ill I spent as much quality time with him as possible. A friend asked me how I'd decide when it was time to say goodbye. My only answer was, "I'll just know", and in the end, I did. I try to encourage families to trust their hearts when they are making this difficult decision, but I also realize their instincts are not informed by years of experience like mine were. Helping families navigate through the end of life process and seeing the relief on their faces when supporting them through this vulnerable time is truly rewarding.
Outside of my work in veterinary medicine, I love hiking and exploring the local woods with my black lab and teenage son. We also enjoy traveling, cooking, and watching movies together.
About Dr. Katie Cassady
As a child, growing up in Salisbury, North Carolina, my parents’ say I never stopped talking about wanting to become a veterinarian. During my undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University, I continued pursuing this dream and was fascinated by caring for all animals. After obtaining my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University, I pursued additional training to strengthen my knowledge.
I have experienced the heartbreak of suddenly losing a pet of my own. I was not ready or prepared to say goodbye. I know how important support from others was for me, and it is such an honor to provide the same level of emotional support to families during their trying times. I understand what families are going through and aim to use my skills and experience to provide the most gentle and peaceful passing.
Senior pet and hospice care has always been an interest of mine. Lap of Love provides me the opportunity to end suffering while providing comfort to both pets and their families. It is my honor to be there to help families navigate through this challenging process and help them say goodbye to a beloved family member in the relaxation of their own home.
About Dr. Dana Lewis
Growing up on Long Island, I was the kid taking care of the baby bird that fell from the nest, rescuing the turtles from the road, walking the neighbors’ dogs for fun, volunteering to clean cages at the shelter. I moved to North Carolina to attend Guilford College in Greensboro and have lived in the Triangle since graduating from Guilford. I have been a small animal veterinarian since 1997 after graduating from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. I am married and have two growing boys, a dog, a cat, and a duck. We adopted our Australian Cattle Dog, Luna Blu, in 2018 after she survived rat bait poisoning as a 10-week-old puppy. She is super smart and high energy!
Then we have Ginny, our teenage orange tabby that we bottle raised. And then there is Freddie, the last of our ducks, and he is a Rouen drake.
As a small animal veterinarian, I am very fortunate to have a career that I enjoy. I am one of fewer than 200 veterinarians worldwide, who have become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian, after completing an 18 month intensive program. Positively impacting the lives of my clients and their pets gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. I take great pleasure in the relationships that I have built serving clients.
I am honored to serve my clients in a way that eases their grief and their pet’s life as peacefully as possible. Lap of Love allows me to help my patients move on to a place with no tears. Neither the family nor the pet should be in an anxious position at that very last moment. I try to create an experience so that it's the very best that a bad moment can be. If the pet can be kept comfortable and his or her quality of life maintained through nursing care and pain management, then pet owners may be able to extend the quality time they have with their cherished companions. Every being deserves a comfortable end. Having the pet at home enables the animal maximum comfort, hospice care allows the pet to enjoy the last days of life in familiar surroundings in the company of loved ones, and it allows the family to have more time with their pet and prepare for the loss of this beloved family member.
This Lap of Love location is owned and operated by Dr. Dana Lewis.
About Dr. Christina Hampton
As a child, growing up in Albany, New York, my dream was to become a veterinarian. During my undergraduate studies at Cornell University, I was interested in all areas of veterinary medicine ranging from large animals to zoo to exotic animals. Once I started vet school, I discovered my interest was greatest for companion animals. I graduated from Washington State University and then moved to Virginia to begin working at a small animal practice. After being there for a few years, my husband, a South Carolina native, and I decided to move our family to the Triangle for its beauty and family atmosphere.
I've always found senior and hospice care to be very rewarding and an important part of veterinary medicine. When I discovered Lap of Love, I knew it was my calling. Being able to help pets cross the Rainbow Bridge and ease their suffering is such a privilege. It's my honor to be there for families and help them say goodbye to their beloved pets at home with love and dignity.
About Dr. Barbara Kirch
Growing up in the Chicago area, I was raised in a home with all sorts of animals; our family had an independent pet store and we always brought the critters home for care. Though I always had a deep love for animals, it wasn't until after graduating college from the University of Illinois that I found my way to a part-time job at a small animal clinic. After that, it didn't take long before I decided I wanted to become a veterinarian. I eventually pursued that track, graduating from North Carolina State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
I've always had a particular interest in internal medicine, especially feline, and shelter medicine work. I've worked with the ASPCA National Field Response team in emergency disaster relief after Hurricanes Harvey, Florence, and Maria in Texas, North Carolina, and St. Croix. Throughout my career as a veterinarian I've gravitated toward the roles that require helping pets and families during those delicate times where they are most in need of the utmost support.
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is such an intimate and vulnerable time for families. I believe it's an honor to be included in this moment and makes a huge difference for the family to say goodbye in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Among the pets I've lost, I most often think of my orange cat, Woody. When I learned that he was terminally ill I spent as much quality time with him as possible. A friend asked me how I'd decide when it was time to say goodbye. My only answer was, "I'll just know", and in the end, I did. I try to encourage families to trust their hearts when they are making this difficult decision, but I also realize their instincts are not informed by years of experience like mine were. Helping families navigate through the end of life process and seeing the relief on their faces when supporting them through this vulnerable time is truly rewarding.
Outside of my work in veterinary medicine, I love hiking and exploring the local woods with my black lab and teenage son. We also enjoy traveling, cooking, and watching movies together.
About Dr. Katie Cassady
As a child, growing up in Salisbury, North Carolina, my parents’ say I never stopped talking about wanting to become a veterinarian. During my undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University, I continued pursuing this dream and was fascinated by caring for all animals. After obtaining my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University, I pursued additional training to strengthen my knowledge.
I have experienced the heartbreak of suddenly losing a pet of my own. I was not ready or prepared to say goodbye. I know how important support from others was for me, and it is such an honor to provide the same level of emotional support to families during their trying times. I understand what families are going through and aim to use my skills and experience to provide the most gentle and peaceful passing.
Senior pet and hospice care has always been an interest of mine. Lap of Love provides me the opportunity to end suffering while providing comfort to both pets and their families. It is my honor to be there to help families navigate through this challenging process and help them say goodbye to a beloved family member in the relaxation of their own home.