Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Andrew Ernst
Growing up in the “Amish country” of Lancaster, Pennsylvania—no, I'm not Amish—I spent most of my time around animals and had almost every pet you can imagine. My father was a high school biology teacher and had countless classroom pets, including snakes, rats, iguanas, and tarantulas. My love for animals and fascination with medicine made a veterinary career the obvious choice for me.
I received my bachelor’s degree in animal behavior from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster before attending the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.
After receiving my veterinary degree, I moved back up north with my wife and began a small animal rotating internship with a focus on emergency and critical care. Even with the 12-hour overnight shifts, I loved working in the emergency room and spent four years doing that work. While working in emergency medicine, I performed countless euthanasia procedures. Being able to end an animal’s suffering while helping clients through this difficult time was one of the most fulfilling parts of my work, and it shaped me into a kinder and more compassionate person.
I’ve had many animals in my life, and dealing with their passing was never easy. But, I’ve learned that having a kind and gentle person who treats your pet with love and respect during the process makes all the difference in the world. In my role at Lap of Love, I aim to be a strong, kind, and gentle presence to help families through this difficult time.
When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, tinkering with my computer, and spending as much free time as possible with my wife and our three cats!
About Dr. Becky Frank
I grew up in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY, called Alden. I wanted to be a vet from the time I could walk and constantly brought home stray cats, cleared innocent worms from sidewalks after the rain fell, and watched nature programs without ceasing. I evolved from there, when I got a dog at age 8 and began to ride horses at 10. I attended veterinary school at Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
I enjoy an eclectic smattering of disciplines within the veterinary field, including beef feedlot medicine, exotic medicine, horse sports medicine, homeopathic alternatives such as chiropractic and acupuncture, and geriatric medicine/end of life care. I love being a vet because I am passionate about helping people, and I understand that when I am working with someone’s pet, I’m working with their family member. I also recognize that I’m treating the client in addition to the animal.
Unfortunately, I have lost several pets in my life ranging from birds to horses. The most devastating to me was when my dog, who had a severe heart murmur, died in my arms while I was helping the cardiologist hold him for and ultrasound. My last dog to pass went through extensive geriatric care, and sadly passed while I was in veterinary school. From these experiences, I understand the difficulty of saying goodbye to a beloved friend. I love helping families say goodbye and give their friend the most dignified end that they can by administering peace at home. I joined Lap of Love knowing I can help families through difficult times and the grief that they may be feeling.
Outside of veterinary medicine I enjoy running, triathlons, kayaking, kickboxing, hunting, painting, playing piano, and just fooling around with my two dogs at the dog park.
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Amy Parrish
Ever since I learned that marine biologists don’t spend all day swimming with dolphins, I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up in Easton, PA, dreaming of being just like James Herriot. After completing a bachelor’s degree at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, I graduated veterinary school from his alma mater, the University of Glasgow. After graduation, I relocated to Frederick, MD and started at a mixed animal practice that enabled me to help families of both the “small” and “large” variety. While there, I realized that the times I felt most fulfilled involved guiding families through end of life decisions for their furry family members.
After attending several lectures presented by Dr. Dani McVety and Dr. Mary Gardner, I had a bit of a light-bulb moment when it became apparent that end of life care was a real career option. Shortly after returning home from that conference, my own dog fell ill. Hogan had been there for me and my family through quite a few major life events, and I ended up having to help him gain his wings after a brief battle with cancer. Being able to give him the gift of being in his own backyard (his favorite place to lay and people watch) cemented in my mind that I wanted to be able to do the same for other families.
Aside from veterinary life, I also enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs, Rocky, the black lab and Willow, the boxer mix. I also enjoy photography, singing, musical theatre, reading, crafts, camping, traveling, and horseback riding, and have also started flyball training with Willow.
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Kate Gerow
I’m one of those vets that grew up knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life; I never had any hesitation on career day! I ‘rescued’ box turtles and lizards in our backyard for a few hours before having to set them free. I longed for a puppy or a pony every birthday and Christmas. My family moved from Florida to Texas to Georgia when I was young, making owning pets difficult, but I worked at horse farms, animal clinics, and Zoo Atlanta to make up for what I didn’t have at home.
I followed my dreams and obtained a degree in Animal Science at Berry College in Georgia and then went on to the University of Georgia for Veterinary School. My initial focus was in equine medicine, but I was also lucky to have a broad-based education in all species. Toward the end of vet school, I landed an internship in California and was thrilled to have the opportunity to explore the West while working out there for 11 years in equine ambulatory and small animal practices. In my free time I have always enjoyed traveling, biking, photography and running.
While in California I adopted my ‘heart dog’, Kona, a Catahoula Leopard Dog, who is still my grey muzzle sweetheart today. I also became a military spouse and we ended up landing in Pennsylvania with two more adopted mutts, Maui and Citra. Maui is a very cuddly, brindle Mountain Cur mix who is currently battling Lymphoma. Citra is a shepherd mix and a hindleg-amputee, but also a very loud home security system! These dogs have taught me a lot about medicine, canine fortitude and also about the depth of the human animal bond.
Although I have dogs at home, my feline patients at work are the highlight of my day! I have special interests in feline medicine, dermatology, oncology and, of course, palliative care. I have always felt a special dedication to understanding my patients’ comfort and taking the time to treat them as if they were my own pets. It is an honor and a privilege to provide families a peaceful time to say goodbye in the comfort of their own surroundings.
About Dr. Andrew Ernst
Growing up in the “Amish country” of Lancaster, Pennsylvania—no, I'm not Amish—I spent most of my time around animals and had almost every pet you can imagine. My father was a high school biology teacher and had countless classroom pets, including snakes, rats, iguanas, and tarantulas. My love for animals and fascination with medicine made a veterinary career the obvious choice for me.
I received my bachelor’s degree in animal behavior from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster before attending the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.
After receiving my veterinary degree, I moved back up north with my wife and began a small animal rotating internship with a focus on emergency and critical care. Even with the 12-hour overnight shifts, I loved working in the emergency room and spent four years doing that work. While working in emergency medicine, I performed countless euthanasia procedures. Being able to end an animal’s suffering while helping clients through this difficult time was one of the most fulfilling parts of my work, and it shaped me into a kinder and more compassionate person.
I’ve had many animals in my life, and dealing with their passing was never easy. But, I’ve learned that having a kind and gentle person who treats your pet with love and respect during the process makes all the difference in the world. In my role at Lap of Love, I aim to be a strong, kind, and gentle presence to help families through this difficult time.
When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, tinkering with my computer, and spending as much free time as possible with my wife and our three cats!
About Dr. Becky Frank
I grew up in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY, called Alden. I wanted to be a vet from the time I could walk and constantly brought home stray cats, cleared innocent worms from sidewalks after the rain fell, and watched nature programs without ceasing. I evolved from there, when I got a dog at age 8 and began to ride horses at 10. I attended veterinary school at Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
I enjoy an eclectic smattering of disciplines within the veterinary field, including beef feedlot medicine, exotic medicine, horse sports medicine, homeopathic alternatives such as chiropractic and acupuncture, and geriatric medicine/end of life care. I love being a vet because I am passionate about helping people, and I understand that when I am working with someone’s pet, I’m working with their family member. I also recognize that I’m treating the client in addition to the animal.
Unfortunately, I have lost several pets in my life ranging from birds to horses. The most devastating to me was when my dog, who had a severe heart murmur, died in my arms while I was helping the cardiologist hold him for and ultrasound. My last dog to pass went through extensive geriatric care, and sadly passed while I was in veterinary school. From these experiences, I understand the difficulty of saying goodbye to a beloved friend. I love helping families say goodbye and give their friend the most dignified end that they can by administering peace at home. I joined Lap of Love knowing I can help families through difficult times and the grief that they may be feeling.
Outside of veterinary medicine I enjoy running, triathlons, kayaking, kickboxing, hunting, painting, playing piano, and just fooling around with my two dogs at the dog park.
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Amy Parrish
Ever since I learned that marine biologists don’t spend all day swimming with dolphins, I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up in Easton, PA, dreaming of being just like James Herriot. After completing a bachelor’s degree at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, I graduated veterinary school from his alma mater, the University of Glasgow. After graduation, I relocated to Frederick, MD and started at a mixed animal practice that enabled me to help families of both the “small” and “large” variety. While there, I realized that the times I felt most fulfilled involved guiding families through end of life decisions for their furry family members.
After attending several lectures presented by Dr. Dani McVety and Dr. Mary Gardner, I had a bit of a light-bulb moment when it became apparent that end of life care was a real career option. Shortly after returning home from that conference, my own dog fell ill. Hogan had been there for me and my family through quite a few major life events, and I ended up having to help him gain his wings after a brief battle with cancer. Being able to give him the gift of being in his own backyard (his favorite place to lay and people watch) cemented in my mind that I wanted to be able to do the same for other families.
Aside from veterinary life, I also enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs, Rocky, the black lab and Willow, the boxer mix. I also enjoy photography, singing, musical theatre, reading, crafts, camping, traveling, and horseback riding, and have also started flyball training with Willow.
Pronouns: She/Her
About Dr. Kate Gerow
I’m one of those vets that grew up knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life; I never had any hesitation on career day! I ‘rescued’ box turtles and lizards in our backyard for a few hours before having to set them free. I longed for a puppy or a pony every birthday and Christmas. My family moved from Florida to Texas to Georgia when I was young, making owning pets difficult, but I worked at horse farms, animal clinics, and Zoo Atlanta to make up for what I didn’t have at home.
I followed my dreams and obtained a degree in Animal Science at Berry College in Georgia and then went on to the University of Georgia for Veterinary School. My initial focus was in equine medicine, but I was also lucky to have a broad-based education in all species. Toward the end of vet school, I landed an internship in California and was thrilled to have the opportunity to explore the West while working out there for 11 years in equine ambulatory and small animal practices. In my free time I have always enjoyed traveling, biking, photography and running.
While in California I adopted my ‘heart dog’, Kona, a Catahoula Leopard Dog, who is still my grey muzzle sweetheart today. I also became a military spouse and we ended up landing in Pennsylvania with two more adopted mutts, Maui and Citra. Maui is a very cuddly, brindle Mountain Cur mix who is currently battling Lymphoma. Citra is a shepherd mix and a hindleg-amputee, but also a very loud home security system! These dogs have taught me a lot about medicine, canine fortitude and also about the depth of the human animal bond.
Although I have dogs at home, my feline patients at work are the highlight of my day! I have special interests in feline medicine, dermatology, oncology and, of course, palliative care. I have always felt a special dedication to understanding my patients’ comfort and taking the time to treat them as if they were my own pets. It is an honor and a privilege to provide families a peaceful time to say goodbye in the comfort of their own surroundings.
About Dr. Andrew Ernst
Growing up in the “Amish country” of Lancaster, Pennsylvania—no, I'm not Amish—I spent most of my time around animals and had almost every pet you can imagine. My father was a high school biology teacher and had countless classroom pets, including snakes, rats, iguanas, and tarantulas. My love for animals and fascination with medicine made a veterinary career the obvious choice for me.
I received my bachelor’s degree in animal behavior from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster before attending the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.
After receiving my veterinary degree, I moved back up north with my wife and began a small animal rotating internship with a focus on emergency and critical care. Even with the 12-hour overnight shifts, I loved working in the emergency room and spent four years doing that work. While working in emergency medicine, I performed countless euthanasia procedures. Being able to end an animal’s suffering while helping clients through this difficult time was one of the most fulfilling parts of my work, and it shaped me into a kinder and more compassionate person.
I’ve had many animals in my life, and dealing with their passing was never easy. But, I’ve learned that having a kind and gentle person who treats your pet with love and respect during the process makes all the difference in the world. In my role at Lap of Love, I aim to be a strong, kind, and gentle presence to help families through this difficult time.
When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, tinkering with my computer, and spending as much free time as possible with my wife and our three cats!