In-Home Pet Euthanasia in South Central PA: Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon & York Counties

My interest in veterinary medicine began my junior year of high school, when I was fortunate enough to shadow a local veterinarian as part of a school requirement. I have been in love with the veterinary profession ever since. I continue to learn more about veterinary medicine every day, and I have come to realize it is as much about supporting people as it is about helping animals. I truly enjoy that I am able to do both in my career.

Born in central New York, I grew up near Lynchburg, Virginia, where my parents still live today. While we technically moved south to accommodate my dad’s career, my parents really appreciated getting away from the “lake effect” snow and taking advantage of the warmer weather. I liked Virginia as well and chose to stay there for both college and veterinary school. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in biology at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, I moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, where I attended the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and earned both a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree and a master of public health (MPH) degree.

I recently moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, an area I visited frequently in my childhood to spend holidays with extended family. Although my extended family has since moved out of the region, I am excited to be back in Harrisburg with my partner, two cats, and a princess of a dog, surrounded by such a wonderful sense of community and gorgeous landscape. When I am not working with clients and their furry loved ones, I look forward to spending time by the river and at the farmer’s market, exploring area hikes, testing local ski slopes, and finding out what other gems Pennsylvania has to offer. I also enjoy reading, listening to live music, dabbling in photography, and spending time with family.

Tigger, a third feline member of my family whom I affectionately called my “forever foster,” only lived with me for the second half of her life. She battled chronic kidney disease for much of that time. In August of 2015, when Tigger finally indicated to me it was time for her to leave this world, I decided to drive an hour with her to have a very close friend and veterinarian perform the compassionate act of euthanasia for her. The whole process of saying goodbye to Tigger ended up being more difficult for me than I anticipated, and I found it especially valuable to have someone I trusted perform the euthanasia and be there to support and comfort me afterward.

While I may be meeting you for the first time, I strive to act in ways that allow every family to feel the same level of trust, support, and comfort that I experienced at Tigger’s passing. If I can make a difficult time for you and your fur-baby the slightest bit easier, I will have done the job I set out to do.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I grew up in rural western Pennsylvania with my grandparents. Because my grandmother was compassionate, kind-hearted, and had a huge soft spot for all animals, our household was full of dogs and cats that had shown up on our doorstep as strays, as well as the occasional gerbil or rabbit. It was not unusual for us to take in baby birds, rabbits, and kittens to nurse back to health; they always became members of the family. My grandmother taught me that we have a duty towards other living creatures in need. I also learned from her that our pets add so much joy to our lives and give their love unconditionally to those who are kind to them. 

As a teenager, I began working in my aunt’s small animal veterinary clinic cleaning cages, doing laundry, and walking dogs. As I got older, I began to shadow her in appointments and observe patient treatments in addition to surgery. I watched as my aunt helped pets and their families from their early years to end of life and it was at this point that I developed the desire to become a veterinarian. I knew it was my calling to help families and their cherished companions in any way that I could.   

After graduating from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in both general practice and emergency medicine. During my years in emergency medicine, I was privileged to assist families and pets through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Some of the most fulfilling moments in my career have involved guiding families through providing their pets with palliative care and through the process of saying goodbye. When I moved to the Harrisburg area and discovered Lap of Love, I knew immediately that it was the right fit for me. I believe that the ability to provide relief from suffering is one of the greatest gifts that we can give our cherished companions. It is my honor to be able to help families keep their beloved companions comfortable for as long as possible and help guide them through a peaceful passing in their own homes.

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! 

I grew up in the small town of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania—my high school’s graduating class was only about 100 students. It was here that I discovered my love of nature, and the joy that animals bring us. You could say I was born to be a veterinarian. As soon as I knew what the word meant, I had no doubt that’s what I would be. Shadowing a local veterinarian in high school cemented my desire, because I loved every minute of the experience.

I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for my undergraduate studies before completing veterinary school at Michigan State University. I received a well rounded, real-world education at MSU and appreciate everyone who was a part of my experience there.  

After graduation, I spent 30 years working in small animal medicine and developed a passion for surgery, because it allowed me to cure a pet’s condition. However, not all pets can be saved, and I learned a lot about the power of the human-animal bond from my time supporting clients during their pet’s end of life. It was difficult to provide a peaceful, individualized end-of-life experience in the clinic setting, and as my career developed, I realized that I wanted to provide better end-of-life care for my patients. 

When someone loses a pet, they lose a family member who has given them the truest form of unconditional love—a family member who has supported them through trials and shared in their times of joy. Our pets deserve the ending we want for ourselves—in familiar surroundings with loved ones nearby, a last treat or hug, and release from pain. I am honored to be able to provide this for pets and their families through my role at Lap of Love.

When I’m not working I love to ride my Morgan mare, Maya—she and I have become quite the team over the last 12 years—and go on adventures with my two dogs, Bandit and Chloe. I also enjoy creating acrylic-poured art and traveling.