In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Aiken-Augusta & Surrounding Areas

As a kid, it never occurred to me that I could be a veterinarian, although animals always held my fascination. I was an only child, living with my mom—a busy graduate student. What a big deal it was to me to have my very first pets—a pair of gerbils. I’ll never forget how thrilled I was to watch them run on their exercise wheel and snuggle down in their nest together. I loved visiting the petting zoo near where my dad lived—feeding the animals and riding the resident camel. I couldn’t get enough! When my dad and stepmom got a kitten, I was over the moon! I absolutely adored him. When they got a Golden Retriever named ‘Jenny,’ I was beside myself—she was the four-legged sister I’d never had! We played hours of fetch where I would throw slobber-drenched balls as deep into the woods as possible. Since then, I have been blessed to welcome many more animals into my life—each one a special member of my family. I went on to finish high school and pursue a telecommunications degree at the University of Florida. Frankly, I was a little intimidated by science and math.

After graduation, I worked for a public radio station for a couple of years. I enjoyed my work, but felt like something was missing. I had the opportunity to hang out with some veterinary students and vet techs. Their conversations were so interesting and their work so rewarding. After volunteering at a small animal clinic and with the UF Foal Unit, I knew that vet school was for me. I graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. I worked for many years in small animal private practice, where I was able to really experience the depth of the human-animal bond. The most memorable moments of my career have been when I knew that I’d not only helped my patients, but helped their owners as well—through one-on-one education or counseling. I remember so many times when the waiting room was full at the end of the day, but I had a teary client in an exam room with their terminally ill pet. It was so important to me to help them and never rush them through the decision-making process and euthanasia. That is so difficult to do in a clinical setting.

As a pet owner who happens to be a veterinarian, I have had the opportunity to experience euthanasia of my beloved pets both in a clinic and at home. In fact, it didn’t occur to me to do it at home until my very anxious and fearful cat Mookie became too ill to go on. She had gotten to the point that she preferred to stay in my walk-in closet. I was able to help her leave this world peacefully and painlessly in the place where she felt safest. Wow! What an epiphany for me—why hadn’t I been doing this all along for my four-legged kids?! Knowing what I know now, I would never consider any other way for my own pets, and I feel blessed to be able to offer this to other folks who feel the same about their special family members.

My childhood was spent in the California Bay Area and Knoxville, Tennessee, where my father worked as a scientist at national laboratories. Both regions feature beautiful forests and water for swimming and boating, and I have always enjoyed spending time outdoors hiking or biking. 

I earned dual undergraduate degrees in chemistry—following in my father’s footsteps—and legal studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle. 

I grew up with several cats and dogs, and I volunteered with a large animal shelter during graduate school. I initially worked with the animal advocacy department, and then moved into the shelter’s veterinary clinic and wildlife hospital. I enjoyed being able to help animals heal and have a better life, and the experience ignited my passion for veterinary medicine. I soon went back to school to earn my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota. I love that being a veterinarian is a way that I can use my science background to help animals. 

I most enjoy practicing in underserved areas, where I can fulfill unmet needs. Palliative and geriatric care are traditionally underserved, but their roles are thankfully increasing. I have become certified in companion animal pain management and hospice and palliative care.

I have lost several pets over the years, and have experienced euthanasia under a variety of circumstances. The most comfortable experiences have been when my pets could be at home with family and receive palliative care until the end. I think the opportunity for this comfortable end-of-life option should be more widely available, and I enjoy being able to provide this service for families and their pets. 

In my free time, I enjoy hiking at the parks and trails around the area where we now live in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of Georgia and South Carolina. I also enjoy spending time with my devoted husband, two fabulous children, and several interesting cats.