In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Austin & Surrounding Areas

I grew up in Huntsville, AL, and have always felt a calling toward animals and veterinary medicine. At the age of 3, my favorite weekly outing was to the pet shop just behind my childhood home. I remember anxiously awaiting that trip each week, and would have brought home every pet in the store if I could!

When I was 10 years old, my 5th grade class participated in an economic education program that provided hands-on learning experience for students. As part of this program, our teacher created a mock village, where each student had a specific job at a “business.” If multiple students were interested in the same position, we had interviews and elections to appoint the person to the specific role. One of the positions was the “Zookeeper,” which consisted of taking care of the class fish. Although this was the “lowest paying” job (yes, we got paid fake money to put toward an auction at the end of the year), I knew it was the role for me! I proudly accepted the position, with no election needed, and carried out my duties.

As I transitioned through middle and high school, I desired to learn more about animals and surrounded myself with them in any way possible. Accordingly, I continued on the path toward becoming a veterinarian, and later graduated from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where I began my career as a general practitioner.

While working in general practice, I quickly felt a distinguished sense of value when I was assisting a family through the final moments with their pets; having the ability to offer comfort to families and a peaceful transition for their pets gave me a whole new sense of purpose as a veterinarian.

Today, I am honored to have the opportunity of making this the focus of my veterinary career through Lap of Love. My pets are family to me, and I want nothing more than to offer them a peaceful passing in the comfort of their own home during their final moments. As a hospice veterinarian, I am able to fulfill a greater purpose of providing that same level of care to other families as well, which in my opinion is what every pet and family deserves.

Growing up on the outskirts of a small town in southwest Missouri, I spent most of my childhood undertaking brave “expeditions” into the Wild—aka the woods behind my house. As the world’s next Steve Irwin (or so I liked to think), I was always on the search for wildlife, and the rush of pure excitement I would experience when I stumbled upon a fresh animal track could rival that of Steve’s.

This fascination with all things nature meant that when my five-year-old self first learned that animal doctors actually exist and are called “vegetarians” (couldn’t even get the name right yet), I triumphantly exclaimed to the world “THAT’s what I want to be when I grow up!” This decision shaped the following chapters of my life, and after graduating from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine I moved to Austin, Texas to begin my veterinary career as a general practitioner.

I gained invaluable experience and enjoyed developing relationships with the pets and families I served; however, I soon began to realize that the appointments which resonated the most with me were those that centered around end-of-life care. These were the moments and conversations in which I felt most helpful as a veterinarian, not only to the pets but to their families as well. Pursuit of this passion drew me to Lap of Love, where I have the privilege of partnering with pet parents in their time of greatest need. Helping families navigate the end-of-life stage and assisting pets in their final transition is the utmost honor. 

I share my home with my mischievous cats Cleo and Cairo who never fail to keep me on my toes and who silently judge my mediocre attempts at coffee brewing techniques. In my spare time I enjoy running, playing sand volleyball, hiking, traveling, and simply being outdoors. 

I grew up in League City, Texas, which is located between Houston and Galveston. Even though I love living in Austin, I enjoy going home to see the ocean. As a child, I loved animals and knew I wanted to work with them in some capacity. It wasn’t until I was older and started to learn about biology and how the body works that I considered medicine as a career path. Veterinary medicine was the perfect fit since I love animals and science. 

I obtained a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Texas A&M Galveston, and I still dearly love marine life. I thrived in a smaller school setting, which Texas A&M Galveston provided over the main campus. I was also fortunate to meet my husband during our first year of college. After graduating, I was accepted at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, where I spent four of the hardest, yet most rewarding, years of my life. 

After veterinary school, I worked at a mixed animal practice, which provided great and varied experience. However, my husband’s job in downtown Austin prompted a move, and a switch to small animal practice, and then relief work around Austin. When I first started my veterinary career, I thought I would most enjoy the animals. However, I quickly found educating clients to help them make the best decisions possible for their pets to be the most fulfilling aspect. I particularly enjoy helping families make difficult hospice care and euthanasia decisions for their beloved furry family members. 

Euthanasia can be one of the most difficult decisions for a family, but also one of the most precious and selfess gifts they can give their pet. Being a naturally empathetic and compassionate person, I find great fulfillment in helping families become comfortable with this decision, and giving pets a dignified and painless peace. 

When I am not working, I enjoy exploring Austin and traveling with my husband, Logan. We have a French Bulldog named Rocky and a Devon Rex named Winky—after the Harry Potter character—who love exploring with us. I am an avid reader of all book types, but the classics are my favorite. 

Pronouns: She/Her