In-Home Pet Euthanasia in San Antonio & Surrounding Neighborhoods

I grew up in the southeast Texas town of Beaumont. Its proximity to Louisiana is probably why I love Cajun food so much! As a child, I always attempted to bring home stray cats, dogs, and birds, but I never succeeded in convincing my parents to keep any of them. After persisting for years, they finally caved and we got a dog. A year later we added our cat, Sam, to the family. I grew up the rest of my childhood with those two animals. Our mutt, Grins, lived for 18 years and Sam lived to be 22 years old. I was a veterinarian by the time Sam passed and was able to give him the peaceful transition he deserved, out in the sunshine in my parents' backyard, where he was happiest. I put many years of love into those two precious pets and they provided me with so much more in return! 

I earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, and then my veterinary degree, from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. My first job as a veterinarian was with a mixed animal practice, but after four years in my hometown of Beaumont, we moved to the Austin area where I concentrated on small animal medicine and surgery, and later worked in an emergency and critical care hospital. More recently, I shifted my career focus to education, and was a full-time faculty member at Austin Community College, teaching veterinary technology. In August 2021, my husband and I sold our home of 23 years and moved to our family ranch outside San Antonio. I continue to teach remotely and tutor my students as they need me.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of sharing my life with many pets. Though, with many pets, come many losses. Being able to say goodbye to my furry family members in a peaceful way has always been important to me. I have been blessed with friends who have come to my aid to help me let my pets go with dignity. Helping families with end-of-life care has always been a part of veterinary medicine that touches me deeply, and being able to ease pets' suffering in the presence of loving family members is one of the most meaningful parts of my career. 

My husband and I have three amazing kids, and we added two new daughter-in-laws in 2020 and 2021. As empty nesters, we decided that moving to our family's ranch was the best thing to do. I love hiking, and I thoroughly enjoy my outside time with our six dogs, three cats, ten chickens, two llamas, and two geese! I am also an avid reader of various writing genres. 

Pronouns: She/Her

I grew up on a farm in Griswold, Iowa, which is home to only about 1,200 people. My parents raised corn, soybeans, hogs, and sheep, and we also had a few horses and dogs—and a slew of barn cats. My mom was a veterinary technician, and I occasionally went with her to the clinic, and also helped care for our farm animals. I originally went to school for human medicine, and then marine biology. I completed an internship at the Henry Doorly Zoo after college, and stayed on for a few years as a cat and bear keeper. I loved working with the veterinarians, and decided to go back to school to study veterinary medicine. 

I went to the University of Missouri and Oregon State University for my undergraduate studies, and I also completed a summer program at the University of Hawaii-Hilo. I went back to my home state for veterinary school, attending Iowa State University, and also earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of Iowa. 

Since veterinary school, I have worked in mixed animal, equine, and small animal practices. During my career, I have developed particular passions for preventive and urgent care, internal medicine, and hospice care.

I have lost several pets over the years, and provided end-of-life care to my two dogs, Aja and Oreo, and our cat, Avoca, in the past few years. I adopted all three during vet school, and saying goodbye to them was so difficult. But, because I was able to do so at home with my family, the experience was less stressful. I think helping families say goodbye at home in a loving environment where they and their pets are most comfortable is such a blessing. 

When I am not working, I love spending time with my family, including our four kids—ages 7 to 16—who keep us very busy! We also have a Chihuahua (Ranger), dachshund (Dottie), Chesapeake Bay retriever (Cash), and a cat (Eldon), as well as a duck and 13 chickens—although that number seems to change frequently. I love traveling, trying new foods, the ocean, the mountains, and a lot of stuff in between! We got a travel trailer last summer and have enjoyed taking it to new places with the kids.