Veterinarian Overview
About Lori Braun Like most veterinarians, I?ve always been drawn to animals. After meeting a kinkajou at a school program in 5th grade, I knew that any career I had was going to be working with animals! After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Zoology, I started my career as a zookeeper. I delighted in the variety of animals I was able to work with. However, after almost 10 years, I knew that something was missing - keeping me from the job satisfaction I wanted. Conversations with the zoo vets ended up steering me to considering medicine, which I happily did at St. Georges University. After completing my clinical year at Auburn University, I moved to Oregon to start life as a veterinarian. General practice was a wonderful experience for me ? I loved all aspects of the job. The medicine, the variety of surgeries, educating clients ? everything clicked for me. During my 10 years of practice, I realized that I had developed a passion for providing the compassionate care that is needed when a loved one is ready to go. While I still loved the prevention and treatment aspects of veterinary medicine, I felt drawn to working with pets (and their families) as they reached their final days. I believe that the job of a veterinarian is to ease suffering. Sometimes it is through preventative care, sometimes it is through treatment interventions, and sometimes it is through helping them to die with dignity and without pain and suffering. I take pride and am honored to be able to help families come to terms with, and find comfort in, the difficult decisions that are faced as beloved pets reach their later days.
