Veterinarian Overview
Like many veterinarians, I have always adored animals and knew from a young age that this passion would drive my career path. As a Nebraska native, one of my most treasured childhood memories was helping my grandfather on his farm during farrowing season (the birth of piglets). Growing up, we always had family dogs as well. From a young age, I was fortunate enough to experience the unconditional love of a pet, as well as their miraculous abilities to perceive human feelings. I developed a fond appreciation of the human-animal bond through experiencing its beauty first-hand. My desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine not only stemmed from my eagerness to help and protect animals, but also from an inclination to honor the human-animal bond through client education and support. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and participated in a cooperative veterinary program through the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University to obtain my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. While in veterinary school, I adopted my pride and joy, Riley. He is perfect for me, and an integral part of my success (and sanity) in school. Upon graduation, I got married and moved my little family from the Midwest to northeast Dallas to practice in a small animal hospital. After settling in, we decided to expand our family and adopted a second dog, Shae, who Riley became instant friends with! My husband and I absolutely love living in the DFW area. Together, one of our greatest thrills is traveling the world and planning our next big adventure. In my free time, I also enjoy taking my pups for walks and to the lake to swim, reading, gardening, cooking, and hosting our family and friends from all over the country. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is educating pet parents. I am constantly in awe of how strong the human-animal bond is, and wish to support that bond to the best of my abilities. Early in my career, my family in Nebraska had to make the incredibly difficult decision to euthanize one of my childhood pets. She was considered to be ?my? dog (I was her primary caretaker until I went to college), so my family consulted with me throughout her final weeks and days. My biggest regret was not being able to be there when she passed peacefully; however, I learned so much about the role of being a pet parent during the end of life process through this occurrence. This experience led me to realize that one of the most humbling and precious gifts veterinarians are afforded is the ability to end or prevent suffering via euthanasia. It also inspired me to pursue end of life care. I believe every pet deserves to be surrounded by their loving family in the most comfortable space during their last moments. My goal is to compassionately support families throughout these final stages of their pet?s life and to assist with a peaceful passing in the most beautiful way possible.
