One summer day I was riding my scooter through the neighborhood with my sister when a big grasshopper jumped out in front of me…I tried to swerve but still hit the poor little bugger. To my amazement he was still alive, however had suffered a broken leg in the collision. I scooped him up, took him inside, and proceeded to carefully splint his leg with a band-aid. I made a hospital cage for him and kept him in my room under close observation. Unfortunately, he must have suffered internal injuries, because he didn’t make it through the night. But, hey, at least I tried! I knew growing up that I either wanted to be a teacher or a veterinarian, and thought, Wow, this would be a difficult decision. However, as I matured I realized that I could be both! For a veterinarian is not only a doctor of animals but also a teacher of how to care for animals.

I grew up in Kansas with the best family in the world! During the summer I would help my grandpa with harvest…in fact the first vehicle I ever learned to drive was a combine. During the school year, I was always bringing critters home to mom and dad. I remember on one occasion ringing my own doorbell, holding a little grey kitten under my arm. My mom answered the door and I said, “Look what followed me home!” That kitten spent the next 14 years, along with the rest of the menagerie, raising my sister and me.

I went to college at the finest university in the United States…heck even the world…yep, you guessed it…Kansas State University. Go Wildcats! I spent ten wonderful years in Manhattan receiving a very diverse education. I was able to learn and eventually teach horse training, study abroad in Australia learning marine science, and faithfully support a purple football team by helping carry the goal post to Aggieville after we defeated Nebraska for the first time in seemingly forever.

I graduated from veterinary school in 2007 and started working here at Care with two other K-State alumni. Even though I am now in Wisconsin, I still feel quite at home surrounded by purple and being able to reminisce about the ole alma mater. I love working with animals of all kinds, but I particularly enjoy working with exotic species. My dream one day is to work in the field of marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation.

I have two feline kids. My oldest is, Billy, a very distinguished mama’s boy, and my youngest, Arinya, is a very ornery three-legged girl who loves the water. They absolutely keep life interesting. In my spare time I love spending time with family, gardening and playing outdoors, cooking, traveling, scuba diving, and taking naps with my cats.