Where did you grow up?
I am a true Prescottonian. Born and raised in this beautiful town, I have seen it grow and change, but I still love to call it home. In fact, my family has been bringing our animals to Thumb Butte Animal Hospital since the 80s!
Do you have any pets?
Just a few. My husband and I have 5 dogs. Beyla is a pitbull that we adopted from YHS, who really is perfect in every way, but maybe I am biased. Sprockets, a 7-year-old wirehair dachshund, is a new addition to the crew and the only male in the pack. Some of you may know Loretta, the tiny dachshund who was abandoned in our lobby in 2022 and then raised in the clinic while we nursed her back to health. She now rules our house, all 8 pounds of her. Finally, we recently took in my mom's two United Animal Friends rescues, Josie and Paisley, who are still settling in. Aside from the dogs, we have horses and a herd of pet Belted Galloway cattle.
What made you join the veterinary field?
When I was a little girl, I told everyone I was going to be a veterinarian. I was an only child, and animals were my siblings in a way. I had a strong love for dogs and wanted to help them. Well in reality, I was not a fan of school, and when I realized you needed to go to school "forever" to become a DVM, that dream was gone. I went to culinary school out of high school and got my degree in Pastries and Baking from Le Cordon Bleu. After school, I ran a kitchen for 10 years, but I still always loved animals. When I needed a break from the heat of the kitchen, I applied at Thumb Butte to be a receptionist, and the rest is history. Not everyone is lucky enough to love their job, but every day that I come to work, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with pets and their families.
