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Dr. Laura

In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Raleigh & Surrounding Neighborhoods

As a young child, I lived all over the United States, but I spent most of my time growing up in Florida’s Tampa Bay area. My intention was always to head to North Carolina so that I would be able to enjoy the different seasons and visit both beaches and mountains.

We weren’t allowed to have pets when I was young, so when I got my first dog at 18, it was incredibly important to me that I gave her the best care possible. I wanted to learn everything I could, so I switched majors to a veterinary technology program at St. Petersburg College. I then went on to complete my undergraduate degree in Biology and Animal Science at the University of Florida. One thing led to another, and while working as a certified veterinary technician, I was encouraged to go to veterinary school. I completed my veterinary degree at UF.

I enjoy all aspects of small animal medicine. I spent five years working in a feline-only practice, where I became well-versed in all things cat-related. I enjoy caring for my patients in a fear-free manner that meets both their comfort and medical needs.

While in veterinary school, by some sort of serendipity, I lost my soul dog while taking a euthanasia and pet loss course—which was co-taught by Lap of Love’s own Dr. Dani McVety. My dog was the reason I got started in veterinary medicine. Her vet came to our home and we gave her the happiest of goodbyes.

It is an honor to be able to help people and pets through such an impactful time and to make a positive memory from what can be an extremely difficult decision.

Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and kindling her love of art, science, and reading. We do lots of crafts, museum visits, reading, and traveling.

Our services

We’re here to support you when you need it

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

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Nancy

Greensboro, North Carolina

Dr. Carrie arrived at our scheduled time and let us know she when was on her way to our home. Our precious baby kitty, Willie Delroy, age 14, had let us know that morning that he really wasn't feeling well. Once Dr. Carrie arrived, we gently gathered Willie D. from my son's closet, where we had spent the morning snuggling, rubbing and loving him. We kept him wrapped in a soft fleece blanket and my husband and I sat on the couch with Willie D. in my lap. Dr. Carrie was very respectful and compassionate towards Willie and us the entire time. Once he began to cross the Rainbow Bridge, she told us, "he's at peace." He then became like a little rag doll in my arms. I held him for about a half hour once Dr. Carrie left. After this we tenderly prepared his little body, brushing and kissing him and swaddling him in one of our daughter's baby blankets. He now rests on a pillow in a wicker basket, swaddled and covered by our son's childhood fleece scarf. He is resting in between two large swamp sunflowers bushes that bloom every October-the month of his birth and his rebirth in Heaven. There are flowers planted right on his spot, and a small wind chime tinkles over it, along with a multicolored bouquet of curling ribbon-one of Willie's favorite things. We love him eternally with all of our hearts and thank Dr. Carrie for her kind and compassionate care and aftercare-following up with us over these past couple of weeks. Her work clearly is a labor of love.

Lori

East Amherst, New York

Dr. Kathy Kivi was amazing. We were so devastated to say goodbye to our best buddy of almost 14 years. Leo was the best of the best. Dr. Kathy was so patient in explaining everything and giving us the time to go at our own pace. She took the time and treated him with such dignity and respect. I couldn’t have asked for more. Leo was in the comfort of his own home surrounded by the family he loved and who loved him with all their heart. I can’t thank Dr. Kathy enough for helping us through this difficult time.

Tallahassee, Florida

Dr. Goyert was assigned our case. She called when she was on her way, and she met Nero where he was, comfortable, on my bed. She explained the procedure, gave him a few scritches, allowed us some time to tell him good bye and when we were ready, she began the procedure. She gave him a sedative which put him to sleep and after she was sure he was good and ready, she gave him the medication that sent him away. The whole time, we were allowed to pet him, tell him he was a good boy, and comfort him and even after he was gone. When we were ready. She imprinted his paw, offered us a fur clipping, and got this adorable little basket with a blanket and a pillow to collect him and transport him to the crematory. It was so very hard but it was the best decision we could make for him rather than leave him to suffer. Dr. Goyert was very professional and allowed us the privilege to be a part of the next leg of his journey. The next day, she followed up with an email checking in with us and a few days later we received a card from her. It was nice of her to take a few moments to reach out and check in with us. I will always miss my good boy and I will always be forever grateful for the services of Dr. Goyert and Lap of Love.

Andrea

Loveland, Colorado

Dr. Peters was so patient and loving with our boy. She took her time and was comforting and compassionate to us, Hamilton, and our other dog, Winnie. We were grateful she was there to help Hamilton transition over the Rainbow Bridge. We will never be able to thank her enough for relieving our sweet boy from his pain and discomfort in such a beautiful, caring way.

christina

Fort Pierce, Florida

We are so happy we made the decision to say good-bye to our dear Kipper with the support of Dr. Katie Flood. Dr. Flood made the experience as comfortable for everyone as could be. Her kindness, compassion and care made the experience of putting our dog down a bit easier. Kipper and I were outside the house when Dr.Flood arrived, and when I was going to go back inside Dr.Flood suggested we stay outside since we knew Kipper enjoyed being there. So the blanket came out and Kipper laid down comfortably, and we said our good-byes nearby one of his favorite trees. Thank you Dr. Flood for making this experience a little easier and definitely more comfortable than the alternative! I heard about this company from a friend who had recently lost their dog, and I will certainly pass lap of love on to others!

Wendy

South Portland, Maine

It's never easy letting go of our furry friends, my heart goes out to anyone who is reading this who has or is about to let go of the best companions us humans can ask for. Our beloved dog Flick, (or as we nicknamed him, Flickerman) was 13 and had been slowly declining in health for months until he finally had trouble walking. After months of braces, medication and even doggy acupuncture (yes, that's a thing) we knew it was time to have someone access his quality of life. We decided if he needed to cross the rainbow bridge that he should do it at home with his people. We contacted Lap of Love, unsure of our next steps and they were not only kind and sympathetic but prompt and professional in their response. Dr. Jason was beyond compassionate and thoughtful in his assessment of our boy and his aid in helping him cross over. He explained patiently and thoroughly what he suspected the diagnosis was for Flick, which gave much comfort to my parents (my father in particular) in the days following. As the most fact-based person I know, having the "why" explained to my dad has undoubtedly been a major aid in the process helping him process the grief of losing his best buddy. Dr. Jason was patient and kind, and so respectful of our Flickerman throughout the entire process. My family and I, though we miss Flick like crazy, are at peace with his passing and the circumstances around it thanks to the warm hearted and gentle care that Dr. Jason provided us. I can't thank him enough for giving our Flick the gentle and compassionate goodbye that he deserved, right alongside his people. Just know, if you're with Dr. Jason, you're in the right hands. Thank you, Dr. Jason, for your service and profound empathy.

Nancy

Greensboro, North Carolina

Dr. Carrie arrived at our scheduled time and let us know she when was on her way to our home. Our precious baby kitty, Willie Delroy, age 14, had let us know that morning that he really wasn't feeling well. Once Dr. Carrie arrived, we gently gathered Willie D. from my son's closet, where we had spent the morning snuggling, rubbing and loving him. We kept him wrapped in a soft fleece blanket and my husband and I sat on the couch with Willie D. in my lap. Dr. Carrie was very respectful and compassionate towards Willie and us the entire time. Once he began to cross the Rainbow Bridge, she told us, "he's at peace." He then became like a little rag doll in my arms. I held him for about a half hour once Dr. Carrie left. After this we tenderly prepared his little body, brushing and kissing him and swaddling him in one of our daughter's baby blankets. He now rests on a pillow in a wicker basket, swaddled and covered by our son's childhood fleece scarf. He is resting in between two large swamp sunflowers bushes that bloom every October-the month of his birth and his rebirth in Heaven. There are flowers planted right on his spot, and a small wind chime tinkles over it, along with a multicolored bouquet of curling ribbon-one of Willie's favorite things. We love him eternally with all of our hearts and thank Dr. Carrie for her kind and compassionate care and aftercare-following up with us over these past couple of weeks. Her work clearly is a labor of love.

Lori

East Amherst, New York

Dr. Kathy Kivi was amazing. We were so devastated to say goodbye to our best buddy of almost 14 years. Leo was the best of the best. Dr. Kathy was so patient in explaining everything and giving us the time to go at our own pace. She took the time and treated him with such dignity and respect. I couldn’t have asked for more. Leo was in the comfort of his own home surrounded by the family he loved and who loved him with all their heart. I can’t thank Dr. Kathy enough for helping us through this difficult time.

Tallahassee, Florida

Dr. Goyert was assigned our case. She called when she was on her way, and she met Nero where he was, comfortable, on my bed. She explained the procedure, gave him a few scritches, allowed us some time to tell him good bye and when we were ready, she began the procedure. She gave him a sedative which put him to sleep and after she was sure he was good and ready, she gave him the medication that sent him away. The whole time, we were allowed to pet him, tell him he was a good boy, and comfort him and even after he was gone. When we were ready. She imprinted his paw, offered us a fur clipping, and got this adorable little basket with a blanket and a pillow to collect him and transport him to the crematory. It was so very hard but it was the best decision we could make for him rather than leave him to suffer. Dr. Goyert was very professional and allowed us the privilege to be a part of the next leg of his journey. The next day, she followed up with an email checking in with us and a few days later we received a card from her. It was nice of her to take a few moments to reach out and check in with us. I will always miss my good boy and I will always be forever grateful for the services of Dr. Goyert and Lap of Love.

Andrea

Loveland, Colorado

Dr. Peters was so patient and loving with our boy. She took her time and was comforting and compassionate to us, Hamilton, and our other dog, Winnie. We were grateful she was there to help Hamilton transition over the Rainbow Bridge. We will never be able to thank her enough for relieving our sweet boy from his pain and discomfort in such a beautiful, caring way.

christina

Fort Pierce, Florida

We are so happy we made the decision to say good-bye to our dear Kipper with the support of Dr. Katie Flood. Dr. Flood made the experience as comfortable for everyone as could be. Her kindness, compassion and care made the experience of putting our dog down a bit easier. Kipper and I were outside the house when Dr.Flood arrived, and when I was going to go back inside Dr.Flood suggested we stay outside since we knew Kipper enjoyed being there. So the blanket came out and Kipper laid down comfortably, and we said our good-byes nearby one of his favorite trees. Thank you Dr. Flood for making this experience a little easier and definitely more comfortable than the alternative! I heard about this company from a friend who had recently lost their dog, and I will certainly pass lap of love on to others!

Wendy

South Portland, Maine

It's never easy letting go of our furry friends, my heart goes out to anyone who is reading this who has or is about to let go of the best companions us humans can ask for. Our beloved dog Flick, (or as we nicknamed him, Flickerman) was 13 and had been slowly declining in health for months until he finally had trouble walking. After months of braces, medication and even doggy acupuncture (yes, that's a thing) we knew it was time to have someone access his quality of life. We decided if he needed to cross the rainbow bridge that he should do it at home with his people. We contacted Lap of Love, unsure of our next steps and they were not only kind and sympathetic but prompt and professional in their response. Dr. Jason was beyond compassionate and thoughtful in his assessment of our boy and his aid in helping him cross over. He explained patiently and thoroughly what he suspected the diagnosis was for Flick, which gave much comfort to my parents (my father in particular) in the days following. As the most fact-based person I know, having the "why" explained to my dad has undoubtedly been a major aid in the process helping him process the grief of losing his best buddy. Dr. Jason was patient and kind, and so respectful of our Flickerman throughout the entire process. My family and I, though we miss Flick like crazy, are at peace with his passing and the circumstances around it thanks to the warm hearted and gentle care that Dr. Jason provided us. I can't thank him enough for giving our Flick the gentle and compassionate goodbye that he deserved, right alongside his people. Just know, if you're with Dr. Jason, you're in the right hands. Thank you, Dr. Jason, for your service and profound empathy.

Nancy

Greensboro, North Carolina

Dr. Carrie arrived at our scheduled time and let us know she when was on her way to our home. Our precious baby kitty, Willie Delroy, age 14, had let us know that morning that he really wasn't feeling well. Once Dr. Carrie arrived, we gently gathered Willie D. from my son's closet, where we had spent the morning snuggling, rubbing and loving him. We kept him wrapped in a soft fleece blanket and my husband and I sat on the couch with Willie D. in my lap. Dr. Carrie was very respectful and compassionate towards Willie and us the entire time. Once he began to cross the Rainbow Bridge, she told us, "he's at peace." He then became like a little rag doll in my arms. I held him for about a half hour once Dr. Carrie left. After this we tenderly prepared his little body, brushing and kissing him and swaddling him in one of our daughter's baby blankets. He now rests on a pillow in a wicker basket, swaddled and covered by our son's childhood fleece scarf. He is resting in between two large swamp sunflowers bushes that bloom every October-the month of his birth and his rebirth in Heaven. There are flowers planted right on his spot, and a small wind chime tinkles over it, along with a multicolored bouquet of curling ribbon-one of Willie's favorite things. We love him eternally with all of our hearts and thank Dr. Carrie for her kind and compassionate care and aftercare-following up with us over these past couple of weeks. Her work clearly is a labor of love.

Lori

East Amherst, New York

Dr. Kathy Kivi was amazing. We were so devastated to say goodbye to our best buddy of almost 14 years. Leo was the best of the best. Dr. Kathy was so patient in explaining everything and giving us the time to go at our own pace. She took the time and treated him with such dignity and respect. I couldn’t have asked for more. Leo was in the comfort of his own home surrounded by the family he loved and who loved him with all their heart. I can’t thank Dr. Kathy enough for helping us through this difficult time.

Helpful resources

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How Will I Know It's Time

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Common Geriatric Pet Symptoms

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