Animal Background

I grew up surrounded by animals in a typical residential neighborhood. My brothers and I at some point accumulated almost every type of small animal you could imagine (dogs, cats, rabbits, a wide variety of rodents, ferrets, parrots, finches, fish, and various reptiles and amphibians), much to my father’s dismay. (He eventually adopted the “if you can’t beat’em, join’em" approach.) In addition to the usual “pets,” we also frequently rehabilitated wild birds and small mammals, of which the owls were most fascinating. Because my oldest brother was enraptured with reptiles and other creepy crawlies, I developed first an acceptance and then absorption of my own (in part to prevent him from being able to torture me through my entire childhood).

I began participating in competitive obedience with Doberman Pinschers in 1980. Over the next 20 years, I titled Dobermans and a Dalmatian. I also competed in conformation, and played around a little with tracking and agility. I instructed obedience classes for many years both privately and in association with a club. I have had a long term love of Doberman Pinschers and at least one continues to share my life at all times.

Similar to many young girls, I grew up fascinated by horses but unable to own one. I have been fortunate to rectify this and now have friendship with a wonderful Polish Arabian gelding.

Veterinary Medicine

Making the decision to become a veterinarian was not hard. In fact, everyone around me assumed that was my career path before I even accepted it myself. Choosing behavioral medicine as a specialty was a little more difficult. Although I loved behavior, I was also rewardingly challenged by other medical disciplines such as critical care and neurology. In the end, the brain won. The brain is one of our last true frontiers. It is astonishing how much science has learned about the brain and the way it works. Yet despite this, we still have such a poor grasp on why humans and animal’s behave the way they do. The more questions that science answers, the more questions there are to answer. Behavioral medicine allows me to be a neurologist and internist as well. It also allows me to help people try to achieve the indescribably life-altering bond with their animals that I have had with mine.

Veterinary Experience

From 1994-1999, I practiced general medicine with a special interest in behavior and exotic pet medicine. I also have 12 years of part-time and 2 years of full time emergency medicine experience. I like to think this gives me a broad perspective when working with my behavior patients.

In 1999, I returned to Texas A&M to complete my residency. After finishing this, I remained on faculty at Texas A&M to run the Animal Behavior Service until 2007. In the summer of 2007, I returned to Houston to begin a behavior referral practice. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at TAMU, but I am looking forward to expanding my opportunities and experiences.

Education:

Graduated summa cum laude in 1993 from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
Small animal internship at Louisiana State University 1993-1994
Completed animal behavior residency and Master’s degree at Texas A&M University in 2002

Credentials/Memberships

Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Member of the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association