I graduated from Saint Petersburg Junior College, Veterinary Technology Program, in 1981 and became certified the same year. I worked at a small animal practice (Riviera Animal Hospital) from 1981-1999 and began teaching the Small Animal Breeds and Behavior Laboratory at SPJC (Saint Petersburg Junior College, which is now Saint Petersburg College) in 1995. In May of 2000 I attended the five-day lecture and practicum class at Purdue University, DOGS 2000!. 

     I was an animal behavior laboratory research assistant at the University of South Florida from 2001-2006 where I earned my BA in psychology. I earned my Masters degree in General Psychology at Walden University in 2007. 

     I worked at Main Street Animal Hospital a bond centered small animal practice in Dunedin, Florida from 2002-2005. I continue to teach small animal behavior as well as various other courses at Saint Petersburg College, Veterinary Technology Program. Advanced Veterinary Behavior was developed by Terry Curtis, DVM, DACVB and me for the BAS program. I teach that behavior course every spring semester.

     I have given lectures on animal behavior for various local, state, and national veterinary conferences as well as AALAS a laboratory animal conference.
 

     I am a member of FVTA (Florida Veterinary Technician Association), AVTE (Association of Veterinary Techncian Educators), AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science), and NAVTA (North American Veterinary Technician Association). I am a founding member of SVBT (Society of Veterinary Behavior) and a founding member of AVBT (Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians).

     My husband, Jerry, and I have two adult offspring: Emily and Hunter. We have a Basenji mix: Rebel.