I graduated from Saint Petersburg Junior College, Veterinary Technology Program, in 1981 and became certified the same year with the Florida Veterinary Technician Association. 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 Master's degree (MS) 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 Advanced Veterinary Behavior, ATE4051, during the spring semester.

     I lectured on animal behavior and related topics (e.g. human-animal bond) for various local, state, and national veterinary conferences as well as presenting a lecture/hands on lab at AALAS, a laboratory animal conference.

In the summer of 2024 I was privileged to attend the Florida Master Teacher's Seminar at Pensacola State College. I learned and taught with 35 other Florida State College professors. 
 

     I am a member of FVTA (Florida Veterinary Technician Association), AVTE (Association of Veterinary Technician Educators). I am a founding member of SVBT (Society of Veterinary Behavior), which has combined with AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior) allowing the veterinarians and veterinary technicians interested in behavior to be in the same group. I am charter member of AVBT (Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians).

     My husband, Jerry, and I have two adult children: Emily and Haven. We have a mixed breed dog: Rebel. I enjoy hanging outside with my family and working in my yard.