Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 1992.
University of Missouri-Kansas City. BS Pharmacy 1984 Park College, BA Biology 1979.
I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and received my undergraduate degree in biology Magna Cum Laude from Park College in Parkville, Missouri in 1979. A year later I entered the School of Pharmacy at the University of Missouri in Kansas City and received my pharmacy degree in 1984 and practiced hospital and retail pharmacy for several years. In 1988, I entered the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and graduated in 1992.
After graduation I completed an internship at the Veterinary Institute of Trauma, Emergency and Critical Care in 1993. I have been practicing companion animal medicine now for over 25 years. My special interests include medical imaging, dermatology and preventive care.
I am an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. In my spare time, I enjoy snorkeling, swimming, bicycling and hiking. I have 3 cats: Opie, Carolyn, and Casey. I also have a dog named Oliver.
I joined Animal Medical Clinic of Punta Gorda in early 2004 and never looked back. The relationships I have with my colleagues is that of family. I like to spend my free time training and showing my dogs in obedience mainly, but I do play around in the sport of Schutzhund and conformation occasionally.
Since the birth of my daughter, Hailey, in August 2006 my time has been limited with the dogs. Now that Hailey is a little older and her time is devoted to school, where she is pretty much getting straight As and dance where she takes five different styles of dance.
My long-term goal professionally is to give many more years of dedication to this practice and continue to give compassionate care to each patient and pet owner.
Personally, I hope to be the best mother to my daughter and continue to train and show my dogs.
I’m active in the community by volunteering as a 4-H leader teaching livestock judging and swine showmanship, nutrition and health. My passion has always been animal science and helping the youth in our community.
I started working at the Animal Medical Clinic of Punta Gorda in 2017 (BEST DESCISION EVER). I own four dogs, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis named Whiskey and Delilah, one Chihuahua named Belle, and a mixed dog that I rescued named Ellie aka Fireball. My little sister and I own and operate a small show cattle and show pig operation called Baker Sisters Livestock.
You can always find me at the office with a big smile on my face doing what I love! Saving animals, helping to keep them healthy and being there for people when they need it most. If I happen to smell like a pig or a cow just know I was raised in a barn!
“Those who teach the most about humanity aren’t always human”
