Katie's absolute favorite part about working with animals is their innate ability to share pure joy and love. She loves reveling in that joy alongside them, much like a golden retriever would! Katie appreciates that the hospital strives to make each pet feel safe, encouraging their true personalities to shine through.
At home, Katie has a delightful crew of four "fur kids": two cats and two dogs.
- Nugget, a lab mix with a sensitive soul like her mom, loves being around people and playing with any stuffy toy.
- Rihanna, her terrier mix, has never met a stranger, absolutely adores little kids, and lives for any treats she can get.
- Katie's cats, Andarna and Ridoc, are named after characters from the "Fourth Wing" book series. Andarna is a bit like a "sour patch kid"—sweet but can be spicy if she can't steal human food. Otherwise, you'll find her chasing her brother or cuddling in a warm, sunny spot.
- Ridoc is Katie's mischievous kiddo who finds trouble everywhere, keeping her on her toes daily by opening cabinets or trash cans.
When she's not at work, Katie absolutely loves to do paddleboard yoga in the summertime. Her go-to comfort food is chips and queso—a daily necessity, as she puts it!
A fun and surprising fact about Katie is that she was a student ambassador for the People to People program when she was 12, which allowed her to travel to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. What always makes her day better is yoga; no matter how wild things get, time on the mat always improves her mood.
Katie's favorite season is Fall. She lives for the vibrant colors, slightly chilly weather, warm cups of apple cider, and long walks with her dogs. It's also her favorite time to hike because she's not "melting away from the heat of summer."
Katie also loves traveling and immersing herself in different cultures. From food and language to history, she enjoys learning as much as she can in whatever new place she finds herself.