Veterinarians
Veterinarians
Proud Member Of:
Dr. Laura Purdy, Partner
Veterinarian, CHPV (Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Veterinarian )
Dr. Laura became a partner at Journeys Home in the Fall of 2018, and at the same time she completed a 16-month certification course in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. She utilizes these skills every day she works at Journeys to help pets and their families through the end-of-life process. (More introduction on her video: Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian)
When she’s not working as a veterinarian, she can be found on a small organic farm in Waunakee. She shares her home with a variety of critters including two sister kitties named Shelby and Lilah, a golden retriever named Cricket, and plenty of farm animals including chickens and goats.
Dr. Laura Purdy, Partner
Veterinarian, CHPV (Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Veterinarian )
Dr. Laura became a partner at Journeys Home in the Fall of 2018, and at the same time she completed a 16-month certification course in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. She utilizes these skills every day she works at Journeys to help pets and their families through the end-of-life process. (More introduction on her video: Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian)
When she’s not working as a veterinarian, she can be found on a small organic farm in Waunakee. She shares her home with a variety of critters including two sister kitties named Shelby and Lilah, a golden retriever named Cricket, and plenty of farm animals including chickens and goats.
Proud Member Of:
Proud Member Of:
American Veterinary Medical Association
International Association of Animal Hospice & Palliative Care
Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
Dane County Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Christine Nelson Baker, Partner
Veterinarian
Dr. Christine is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. She has practiced companion animal medicine in clinics in Arizona and around Wisconsin. She has also worked with several species of primates in sanctuaries assisting in their rescue, rehabilitation, and release.
This has allowed her to live in a few countries around the globe, so Dr. Christine has moved away from Wisconsin several times, but keeps coming back to her home state!
Through her experiences, she has seen how human relationships with animals can be a great positive for everyone involved and has recognized the need to acknowledge and encourage these connections.
Dr. Christine had the opportunity to become a partner in late 2019 and finds it extremely rewarding to assist in end-of-life pet care and to play a part in managing a small business.
Dr. Christine lives in Madison with her husband and their black Lab mix. When away from work, she loves to travel to and explore new places. She also enjoys being on the water in the pontoon boat, camping, hiking, biking, and watching the sun set over all of the beautiful local landscapes.
Dr. Christine Nelson Baker, Partner
Veterinarian
Dr. Christine is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. She has practiced companion animal medicine in clinics in Arizona and around Wisconsin. She has also worked with several species of primates in sanctuaries assisting in their rescue, rehabilitation, and release.
This has allowed her to live in a few countries around the globe, so Dr. Christine has moved away from Wisconsin several times, but keeps coming back to her home state!
Through her experiences, she has seen how human relationships with animals can be a great positive for everyone involved and has recognized the need to acknowledge and encourage these connections.
Dr. Christine had the opportunity to become a partner in late 2019 and finds it extremely rewarding to assist in end-of-life pet care and to play a part in managing a small business.
Dr. Christine lives in Madison with her husband and their black Lab mix. When away from work, she loves to travel to and explore new places. She also enjoys being on the water in the pontoon boat, camping, hiking, biking, and watching the sun set over all of the beautiful local landscapes.
Proud Member Of:
American Veterinary Medical Association
International Association of Animal Hospice & Palliative Care
Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
Dane County Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Kitt Schaller
Veterinarian
Dr. Kitt Schaller is a graduate of UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. She is certified in pet loss and grief companioning and is a member of International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, American Veterinary Medical Association and Dane County Veterinary Medical Association.
She began her career in veterinary medicine working with dairy cattle and horses using both traditional and alternative therapies. In 2018, she transitioned to Journeys Home where she found her true calling as a veterinarian. She feels incredibly honored to be able to help pet parents have a meaningful and peaceful sendoff for their sweet animals.
Dr. Kitt lives with her husband and two kids on their dairy farm in Verona. Their animal entourage includes a mixed-breed cattle dog named Ruby (who has zero interest in working cattle), a small flock of chickens, a house rabbit named Penelope, and Kevin the barn cat. Her husband milks 48 cows and married a vet for a reason. In her free time she enjoys mountain biking, cross country skiing, and playing tennis.
Dr. Kitt Schaller
Veterinarian
Dr. Kitt Schaller is a graduate of UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. She is certified in pet loss and grief companioning and is a member of International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, American Veterinary Medical Association and Dane County Veterinary Medical Association.
She began her career in veterinary medicine working with dairy cattle and horses using both traditional and alternative therapies. In 2018, she transitioned to Journeys Home where she found her true calling as a veterinarian. She feels incredibly honored to be able to help pet parents have a meaningful and peaceful sendoff for their sweet animals.
Dr. Kitt lives with her husband and two kids on their dairy farm in Verona. Their animal entourage includes a mixed-breed cattle dog named Ruby (who has zero interest in working cattle), a small flock of chickens, a house rabbit named Penelope, and Kevin the barn cat. Her husband milks 48 cows and married a vet for a reason. In her free time she enjoys mountain biking, cross country skiing, and playing tennis.
Dr. Megan Wehrwein
Veterinarian
Dr. Megan is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and the Dane County Veterinary Medical Association.
Outside of work, Dr. Megan enjoys baking, drinking coffee, lake time, and anything outdoors during Wisconsin’s summer months. Her house is run by her lab mix, Millie, and her grumpy Florida street cat, Fitz.
Dr. Megan Wehrwein
Veterinarian
Dr. Megan is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and the Dane County Veterinary Medical Association.
Outside of work, Dr. Megan enjoys baking, drinking coffee, lake time, and anything outdoors during Wisconsin’s summer months. Her house is run by her lab mix, Millie, and her grumpy Florida street cat, Fitz.
Dr. Beth Midthun
Veterinarian
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. She has also had advanced training in euthanasia through CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy).
Over the years, she developed a passion for wanting to make those final moments owners have with their pets as peaceful as possible. She is so proud to start a new chapter in her veterinary career working for Journeys. She believes helping to provide humane euthanasia in a home setting surrounded by family is a way to truly maintain the human animal bond.
She lives in the country in Rio with her husband and two children. They have a French Brittany, Ivy, who is crazy about pheasant hunting and a very special member of their family. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going shopping, making crafts, running, camping, hiking, and baking.
Dr. Beth Midthun
Veterinarian
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. She has also had advanced training in euthanasia through CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy).
Over the years, she developed a passion for wanting to make those final moments owners have with their pets as peaceful as possible. She is so proud to start a new chapter in her veterinary career working for Journeys. She believes helping to provide humane euthanasia in a home setting surrounded by family is a way to truly maintain the human animal bond.
She lives in the country in Rio with her husband and two children. They have a French Brittany, Ivy, who is crazy about pheasant hunting and a very special member of their family. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going shopping, making crafts, running, camping, hiking, and baking.
Dr. Katie Willett
Veterinarian
Dr. Katie Willett (formerly Hilst) is the founder of Journeys Home. She is now enjoying working part time as she slides into retirement, having left the business to Dr. Laura Purdy and Dr. Christine Nelson-Baker’s capable and compassionate hands.
She enjoys running, kayaking, learning the mandolin and spending time with her grown children. She has one furbaby at home “Pixie” who keeps her busy with her antics!
Dr. Katie Willett
Veterinarian
She enjoys running, kayaking, learning the mandolin and spending time with her grown children. She has one furbaby at home “Pixie” who keeps her busy with her antics!
Dr. Sam Steinich
Veterinarian
She has worked as a small animal general practitioner in Wisconsin since graduation and enjoys animal behavior and Fear Free handling, palliative care, pain management, and internal medicine. During her years in private practice, she was able to experience the true depth and strength of the human-animal bond. She also worked for several years in the UW Veterinary Oncology Research Laboratory developing therapies for canine and feline cancer patients. She has served as a community outreach veterinarian for local libraries, organizations and schools to provide education and insight into the wonderful field of veterinary medicine. Dr. Sam is honored to have joined the Journeys Home team to provide care and support to pets and their families.
Dr. Sam lives with her husband and son on a small parcel of land in Mount Horeb. They share their home with a loveable and rambunctious Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Quinn. She enjoys agility training with Quinn, hiking and painting.
Dr. Sam Steinich
Veterinarian
She has worked as a small animal general practitioner in Wisconsin since graduation and enjoys animal behavior and Fear Free handling, palliative care, pain management, and internal medicine. During her years in private practice, she was able to experience the true depth and strength of the human-animal bond. She also worked for several years in the UW Veterinary Oncology Research Laboratory developing therapies for canine and feline cancer patients. She has served as a community outreach veterinarian for local libraries, organizations and schools to provide education and insight into the wonderful field of veterinary medicine. Dr. Sam is honored to have joined the Journeys Home team to provide care and support to pets and their families.
Dr. Sam lives with her husband and son on a small parcel of land in Mount Horeb. They share their home with a loveable and rambunctious Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Quinn. She enjoys agility training with Quinn, hiking and painting.
Dr. Anna Uhl
Veterinarian
Dr. Anna Uhl knew she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine after a lifetime of being inspired by the human-animal bond and the ways companion animals enhance our lives. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Michigan Technological University and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.
She finds it a calling to provide end-of-life care and grief support in the comforts of your home, honoring the lives shared with your cherished companions. While the most heartbreaking part of pet ownership, she views providing peaceful transitions with Journeys Home as a final gift of love.
She predominantly works in primary care clinical practice. When she is not in the office, Dr. Anna enjoys living in the Madison community with her spouse, Jim, and her cuddly pet family. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and has additional certification through CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy).
Dr. Anna Uhl
Veterinarian
Dr. Anna Uhl knew she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine after a lifetime of being inspired by the human-animal bond and the ways companion animals enhance our lives. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Michigan Technological University and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.
She finds it a calling to provide end-of-life care and grief support in the comforts of your home, honoring the lives shared with your cherished companions. While the most heartbreaking part of pet ownership, she views providing peaceful transitions with Journeys Home as a final gift of love.
She predominantly works in primary care clinical practice. When she is not in the office, Dr. Anna enjoys living in the Madison community with her spouse, Jim, and her cuddly pet family. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and has additional certification through CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy).
Dr. Catie Hawkins
Veterinarian
Dr. Catie Hawkins is a UW-Madison graduate where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health. Prior to pursuing veterinary medicine, she was a middle school science teacher in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Catie hails from New England, but is now proud to call Sun Prairie her home, where she lives with her family and her fiercely friendly dog, Nilly. When not working, Dr. Catie loves spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys traveling and the outdoors.
Dr. Catie is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, Dane County Veterinary Medical Association, the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care.
Interview: Isthmus Publishing included a great article about Catie Hawkins and our work at Journeys Home Pet. See full text: www.isthmus.com
Dr. Catie Hawkins
Veterinarian
Dr. Catie Hawkins is a UW-Madison graduate where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health. Prior to pursuing veterinary medicine, she was a middle school science teacher in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Catie hails from New England, but is now proud to call Sun Prairie her home, where she lives with her family and her fiercely friendly dog, Nilly. When not working, Dr. Catie loves spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys traveling and the outdoors.
Dr. Catie is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, Dane County Veterinary Medical Association, the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care.
Interview: Isthmus Publishing included a great article about Catie Hawkins and our work at Journeys Home Pet. See full text: www.isthmus.com
Dr. Sam Jacobs
Veterinarian
Dr. Sam’s passion for Veterinary Medicine originated with seeing the compassion of other veterinarians in end-of-life care and grief support. At a young age when she was faced with saying goodbye to her first horse, she was amazed at the veterinarian’s gentle ability to explain complex medicine to a young girl and comfort her in a difficult time. From that experience she set out to help so many animals through primary care medicine but was always drawn back to helping pets and families through end-of-life care. She finds fulfillment through honoring our beloved pets and cherishing the human-animal bond.
When not in the office, Dr. Sam enjoys spending time outside with her fiance, rambunctious yellow labrador retriever (Tate), and horses (Hot Shot, and Annie). Dr. Sam continues to be very involved in local 4H by serving as a Dane County Fair Superintendent of the Horse and Pony Project. Her professional affiliations include the American Veterinary Medical Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Sam Jacobs
Veterinarian
Dr. Sam’s passion for Veterinary Medicine originated with seeing the compassion of other veterinarians in end-of-life care and grief support. At a young age when she was faced with saying goodbye to her first horse, she was amazed at the veterinarian’s gentle ability to explain complex medicine to a young girl and comfort her in a difficult time. From that experience she set out to help so many animals through primary care medicine but was always drawn back to helping pets and families through end-of-life care. She finds fulfillment through honoring our beloved pets and cherishing the human-animal bond.
When not in the office, Dr. Sam enjoys spending time outside with her fiance, rambunctious yellow labrador retriever (Tate), and horses (Hot Shot, and Annie). Dr. Sam continues to be very involved in local 4H by serving as a Dane County Fair Superintendent of the Horse and Pony Project. Her professional affiliations include the American Veterinary Medical Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Emily Lankau
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Lankau completed veterinary training at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has worked for over ten years as a data analyst and veterinarian across the public health, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and wildlife health sectors.
The slower pace of life during the early part of the pandemic offered an unexpected opportunity for reflection and recentering that led Emily to completing a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) with a focus on trauma treatment and prevention at University of Tennessee Knoxville. Joining the Journeys Home team was a welcome opportunity to apply both her social work and veterinary skills to alleviating suffering and supporting families through difficult decisions.
Emily swims and plays the ukulele for self-care, appreciates bad puns, and enjoys watching all the funny things people do on kind-hearted reality TV shows like “Nailed it” and “Floor is Lava” with her son and husband. She lives with a menagerie of furry and finned friends, including a husky mix named Pumpkin, a chihuahua-mix named Frankenstein the Zombie Queen and a hamster named Jack the Pumpkin King.
Dr. Emily Lankau
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Lankau completed veterinary training at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has worked for over ten years as a data analyst and veterinarian across the public health, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and wildlife health sectors.
The slower pace of life during the early part of the pandemic offered an unexpected opportunity for reflection and recentering that led Emily to completing a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) with a focus on trauma treatment and prevention at University of Tennessee Knoxville. Joining the Journeys Home team was a welcome opportunity to apply both her social work and veterinary skills to alleviating suffering and supporting families through difficult decisions.
Emily swims and plays the ukulele for self-care, appreciates bad puns, and enjoys watching all the funny things people do on kind-hearted reality TV shows like “Nailed it” and “Floor is Lava” with her son and husband. She lives with a menagerie of furry and finned friends, including a husky mix named Pumpkin, a chihuahua-mix named Frankenstein the Zombie Queen and a hamster named Jack the Pumpkin King.
Dr. Margaret Breisch (Courter)
Veterinarian
Margaret Breisch (Courter) is a 2017 graduate of UW Veterinary School in Madison, WI. She worked in private small animal and equine practice for 5.5 years before joining the JHPE team part time. Her clinical interests include pain management, geriatric care, internal medicine and preventative health. Dr. Margaret truly enjoys connecting with clients by providing knowledge and comfort in the convenience of their home. Dr. Margaret continues mobile services to see both large and small animals in her time away from JHPE.
She and her husband live in Stoughton and have a Shepherd/Husky mutt named Luna. Dr. Margaret also has a Saddlebred gelding named “Mud” (Mississippi Mudcat) and continues to pleasure ride in her free time. They are avid Badger and Packer fans and love to travel.
Dr. Margaret’s professional affiliations include the American Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Dr. Margaret Breisch (Courter)
Veterinarian
Margaret Breisch (Courter) is a 2017 graduate of UW Veterinary School in Madison, WI. She worked in private small animal and equine practice for 5.5 years before joining the JHPE team part time. Her clinical interests include pain management, geriatric care, internal medicine and preventative health. Dr. Margaret truly enjoys connecting with clients by providing knowledge and comfort in the convenience of their home. Dr. Margaret continues mobile services to see both large and small animals in her time away from JHPE.
She and her husband live in Stoughton and have a Shepherd/Husky mutt named Luna. Dr. Margaret also has a Saddlebred gelding named “Mud” (Mississippi Mudcat) and continues to pleasure ride in her free time. They are avid Badger and Packer fans and love to travel.
Dr. Margaret’s professional affiliations include the American Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Admin Staff
Admin Staff
Jess Benson
Jess has always loved to surround herself with animals, and deeply respects the bond between families and their furry companions.
Jess, her husband, and two kids share their home with their border collie Mira and cat Tonic. When Jess isn’t busy driving her kids to all their sports and activities, she enjoys camping, hiking, agility, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
Jess Benson
Jess has always loved to surround herself with animals, and deeply respects the bond between families and their furry companions.
Jess, her husband, and two kids share their home with their border collie Mira and cat Tonic. When Jess isn’t busy driving her kids to all their sports and activities, she enjoys camping, hiking, agility, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
Our Client Care Specialist Team
Our Goals
Increase awareness of home euthanasia as a peaceful alternative to in-clinic euthanasia.
Prevent pet suffering by assisting families in their decision to euthanize before pain and discomfort significantly impact the pet’s quality of life, and before the care of the pet becomes burdensome or impossible for the family to manage.
Support families through the grief process by sponsoring events (Remembering Our Pets in September, and Czar’s Promise In May) that offer a community gathering of people who have loved and lost a pet. These events are ways of honoring our pet’s memories and celebrating the joy they bring to our lives.
