The Early Years
Dogs have been woven into my family's story for generations.
My grandfather raised and bred Doberman Pinschers, while my pappy devoted himself to Lhasa Apsos. My mother was also surrounded by friends who were deeply involved with dogs—breeding, showing, raising, and caring for their lines with pride.
As a child, I didn't realize how much those experiences were shaping me. I simply grew up listening, watching, and learning.
Over time, I came to understand that raising dogs carries a responsibility much greater than producing puppies. It means respecting the animals entrusted to you, understanding the history and purpose of a breed, and continually trying to make thoughtful decisions for the generations that follow.
That perspective has stayed with me throughout my life.
Finding Our Hearts in Goldens
While many breeds have touched my life, it was the Golden Retriever that truly captured my heart.
Our first Goldens came into our lives during a chapter that would forever shape our family. They developed an especially meaningful connection with our oldest son, who had autism.
There was something remarkable about the way they seemed to understand him without needing anything explained. Their gentleness, patience, and quiet companionship showed us just how deeply a Golden Retriever can become connected to the people they love.
In May of 2021, we lost our son at only thirteen years old.
Life after that loss changed in ways that are difficult to put into words, but our dogs remained beside us through it. Their presence became part of navigating grief, remembering, and slowly learning how to carry love alongside loss.
That bond also deepened my appreciation for the temperament of the Golden Retriever.
Their gentle eyes and joyful nature are easy to love, but there is something deeper about this breed—their steadiness, intuition, devotion, and remarkable ability to simply be present with their people.
Goldens have a way of becoming part of the rhythm of a home.
Once you've experienced that, it's difficult to imagine life without them.
And Then Came Ladybug
In June of 2023, Ladybug was born.
Her beginning wasn't an easy one.
During her first weeks of life, her litter faced unexpected challenges, and Ladybug needed around-the-clock care. I tube-fed her until she was strong enough to take a bottle and cared for her through long days and even longer nights.
Little by little, she grew stronger.
And somewhere in all of those quiet hours together, Ladybug became much more than a puppy I was caring for.
She became my shadow.
My companion.
My soul dog.
Ladybug came into my life during a time when grief was still very much a part of our family's story. There was something about her determination, her trust, and the way she stayed so close that made our connection unlike anything I had experienced before.
She had fought so hard to be here, and somehow she brought a little light with her.
On May 13, 2025, we unexpectedly lost Ladybug.
Her life was far shorter than I ever imagined it would be, but the space she filled in mine was immeasurable.
Why Ladybug Goldens
When the time came to give our program a name that better reflected who we had become, I kept coming back to her.
Ladybug Goldens isn't simply a business name.
It's a remembrance.
It's a small way of carrying forward a dog who came into my life when I needed her more than I knew and whose presence changed me forever.
The little ladybug woven throughout our home and our program is a reminder of resilience, love, and the extraordinary impact one dog can have on a life.
Her story is part of ours now.
And it always will be.
What Matters Most
Today, every decision at Ladybug Goldens begins with the dogs themselves.
Our focus is on preserving the qualities that have made the Golden Retriever such a beloved companion for generations: sound structure, good health, a stable and gentle temperament, and that unmistakable Golden spirit that thrives when living closely with people.
Breeding decisions are approached thoughtfully, with consideration given to health testing, genetics, temperament, structure, pedigree, and the individual dog as a whole.
But responsible breeding is about more than what happens before a litter is born.
Our puppies are raised inside our home, surrounded by the natural rhythm of family life. They hear familiar voices and household sounds. They experience visitors, routines, play, rest, handling, and all of the small everyday moments that begin shaping their understanding of the world.
There is no separate kennel life here.
Our dogs live with us because, before they are ever part of a breeding program, they are members of our family.
Continued Learning & Education
Caring for dogs has always been something I take to heart, and over the years that care has grown into an ongoing commitment to learning.
I have continued my education in animal care, canine behavior, training, animal welfare, and veterinary support through coursework and professional educational programs.
My studies have included programs and coursework through organizations and institutions such as The University of Edinburgh, Duke University, Zoetis, and Alison, covering subjects ranging from canine behavior and training to animal health and veterinary care.
I am also continuing my education through Penn Foster's Veterinary Technician program, building upon both formal study and years of hands-on experience caring for dogs.
Education doesn't replace experience, and experience doesn't replace education. I believe the two should continue to strengthen one another.
There will always be more to learn.
Veterinary medicine changes. Our understanding of genetics evolves. Research gives us new information about behavior, nutrition, development, reproduction, and welfare.
Continuing to learn allows me to ask better questions, make more informed decisions, and provide better care for the dogs who depend on me.
For me, education isn't about collecting titles to place beside my name.
It's about becoming a better caretaker of the dogs I love.
More Than a Breeding Program
Ladybug Goldens is intentionally small because I want to know my dogs as individuals.
I know their personalities, their little habits, what makes each one excited, who wants to be closest to you on the couch, who prefers the cool floor, and who somehow knows exactly when someone in the house needs a Golden head resting beside them.
They share our mornings, our evenings, our celebrations, our difficult days, and plenty of completely ordinary ones in between.
That everyday life matters to me.
It means puppies born here begin their lives not in isolation, but in the middle of a home.
And when the time comes for one of those puppies to leave us, our hope isn't simply that we've raised a beautiful Golden Retriever.
We hope we've helped give a family the beginning of a relationship they may someday find as meaningful as the relationships these dogs have given us.
A Story That Continues
There are pieces of our family's story woven throughout Ladybug Goldens.
There are the people who first taught me to love and respect animals.
There are the Goldens who showed us just how extraordinary the connection between a dog and a person can become.
There is our son, whose relationship with our first Goldens helped shape the reason this journey began.
And there is Ladybug—the little dog who fought so hard to live, walked beside me through grief, and ultimately gave this program its name.
Today, our Goldens continue that story simply by being who they are.
They fill our home with muddy paws, wagging tails, quiet companionship, laughter, and the kind of love that asks for very little in return.
And from time to time, puppies are born here who will eventually carry a little piece of that love into homes of their own.
If you've taken the time to learn about our family and the heart behind Ladybug Goldens, thank you.
We're grateful you're here.
Where Golden Hearts Begin.
Education & Certifications
Below are some of the diplomas, certificates, and continuing-education programs I have completed throughout that journey. Select any certificate to view it full size.
