Veterinary Team
Meet Our Veterinarians & Support Staff
Get to know the amazing team at Pets At Rest Hospice & Home Euthanasia and why we love what we do so much.
Veterinary Team
Meet our Pets at Rest Veterinarians
Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff
From the age of 7, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. Growing up on a farm, our family had many dogs and cats – but as with most animal lovers, there is frequently one that touches your heart more than the rest. For me, that one was Whitey, my Great Pyrenees. She was by my side every day as I did chores at the barn, as I played outside, and even as I waited at the bus stop. She was a gentle soul, and always seemed to sense my mood. When I was happy she wanted to play, when I was sad she would sit with her head in my lap giving me comfort and companionship – but when I moved away to college, Whitey got sick. My parents called to tell me that Whitey may not be able to hang on until I returned home. I went home that weekend to see her one last time, and I felt blessed that during Whitey’s last minutes, we were both at home and she was able to lay her head in my lap and pass away in peace.
Many years later, after I had graduated veterinary school, Mom and Dad had a dog named Abe who needed my help. He was a very sweet old boy, but he was dealing with cancer, and his body had grown painful. He hated riding in the car, and Mom and Dad didn’t want to put him in the car on his final day. They asked me to come to them, and I was honored to set Abe free from their front yard at sunset, with family surrounding him. I realized then how important it was for a pet’s final moments to be in a comfortable place, with loved ones nearby.
During my career as a veterinarian, I have worked in mixed animal hospitals, in an emergency clinic, and in small animal hospitals. The experiences have been very different, however, my favorite aspect of the job remains the same; I love interacting with clients and witnessing the bond that they have with their pets. A pet loves unconditionally and brings joy to the family. I believe it is the same kind of unconditional love that allows us, as veterinarians and pet owners, to make the difficult decision of when to say goodbye to our beloved companions.
We are never truly ready to let go, and euthanasia is never an easy decision – however, a familiar, comfortable environment can make the process less stressful and more peaceful for everyone. My hope is that I can provide a listening ear, professional advice, and a compassionate experience for you and your pet when the time comes to set them free.
Dr. Chris Scudder
Since I was a child, I remember my mom telling stories of my grandfather’s veterinary practice and his compassion for animals in need. My parents soon recognized that same compassion in me and encouraged me to pursue my dream of following in his footsteps. Growing up around a small farm in northeast Missouri, I was able to experience firsthand the joy of sharing life with a variety of animals. My first love was a Quarter horse named Babe, who was my partner in crime, shoulder to cry on, and a little horse-crazy girl’s dream come true. She always greeted me with a nicker, especially if I came bearing treats. From her, I learned patience, perseverance, and above all, the power of the human-animal bond.
The discovery of the impact of the human-animal bond made me determined to acquire the necessary skills to help others nurture and sustain that bond with their own pets. This determination to become a skilled and caring veterinarian led me to graduate in the top of my class from Southeast Missouri State University in 2012 and University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016.
Just weeks before graduation as a veterinarian, I suffered from sudden heart failure secondary to a previously undiagnosed adrenal tumor. An amazing team of doctors and a major surgery allowed me to walk across the stage and fulfill my dream, but the weeks of recovery to follow gave me time to reflect on my experiences and also a newfound empathy for pets suffering from similarly severe and sometimes chronic conditions.
Several months after graduation, I entered general practice in the St. Louis area with the goal of helping pets to live full and happy lives with the owners that love them. It was here that I first discovered my interest in end-of-life care. Watching families say goodbye to their scared and confused companions in an unfamiliar environment broke my heart, and I tried my utmost to improve the experience for those families when I could. When first I began working with Dr. Dawnetta in the summer of 2019, I knew immediately she had perfected the best ways to help families make their pets’ last moments as comfortable and loving as possible, and it is my honor to do this blessed work with her in this very special space she has created.
Our bonds with our pets have a profound impact on our lives, and I strive every day to preserve that bond, especially throughout the difficult decision of saying goodbye.
Veterinary Technicians
Meet our Pets At Rest Veterinary Technicians
Suzie
I am a St. Louis native. Since before I can remember, I have loved pets and have always had cats and/or dogs in my life. Currently, I live with my husband, our daughter and our 5 pets. I enjoy reading, spending time with family, cheering on the Cardinals & Blues, and traveling.
I graduated from Jefferson College and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2008. I started working at a local emergency clinic and have worked in primary care and specialty practice since then. I have loved the time I have had to bond with pets and their families over the years. One thing I have seen consistently throughout my years as a technician was people having to say goodbye in emergent need and sometimes having traumatic experiences. We hear a lot in end of life care that people don’t know how we can do this every day. Well, those emergency experiences are my “how.” Now I am blessed to be able to help families say goodbye before the crisis happens. Families can be in an environment that feels more like visiting a friend’s house than going to a clinic, offering a more comfortable setting to say goodbye to a loved one.
I hope that we can be a resource you can lean on through this time and give you some peace about these difficult decisions you face.
Becky
I’ve lived in Missouri since 2005 – currently, I live with two cats and a teenager. I’ve fostered a variety of animals, all easier than a teenager!
It’s my honor to be able to help people and their beloved animals, with kindness, knowledge, and care.