Dr. Ruth's family origins are Southern Maryland and Missouri. She started her prior career in the U.S. Army and transitioned out of Active Duty to pursue her interest in Medicine. It was at this time she shifted her focus from the traditional human medicine track to Veterinary Medicine and earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri. She worked in a mixed-animal practice in Missouri prior to relocating to the Inland Northwest in Spring 2012. She continued in our local veterinary community in a mixed-practice (small, exotic, and occasional large animal) for 10 years prior to stepping into the role of Medical Director at NSVC in Spring of 2022. She values improving the human-animal bond and strives to create a supportive, informative veterinary visit by focusing on providing the care she would want to receive as a client. Dr. Ruth and her family share their home with 2 cats, Falcons, and a few rambunctious English Setters. When not at the clinic, you will find Dr. Ruth recharging in Nature (gardening, hiking, foraging, floating on her paddleboard or skiing).