Dr. Mary Gardner

There is nothing better to Dr. Gardner than a dog with a grey muzzle or skinny old cat! Her professional goals as an author and veterinarian are to increase awareness and medical care for geriatric veterinary patients and to help make the final life stage to be as peaceful as possible, surrounded with dignity and support for all involved.

Dr. Gardner didn't always know this is where her life would lead. She realized she wanted to become a veterinarian only after a decade as a Software Product Manager. After graduating with her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Florida's veterinary school in 2008, she worked for several years in general practice before finding her calling in veterinary hospice. She cofounded the internationally-renowned veterinary hospice and end of life practice Lap of Love.

Through helping thousands of families with hospice and end of life care, she learned that way before their pets reach the end, caregivers really struggle caring for their aging pets. That's how she fell in love with helping the weak and the wobbly and those that care for them.

Dr. Gardner is an award winning professional speaker! She and Lap of Love have been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, The New York Times, the Associated Press, The Doctors and numerous professional veterinary publications. Her writing is focused on providing resources that help support pet owners during this beautiful and challenging season of their pet's life.