Animals have always been a part of my life. Some of my earliest memories are of playing with piglets and calves on my uncle’s farm and watching deer meander through the fields. This deep connection to animals remained constant throughout my life.
While raising my two amazing children, I also built a career in healthcare—working for many years as a cardiac sonographer before earning my master’s in health information management.

In 2018, my life took a meaningful turn. My son brought home a German Shepherd puppy named Kahlua, whose charm inspired me to start an Instagram account. That same year, I accompanied my daughter to a national conference on domestic violence. This intersection of dogs and domestic violence led me to the CFDDA, where I found purpose. With their support, I began using the personas of Kahlua and Violetta—who joined our family in 2020—to raise awareness about the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty.
After losing Violetta to inflammatory mammary cancer, I donated to our local humane society in her honor—where I met and adopted a stray puppy named Skyy. Welcoming Skyy into my life helped me heal and continue the mission we began.

Today, I use my voice to educate others about the connection between domestic violence and animal cruelty and to support organizations that help survivors, and their pets find safety.