Dr. Dawn Urioste grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but has always felt more like a small-town gal.
She left Philadelphia to join the Army at 17, returned in 2002, moved to a smaller suburb in 2005, and finally settled in Florida in 2022. Her love for animals has been a lifelong passion, and as a teenager, her career aspirations included becoming a veterinarian, a police officer working with dogs or horses, or a marine biologist.
Dr. Urioste earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in combined sciences from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, before attending veterinary school at Colorado State University. Her early career in general practice was fulfilling due to the mix of internal medicine, preventive medicine, and surgery. However, she discovered her true calling in hospice work and euthanasia, where she could help animals who are old, ill, or suffering, as well as support the people who love them.
The veterinary profession has evolved, and more pet owners are now seeking hospice care. Dr. Urioste often spends hours on the phone with clients who have done everything possible for their pets and want to keep them comfortable for as long as they can. She takes great satisfaction in advising these clients and cherishes hearing their stories about their beloved pets. Her interest in hospice and end-of-life care grew through attending lectures at veterinary conferences, and she was able to integrate this knowledge into her practice. This led her to join Lap of Love, where she currently works full-time, while also working part-time at Acupet Veterinary Care to maintain her other veterinary skills.
Over the years, Dr. Urioste has experienced the heartache of losing many pets, including her cherished cat in 2020. This personal experience allows her to empathize deeply with her clients. She is honored to provide compassion and gentleness at the end of a pet's life and values the bonds formed with people during such emotional times.
Outside of work, Dr. Urioste enjoys horseback riding, reading, walking, and spending time with her own pets—currently five cats and two dogs.
Dr. Urioste is dedicated to offering compassionate end-of-life care and is grateful for the trust placed in her to support pets and their families during these difficult moments.
