Meet Our

Veterinary Team

Dr. Veena Alexis

Dr. Veena Alexis, DVM

Dr. Veena Alexis earned her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Colorado State University in 1996. She continued on to earn her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine at CSU in 2001. She has practiced in the Phoenix area since 2002.

Through the years, Dr. Veena like many veterinarians, has had numerous requests from families for in home euthanasia. Oftentimes, there would be a scheduling conflict leaving her unable to leave the clinic due to the appointment schedule. In those instances where she was able to visit the home, she witnessed the amazing difference between putting pets to sleep at home as opposed to putting them to sleep in the clinic setting. There is a certain calm that surrounds the families and the pets, knowing that they are not frightened or anxious because they are at home. Although it is a difficult calling, it is also a privilege to be able to end the pain and suffering that pets endure at the end of life.

Dr. Rachel Bart, DVM

Dr. Rachel Bart, DVM

Certified in Pet Loss and Pet Grief Support

Dr. Rachel Bart was born in Nottingham, United Kingdom, and grew up in Toronto, Canada. She moved to Arizona in 2002. After completing a BSc. in Chemistry, Dr. Bart went on to complete her Veterinary degree in 1998 and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College with honors. She spent the first ten years of her career in emergency and critical care and then moved on to general practice. After 22 years in a clinical setting, Dr. Bart realized that her purpose and passion is to help pet parents when faced with heartbreaking end-of-life decisions. From her days in emergency medicine and general clinical work, she has helped countless owners with this life-changing moment. Support, understanding, and empathy are never more needed than at this trying time. She became certified in pet loss and grief support and is now dedicating her career to supporting families in need of guidance and in-home euthanasia. Dr. Bart feels this is truly the most important work she can do; it is such a valued and needed service. To be able to help pets pass gently in the comfort of their home, surrounded by the family they love is an honor.

Dr. Nichola Ray

Dr. Nichola Ray, DVM

Dr. Ray was raised in Chandler, Arizona and is part of a large family. There were always cats and dogs in her life, as well as chickens and ducks.  She has an uncle in Texas that was a veterinarian and helped initiate her interest in veterinary medicine.  She married another Arizona native and has three human boys and two girl dogs –  a three-legged Chihuahua mix that she adopted, and a fat Pomeranian that eats everything she can.

Dr. Ray was a Certified Veterinary Technician prior to continuing her education and career as a veterinarian. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University and was accepted to Colorado State University, where she graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. It was always a goal of hers to be a veterinarian and serve. She strives to treat patients and clients with compassion and to understand each patient’s individual needs.  This unique niche of patient care is an opportunity to help families celebrate the life of their devoted family member in the absolute best way possible.

dr. heidi ellermeier

Dr. Heidi Ellermeier, DVM

Dr. Heidi Ellermeier was born and raised in central Illinois. She attended the University of Illinois and earned her Bachelor’s of Science in 2009. She stayed at the University of Illinois to earn her degree in Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Dr. Ellermeier practiced emergency and urgent care medicine before moving to the Phoenix area in 2019.

In her spare time, Dr. Ellermeier works with her Chinese Cresteds and Standard Poodle in rally, obedience, and agility. Through her work and training, it has become her passion to strengthen and celebrate the human-animal bond. This has evolved into a desire to honor this bond through end-of-life care. She feels that it is truly an honor to share in the life of a beloved 4-legged family member and strives to bring this commitment to every family she meets.

dr. heidi ellermeier

Dr. Julie Harbo, DVM

Dr. Julie Harbo graduated from Washington State University in 1995. She worked in mobile equine practice for over 10 years. She settled in Arizona in 2004 and worked in mixed animal practice until 2007. She has been working in a small animal practice exclusively since 2007.

Dr. Harbo has always enjoyed working with animals and loves to see the glowing spark in the eyes of a happy, healthy content animal. She respects and loves animals for the proud dignity and love that they have to offer their human parents. She understands the importance of treating them with the respect they deserve. She appreciates the value of giving them the freedom they deserve when their spirit has left them, their eyes start to lose their bright shine and their body starts to fail.

Dr. Harbo is committed to making their time of passing as peaceful and stress-free for them and their humans as possible. She believes that helping them pass at home is one of the kindest acts that we can do as veterinarians. Although it is heartbreaking, it is the bravest and most generous, and most honorable thing we can give our dearest family members.

Dr. Santana Overton

Dr. Santana Overton, DVM

Dr. Santana Overton was born in New Mexico and moved to Arizona as a young girl. She attended the University of Arizona where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Veterinary Science, Microbiology and Chemistry. After graduating from Veterinary School in Missouri, she came back to her home in the Southwest to start practicing medicine. She spent two years in mixed animal practice in Tucson followed by seven years as a shelter veterinarian for the Humane Society. In 2021, she moved to Phoenix and returned to private practice.

She quickly realized that her primary passions included helping those in need in her community and putting compassionate care first. Joining the Angel Vet team has allowed her to apply these principles on a daily basis. She considers it a privilege to help provide a peaceful passing for pets and thier families.

dr. heidi ellermeier

Dr. Michelle, DVM

Dr. Michelle is a proud Arizona native. She was always drawn to animals and was planning her career in veterinary medicine by the time she was in junior high school. She loves nature and especially hiking and exploring with her fur babies and family. Dr. Michelle feels strongly that compassion and kindness rise above all else. She is involved in human rights activism and protecting the voiceless and vulnerable. She is honored to work in a field where she can witness the amazing beauty of the human-animal bond every day. Dr. Michelle understands what it is like to lose a beloved pet and feels a special calling to support and comfort families though this most difficult time.

Reasons for At Home Pet Euthanasia

By choosing in home euthanasia, you allow yourself and your pet solace and solitude in your last moments together. Home euthanasia eliminates fear for your pet, provides a gentle ambiance for you and your family, and allows your other pets to also say goodbye.
Avoid a stressful and painful car ride
You won’t have to load your pet into the car for a car trip that would be stressful and painful. At end of life, even pets who once enjoyed a car ride may no longer feel comfortable in the car. Cats generally always fear getting in the car, and at the end of life this fear can be amplified.
No entering the vet hospital and saying goodbye in a clinical environment
You won’t have to interact with other people and other pets at the vet hospital, which would further add to your pet’s stress and discomfort, not to mention having to explain to others that you’re there to say goodbye. You won’t have to spend your final moments with your pet in a hospital exam room
Your pet will feel safe
Not only is your pet at home, but they can be on their bed or blanket or in your arms. They are surrounded by everyone they love and by the comfort of their own home
The service can be provided indoors or outdoors
Some families choose to have their pet outdoors if there’s a place in the yard where they love to lay. All family members including other pets can be present.
You and your pet will have peace and tranquility
Because you are home, you can create an environment that is calming. Some families choose to have the television on because this was always something their pet found comforting. Some families play music, read a poem, or say a prayer for their pet before the final medicine is given
Your other pets can be present
By allowing your other pets to be close to you throughout the service you can comfort each other. Their instinct is to love and nurture us, especially when our heart is breaking. They will not be frightened and will understand what is taking place.
A gentle, loving and dignified transition
In home euthanasia is the most gentle, loving, and dignified way to send your pet along on their journey. In an ideal world, we all would just want our pets to pass peacefully in their sleep. However, this is rarely the case and we, as their guardians, must make the decision to euthanize to avoid ongoing pain and suffering. By choosing in home euthanasia, we are creating a transition for them that is gentle, loving and dignified.