Lauren was born and raised in a small beach town on the Jersey Shore. She attended the University of Connecticut were she graduated a year in advance with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. She moved to Texas where she continues her educational studies and aspires to become a veterinarian.

Lauren volunteered as an intern at various wildlife reserves near Johannesburg, South Africa, where she helped raise orphaned lion and hyena cubs. She also provided hands-on care to adult cheetahs, giraffes, elephants and zebras. During her most recent trip, Lauren assisted veterinarians in the capture and relocation of an endangered female rhinoceros.

Although she has a strong passion for exotic animals, Lauren focuses her veterinary studies in small animal medicine. She shares her home with her rescue dog Nala, a young German Shepherd/Staffordshire Terrier mix. When she is not helping with appointments and caring for patients at BPAH, Lauren can be found taking Nala to agility classes or the local dog park!