A North Carolina native, Dr. Laurin Cooke earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1992, double majoring in Psychology and Biological Anthropology and earning a Certificate in Primatology. After a fascinating adventure teaching kids about animals in zoological parks, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. She graduated from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. She currently practices small animal medicine full time in Asheville, NC. She has a particular interest in veterinary hospice and palliative care and geriatric medicine. Also, she recently completed her master’s in clinical mental health counseling (for people!) with a focus on supporting mental health in the veterinary and animal welfare professions.