Get to know Paws at Rest

Dr. Michelle Easter grew up here in the Maryland suburbs and knew that she wanted to be a veterinarian from a very young age. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from UMBC in 2006 then attended Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech for veterinary school, where she graduated in 2011.

Following graduation, Dr. Easter worked for three years in a fast-paced emergency hospital and then transitioned to general practice to better develop long-lasting relationships with clients and their four-legged family members. She has worked as both an associate and a relief veterinarian in multiple practices across the area. Having personally experienced the deep connection that an owner forms with a pet who shows them endless love and devotion through the ups and downs of life, Dr. Easter has found through the years that one of her favorite aspects of veterinary medicine is working closely with owners to also foster and maintain this strong bond with their own pets. Part of this bond also means being strong enough when the time comes to provide our beloved pets with a peaceful and dignified passing. Dr. Easter believes that helping a pet pass in the calm, comforting, and familiar environment of their own home is one of the best final gifts that we can bestow upon them, so she founded Paws at Rest with this goal in mind in 2021.

When not at work, Dr. Easter enjoys spending time with family. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children who are active in competitive dance and sports. She enjoys anything related to the water – swimming, relaxing on the beach, spending time in the tranquility of a lake setting, boating, and being outdoors in general. The family also has a very active Golden Retriever named Charlotte, a chinchilla, hamster, and several fish.

Dr. Easter is a member of the IAAHPC (International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care) and the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).