Hearts & Halos (formerly known as Choice Veterinary Care) was founded by both Dr. Peter Erling and Dr. Michelle Lorenzen. Having met initially in veterinary school, they adopted numerous geriatric and ailing pets. Early on, they recognized that their own pets were more comfortable and at ease when transitioning at home. After a decade of performing in-home euthanasia, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Peter founded Hearts and Halos in order to provide caring and compassionate end-of-life care to pet owners in Los Angeles.
Peter initially obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Dallas. He later attended Texas A&M University where he obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Peter then completed a one-year rotating medical and surgical internship and then completed his three-year specialty training in Emergency and Critical Care in Colorado. Dr. Peter was a faculty member at Texas A&M in the Anesthesia department where he was in charge of the Junior Anesthesia and Surgical Laboratory, teaching second- and third-year veterinary students anesthesia and fourth-year students in the teaching hospital. He was also a member of the Michael E. Debakey cardio-thoracic bypass team assisting with the anesthesia and recovery portion of open heart surgeries on numerous species.
Despite Dr. Michelle’s retirement and the fact that Dr. Peter no longer sees patients, he continues to carry out Dr. Michelle’s initial vision and passion for mitigating pain and suffering in our beloved pets.
Dr. Peter is responsible for obtaining the first ever permit to perform Aquamation on animals in California. He continues to help grow this eco-friendly aftercare option worldwide while helping to educate the public on this green alternative.