Originally from Colorado, Lara spent several years in Los Angeles, where she earned her undergraduate degree at UCLA before returning to her home state to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

After completing her education, she and her husband, along with their four Shih Tzus, relocated to Chattanooga. Outside of her veterinary career, Lara is an avid hiker, passionate about exploring the mountains of Colorado and beyond. She also has a love for photography, particularly capturing landscapes and the quirky personalities of her pets. Fun facts: Lara once backpacked through Japan and was a finalist in a citywide chili cook-off in Colorado!