She received a bachelor's degree in Agriculture from Illinois State University and then received her master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in Companion Animal Nutrition. Her research has focused on nutrition of dogs, cats, and other non-ruminant animals. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she advises students and teaches undergraduate courses, including Introduction to Companion Animals, Human-Companion Animal Interactions, Companion Animal Nutrition, and Companion Animal Behavior. She also serves as the adviser to the student group, Students for Education of Companion and Exotic Animals. She oversees and develops extension and outreach programming related to companion animal care and management.