In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Akron, OH

Dr. Brittany Rizzo was born in California but raised in the snowy suburbs of Chicago, where her dream of becoming a zoo veterinarian took root early. She spent countless hours at Brookfield Zoo—first as an eager young visitor, and later as a high school intern shadowing the head veterinarian. That passion carried her through a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota. For more than a decade, Dr. Rizzo has built a remarkable career in zoo medicine, working to conserve wildlife and improve the welfare of animals across species. She and her husband even founded a first-of-its-kind zoo animal transport company, helping move animals between leading zoological institutions across the country. Her experiences caring for aging zoo animals—combined with the peaceful in-home euthanasia of her own two senior cats—deeply shaped her commitment to providing gentle, dignified end-of-life care for pets and their families. Dr. Rizzo now lives in Akron with her husband, daughter, two gerbils (Ghost and Smudge), and two sweet cats (Mai and Mini). In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and playing games with her family. She brings warmth, empathy, and a lifetime of animal-centered dedication to every home she visits.

Dr. Mark Christine is an Ohio State University graduate who earned both his Bachelor of Science in Zoology and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University, completing his DVM in 1982. He went on to complete a small animal internship at Colorado State University before practicing small animal medicine and surgery in Massillon, Ohio for more than 31 years. Throughout his clinical career, he developed strong interests in anesthesia, analgesia, and surgery. In 2014, Dr. Christine transitioned to an industry role with Zoetis, where he has served as a Professional Services Veterinarian providing technical support across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, earning multiple awards and promotions along the way. Over more than four decades, Dr. Christine has shared his life with dozens of beloved animals, deepening his appreciation for the human–animal bond and the responsibility veterinarians hold throughout every stage of a pet’s life. His extensive clinical experience and lifelong connection to animals guide his approach to end-of-life care, where comfort, dignity, and minimizing fear and pain are paramount. He understands how meaningful it is for families to say goodbye in a familiar, peaceful environment surrounded by love. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Christine enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle that includes camping, boating, motorcycles, and snow sports. He and his wife, Marcia, share their home with Penny, a 13-year-old Havanese rescue, and Piper, an energetic young Springer Spaniel who both love outdoor adventures. Their family also includes three American Saddlebred horses—Bruno, Nelson, and Zoe—who are an important part of their lives.

Dr. Toni Longville has lived in the Northeast Akron area for most of her life, except for the time she spent at The Ohio State University, where she attended veterinary school. Most of her career has been spent caring for dogs and cats in small animal clinics. She now lives in Wadsworth with her significant other of 20 years, along with their rescue dog and cat, and currently works part-time as a relief veterinarian, caring for pets throughout the community. She has been fortunate to experience the comfort of having her own pets peacefully euthanized at home, and she understands that not every family has had that opportunity. Providing compassionate, in-home end-of-life care allows her to help pets remain in a familiar, peaceful environment while surrounded by the people who love them most. Toni treats every patient as if they were her own. Her goal is always to keep pets as comfortable and relaxed as possible — for dogs, that often means sitting on the floor with them, offering gentle pets or belly rubs if they enjoy them, while with cats she takes a quieter approach, giving them space and letting them settle in while she performs their exam as calmly and gently as possible. Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy. Her hope is to make that time a little more peaceful by providing compassionate care, supporting families through the process, and helping pets pass with comfort, dignity, and love in the place they know best — home. Gardening, cooking, playing cards, and traveling whenever possible. Toni's own pets are Marlin and Ella, a rescue dog and cat.