After graduating in 1980 she moved from Philadelphia to Woodstock Connecticut. She commuted to Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts for two and a half years, then worked for a local veterinarian before opening the Eastford Veterinary Clinic in 1986.

Still residing in Woodstock with her husband Bob, Dr. Japp has a small farm and antique home. Her special interests are renovating this home (a never ending labor of love), along with gardening, and caring for the many animals that share their home and barn.

As lovers of the outdoors, downhill skiing tops the list as the favorite family sport.

Since she was a child, Dr. Japp was involved in caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. Now, she
and her staff care for whatever wildlife might need their help. Her husband likes to joke that
sometimes she has more ‘freeloaders’ than 'regular' patients, but that never bothers anyone at the
Eastford Veterinary clinic.

Dr. Japp says, "One of the wonderful things about Veterinary Medicine is the variety of problems
we get to treat. We never know what will come through the door. We see all types of animals
with all types of problems. We get to do a little of everything, internal medicine, surgery, dentistry,
obstetrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, behavior counseling, everything. It certainly keeps life
interesting. After 28 years in practice I still find things I have never seen before.
Veterinary medicine is always full of surprises."