David Nelson has been a licensed funeral director in Virginia for more than 35 years. A pet owner since childhood, David understands how the loss of a pet impacts a family. He received his first pet, a Collie/Shepherd mix puppy, when he was six years old. Despite bringing home a baby skunk thinking it was a kitten the following year, David’s love of animals has never faltered. He and his wife, Michele, are proud parents of a Golden Retriever, a rescued Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix and a calico cat.A graduate of John Tyler Community College’s Funeral Services Program with an associate degree in mortuary science, David has been a licensed funeral director since 1979 and a licensed insurance agent, Virginia for Life, Health and Annuities, since 1999. He also has completed specialized training and annual continuing education courses in advanced funeral planning, grief and bereavement, after care, pet loss, cremation, ethics and OSHA.