Thirty-six-year-old New York City veterinarian Erin Kulick has spent the past months performing essential procedures on pets whose owners are now home and paying more attention to their companions. But being part of the essential workforce has also exposed her and her colleagues at Long Island City Veterinary Center to COVID-19. Dr. Kulick contracted the virus, and she says fighting the illness forced her to face her own mortality. And with more time at home to recover, the mother of a 1-year-old son also candidly questions her parenting skills. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, Dr. Kulick shares the emotions of serving an animal-loving community and the sadness of not being able to comfort pet owners with a hug when their beloved companions die. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices