Posts by CAETA Administrator
Self Care for End-of-Life Professionals
Summer Brooks MS, RVT A few months ago, a member of the Companion Animal Euthanasia Discussion Group on Facebook asked what others do to honor the memory of their patients and how to process a stressful or emotional day. There were many great ideas, both for honoring rituals and for self-care. I covered honoring and…
Read MoreHonoring and Grief Rituals for Veterinary Professionals
Written by Summer Brooks, MS, RVT. This blog article was inspired by a conversation on the Companion Animal Euthanasia Discussion Group Facebook page. A member posted: “I’ve had a few difficult (emotional) cases recently and someone suggested I create a small ritual for myself to complete after a hard or emotional case. I often light…
Read MoreThe Best and Worst Things to Say to People in Grief
Grief is such a hard thing. We live in a death-denying society. We hide away our emotions and are shamed into feeling we should be getting over the loss in some well-defined timeline. But grief in pet loss needs to be witnessed, whether death happened naturally or through euthanasia. Grievers don’t want to feel like…
Read MoreRecognizing Complicated Grief in our Clients
Dave Shuey, MSW, RVT, CHPT. We all tell ourselves that euthanasia has the effect of ending suffering, both for the terminally ill or injured pet, as well as the owner who may have been carrying burdens of care and concern throughout the course of events leading up to euthanasia. How often do we acknowledge the…
Read MoreSpecial Quotes to Carry Us in End-of-life Work
By Lianna Titcombe, International Director for CAETA When I first became a veterinarian some 20 years ago, I suffered from crippling imposter syndrome. What fool had given me this DVM degree? What bigger fool had given me my dream job? I started out as an emergency and critical care veterinarian at one of the largest…
Read More7 Steps to Begin Your Euthanasia-Specialty House Call Veterinary Practice
This is a blog for veterinarians interested in starting house call or mobile practices incorporating in-home euthanasia (IHE), at-home euthanasia (AHE), or end-of-life (EOL) services. This includes 7 steps to help with the basics of licensing, legalities, business, as well as the practical, financial, & emotional aspects of starting or building a house call veterinary practice.
Read MoreA Message to Pet Owners; It’s your decision when to euthanize
Written by Dr. Kari Trotsky with Peaceful Endings for Pets. Being a veterinarian, it may surprise you to know I’ve been on the receiving end of a family member and later, a friend, telling me that it was time to euthanize my own pet. I felt angry and hurt they would imply that I’m holding…
Read MoreCompanion Pot-bellied Pig Euthanasia Requires a Special Touch
Written by Dr. Annie ForslundEdits by Dr. Kathleen Cooney Potbellied pigs are darling creatures loved by families around the world. They have full personalities to match their equally robust shape. Many veterinary professionals have steered clear of euthanasia procedures due to their size and often sensitive temperaments, however with the right combination of gentleness and…
Read MoreWorkplace Pet Loss
Written and shared with permission by River Valley Gateway. With 67% of Americans owning some sort of pet, it’s no wonder that our furry friends play such a vital role in many of our lives. According to the Society of Human Resource Management, however, only 7% of businesses allow pets in the workplace. This discrepancy…
Read MorePreparation for a Peaceful Goodbye
By Dr. Amy Sugar: As veterinary professionals, we are privileged to provide our patients with one final service — ending their suffering through euthanasia. We also have the opportunity to honour the human-animal bond by recognizing the impact of the patient’s relationship with the family. It is a final gift we can give our patients…
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