Discussing pet euthanasia with children has always been a challenge for veterinary professionals. It’s a bit unnerving to describe what’s about to take place to a young mind who may not be able to comprehend what’s happening in front of them. Most of the time, we are unclear about how much the parent/guardian has told…

I’m proud to be a nostalgic person who loves creating memories I can reminisce over. Reflecting on the life of my pets is a perfect example. Pets are woven into the fabric of our lives, and sometimes, we need a reminder of how special and valuable their friendship is to us. This is a great…

Long have veterinarians tried to reduce active signs of death during pet euthanasia. A quiet death, with minimal to no movement from the pet’s body, is always preferred. Seeing a pet’s body move in unusual ways during their last breaths can leave owners wondering what their pet is experiencing. Are they in pain? Are they…

The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) invites you to consider the following fictional euthanasia case and reflect on how to proceed. After reviewing the case, read the questions and consider your answers before continuing to CAETA’s suggestions. This case is designed to test your knowledge of companion animal euthanasia and be a conversation starter…

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of partaking in the 8th annual Veterinary Social Work summit hosted by the IAVSW. This was not my first time attending this event, and it won’t be my last. Talk about a wonderful gathering of bright minds and generous souls. I’ve often said that veterinary professionals (DVMs and…

Without question, pet euthanasia is a final and irreversible procedure. The decisions leading up to it are taken seriously by both parties, veterinarian and pet owner. There has to be trust established between them with the best of intentions to end the suffering of a beloved pet. In other words, it’s a big deal first…

 Have you ever noticed how many times a day a veterinary professional says or writes, “Sorry”. When bringing this point to the forefront, many veterinary team members are surprised by the overuse of the word. Perhaps they are feeling legitimate regret or sadness with authentic sentiment, or maybe it’s a default to portray submission in…

Helping pet patients with euthanasia as they reach the natural end of their life remains one of my greatest honors. Those of you out there doing the same know what I’m talking about. This act of beneficence is only paralleled by the ability to cure disease and alleviate pain. Ending suffering through euthanasia is an…

The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) invites you to consider the following fictional euthanasia case and reflect on how to proceed. After reviewing the case, read the questions and consider your answers before continuing on to CAETA’s suggestions. This case is designed to test your knowledge of companion animal euthanasia and be a conversation…

Euthanizing companion animals is a familiar part of our culture, and it occurs at the veterinary hospital, the home, or the animal shelter. Animals deemed too sick or unable to return to society are often euthanized in shelters, and the numbers remain high in many communities, high enough to place a significant burden on the…

Deciding to euthanize a beloved family pet is hard work for most clients. It’s hard for them to know what’s best as their pet ages, succumbs to a disease, or struggles with poor mental health. Veterinary teams working with pet patients as they near the end of life have experience in this area and are…

It’s the season of graduation for thousands of newly-minted veterinarians. This blog is for you graduates as you prepare to care for dying patients. It can feel scary to navigate end-of-life conversations and facilitate a gentle death. Let’s take what you’ve learned in school and reflect on what clients and pet patients need during such…

Congratulations are in order!  You have a new career achievement, becoming a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Professional (CPEP). Offered especially for veterinary technicians, assistants, social workers, and practice managers, it means you have completed the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy’s (CAETA) 10-hour certification program (veterinarians earn the designation of CPEV). Our hats are off to you,…

The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) invites you to consider the following fictional euthanasia case and reflect on how to proceed. After reviewing the case, read the questions and consider your answers before continuing on to CAETA’s suggestions. This case is designed to test your knowledge of companion animal euthanasia and be a conversation…

As a receptionist or customer service representative (CSR), picking up the phone to discover a client is making their pet’s euthanasia appointment can be difficult. For one, you may be caught off guard, and secondly, it’s simply a tough conversation. You may have clients standing next to you in the front office able to hear…

If you’ve spent enough time with me, you’ve likely heard about my first few euthanasia experiences, and how they weren’t my best. Compassionate yes, but technically challenging for me. My stories include such things as hard-to-find veins, not allowing a client to be in the room due to my inadequacies, a vomiting dog, diarrhea on…

“Endings Matter,” explains Dr. Kathleen Cooney. Veterinary patients, clients, and team members deserve to experience and deliver a peaceful euthanasia service each and every time. The veterinary team that takes advantage of a Euthanasia Training Manual (ETM) will reap the benefits in delivering a consistent, gentle euthanasia. ETMs hold the hospital’s standard operating procedures (SOP)…

With the recent trend of intraorgan euthanasia methods on the rise in animals as reported by the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), I want to offer useful pointers on how to ensure unconsciousness and avoid pain. If you are new to the concept of giving pentobarbital (euthanasia solution) in locations other than veins, the…

The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) invites you to consider the following fictional euthanasia case and reflect on how to proceed. After reviewing the case, read the questions and consider your answers before continuing on to CAETA’s suggestions. This case is designed to test your knowledge of companion animal euthanasia and be a conversation…

As veterinary professionals, we are caregivers who shower love and compassion on others. With all you give to your clients, who is caring for you? It is within your control to acknowledge what you contribute in a day, personally and professionally, in making the world a better place. With Valentine’s Day approaching, give yourself some…

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a learned skill. Sure, some folks are born with a higher sense of self-awareness and the ability to perceive their surroundings, and social skills can be learned and enhanced. EI is made up of 5 components: empathy, self-awareness, motivation/passion, social skills, and self-regulation. Now, for us in the veterinary community, linking…

“I’m Dr. Kathleen Cooney and I’m a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian.” This feels great to say and it’s been a long time coming.  Over the years, many of you have asked for a CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy) certification to complement our 10-hour Euthanasia Master Program, soon to be called the Peaceful Euthanasia Certification.…

 “Euthanasia is considered one of the most common procedures in veterinary medicine,” states Dr. Kathy Cooney, founder of the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). You may be surprised to learn that euthanasia falls within the top 5 services a veterinary professional delivers in their practice. Oddly enough, formally trained veterinary professionals receive little education…

For many years, the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), has taught the intracardiac euthanasia technique in one particular manner for companion animals. I’ll call it “the common way,” which is to insert the needle into the heart from the lateral side of the chest wall, aiming perpendicular to reach a ventricle, atrium, or honestly,…

Do you feel there is an increase in pet euthanasia services over the holidays?  If you do, you are not alone. I asked this question of Erin Bedell, one of Lap of Loves’ Operations Directors, and her query was quite interesting. She discovered the trend for veterinarians performing in-home euthanasias over the past three years…

Pain has no place during euthanasia. By popular demand these days, pet patients are being given sedation medications to relax them into deep sleep before the administration of euthanasia solution, to both relieve chronic or acute pain that may have led to the decision to euthanize, and to ensure that death itself is not painful. …

By Rebecca Rose, RVT As we kick off Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week today, we want to reflect on the ways that technicians and everyone on the team can support euthanasia appointments. Getting it right the first and only time is important. Your veterinary team consists of formally trained individuals (veterinarian, credentialed veterinary technician, assistant, social…

I’m buzzing with excitement after this year’s IAAHPC animal hospice conference. There were dynamic topics related to palliative medicine, hospice care, business, and of course, pet euthanasia.  During one of my talks on the latest in euthanasia research, I found myself looking into the crowd wondering how the energized faces looking back at me were…

This week, the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) is adding more Instructors to our team.  Over the past few months, growing our speaker bureau has been a priority, as we prepare for expansion into new markets that need our type of content.  In the spirit of providing a strong start, I want to share…

Written by Rebecca Rose, RVT for CAETA When I asked a friend and colleague how they define “self-compassion,” they replied “being selfish.” I imagine several of you reading this feel the same selfishness because of a conditioning occurring in your past. Perhaps someone once told you to always care for others before yourself. Let’s test…

A quiet death is perceived as a better death.  I’ve never heard it stated otherwise, whether human or animal.  A quiet death denotes acceptance, one without struggle or resistance.  And it’s what every pet owner asks of me during euthanasia services. They’ve either seen firsthand what the body can do as it dies….the agonal breathing,…

Hello friends, As you know, my work is always evolving. The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) has grown steadily over the past 6 years and we’ve been honored to provide training in many veterinary schools, hosted events across North America, Canada, and the UK, and increased our team of Instructors. With all we’ve accomplished, CAETA…

When writing this blog, I tried to think of a way to put a pleasant spin on cleaning. Cleaning as a general rule is like licorice…either you love it or you hate it.  For a traditional animal hospital that sees euthanasia appointments among other appointment types, cleaning and disinfecting is pretty standard. It is typically…

It’s 2023 and talking about death is still hard. Putting the topic of euthanasia front and center to clients, in parallel to other offerings like vaccinations or diagnostics, can feel uncomfortable to veterinary teams. Death can be perceived as a failure and lead vet professionals to avoid discussing it unless absolutely necessary. This is likely…

A recent 2022 study highlighted the euthanasia challenges veterinarians encounter outside of the companion animal space (think zoos, wildlife management, research).  I found it particularly interesting reading about the types of species being helped and what the veterinarians deemed difficult, especially in comparison to the situations private practice veterinarians face. Euthanasia is a common veterinary…

The warmer months bring a lovely opportunity to gather outside for companion animal euthanasia services, and this includes animals that already live outside like companion livestock. Owners appreciate the option to be closely connected to nature as their pet departs this earth.  Grassy yards, sandy beaches, mountain tops…you name it.  They have a real appeal…

I’d like to begin this blog by acknowledging how important the drug pentobarbital sodium is as a euthanasia drug in veterinary medicine, shelter population management, and lab animal research. Here in the United States, there is no question it is the most common euthanasia agent used in private veterinary practice and shelter work, and in…

I recently read an opinion article where the author complained about having to pay for the euthanasia of their dog.  They claimed that since they had spent significant money at their regular vet office, the vet should be willing to perform the procedure at no cost.  This owner wanted a financial “thank you for all…

This week I helped a sweet cat named Charlie with what I refer to as age related changes plus kidney failure.  Age related changes are those often seen in geriatric patients like loss of senses, muscle loss (sarcopenia), slowing down, appetite fluctuations and arthritis.  Kidney failure often hitches a ride on age related changes so…

As a pet patient reaches the natural end of its life, clients face the difficult decision of continuing care or opting for euthanasia.  They seek guidance for what’s best for their pet. In veterinary medicine, there are multiple Quality of Life (QOL) assessment tools that have been created to open dialogue around what the pet…

There are some growing trends that are making the use of intravenous propofol less necessary during animal euthanasia.  In companion animal medicine, it’s very common for veterinary staff to administer propofol (often expired) before the injection of the euthanasia solution pentobarbital, with the goal of inducing anesthesia in patients before they succumb to the effects…

Feeling nostalgic today, I tracked down the original digital copy of my in-home pet euthanasia book from 2011. In particular, chapter 10 on Starting a Euthanasia Service caught my eye.  Perhaps it’s the time of year, but more veterinarians have been reaching out to CAETA asking how to get an in-home pet euthanasia (IHPE) service…

For the past 3 years, I’ve been recording my patients’ euthanasia appointments.  It started out of as necessity to give myself protection should a client every voice concerns about my skills, technique and compassion. I’m a euthanasia expert who has devoted my career to teaching other veterinary professionals how to make euthanasia the best it…

Today is a special day for me.  I’ve been accepted as a resident in the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). Yes!  Since starting this journey back in 2020, my goal has been to learn everything I can about humane animal death from within all animal-related industries, and share back my knowledge of the companion…

CAETA is growing. After 5 years, we have reached an educational tipping point, when bringing on talented people is needed to meet the demand for companion animal euthanasia training events.  What a blessing this is.  It shows how the veterinary industry is embracing euthanasia education, and they want more. Universities, colleges, conferences, hospitals, associations, shelters,…

It’s been 3 years since I euthanized my Daisy, a sweet old Jack Russell Terrier with a love for chasing bunnies and keeping a watchful eye on her family.  As a veterinarian, what I remember of that day was my need to play two different roles. On the one hand, I was loving mother, having…

Written by Dr. Kris August. Shared by the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) as a reminder for our readers about the importance of taking time in pet loss; to embrace what is all around us as we grieve. As the seasons change, the days get shorter, and we move into winter in the Northern…

Earlier this year, a member of the CAETA Euthanasia Facebook Group asked a very important question about behavioral euthanasia.  In particular, they wanted to know what questions should be asked of pet owners when they request a euthanasia based on their pet’s behavior, plus professional support questions like how do you decide if it’s “right”…

I’ve often wondered what pet owners would do if euthanasia wasn’t a choice.  We know that today, veterinary teams have the expertise and drugs to perform highly skilled euthanasia procedures, as well as the authority to do so. If the pet owner requests it, and the veterinary team agrees (or animal shelter), the procedure is…

The average veterinary college offers students less than 4 hours of euthanasia training before graduation.  As 2022, the Virginia-Maryland (VA-MD) College of Vet Med, part of Virginia Polytech University in Blacksburg, VA provides 30+ hours to its veterinary students, something no other school has accomplished thus far.  That’s impressive and deserves some special praise.  This…

“My beloved dog has died.  I wonder if I can do some good and donate his body for teaching.”  This is what many pet owners ponder but aren’t sure how to go about it.  Back in the day when I owned a mobile pet euthanasia service in northern Colorado, I offered a deceased pet educational…

Ask anyone who has experienced a difficult euthanasia (dysthanasia) with a beloved pet and they will tell you they never want to go through that again.  For many, the emotions are as real today as the day it happened, no matter how long ago. A difficult euthanasia can mean the pet experienced more pain and…

In early 2021, the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) brought a short trivia presentation to a few veterinary conferences around the United States. It proved quite popular with veterinary teams and really sparked some interesting conversations around this most sacred procedure.  It takes great skill to effectively deliver a gentle, peaceful companion animal euthanasia.…

Thanks to a recent pet owner survey, we can now say with certainty that a quality companion animal euthanasia is more than just the medical procedure itself.  Owners want (and need) more, and veterinary medicine is poised to deliver.  It just takes know-how and dedication to the modern approach.  For many years now, the Companion…

Recently, it was brought to my attention the number of owner-requested euthanasias in animal shelters may be increasing.  This is when humane euthanasia is provided for pets owned by members of the community. Pet owners may not be able to afford euthanasia services at the local veterinary hospital or cannot be seen by a local…

During a podcast with Clinician’s Brief this week, I was asked if I had the power of time travel, would I go forward 100 years to see what veterinarians were up to, or go back 100 years in the past. My reply was to go back in time so I could help veterinarians understand safer…

In support of part one, highlighting the importance of preplanning and good communication with members of the deaf community, this blog features information on how to choose the right drugs and how to describe death itself. There are simple ways to minimize stress for deaf owners who otherwise may be unclear exactly what their pet…

Recently I was asked to aid in the passing of a sweet old dog owned by members of the deaf community. This family scheduled the appointment through my online web portal, and even though we communicated via email and a translated phone call beforehand, I found myself ill-prepared to fully support them during the death…

I used to own a pet crematory as part of my end-of-life mobile veterinary service. Before this, I worked with local crematories in northern Colorado, all of whom did amazing work caring for my patients after death. Building my own aftercare service opened my eyes to what crematory companies can do for veterinary teams. And there’s a lot. Sometimes…

For many years, veterinarians and pet owners have reached out to me to talk about euthanasia experiences.  They seek to understand if what they witnessed was normal, expected, unexpected or concerning.  Veterinarians tend to look for answers that will shape how they deliver a euthanasia technique the next time. Pet owners want to know if…

I have always approached euthanasia decision-making as finding the path of least regret.  Choosing euthanasia is hard. What REALLY prepares someone to elect euthanasia for a beloved friend?  The physical and emotional condition of the pet, the burden of care for owners and their own emotional health all tend to play a role in when…

Companion animals are likely to leave this world via one of two ways; naturally through the normal progression of physical decline or via euthanasia. Often pet owners make the choice for one over the other and sometimes, as in the case of natural death, the body takes over and does what it needs to do. …

I’ve written before about how confusing controlled substance ordering and handling can be.  It takes a village to sort through all the rules and regs to play the game correctly and keep the overseers satisfied. In the United States (US), veterinarians can be licensed to obtain controlled substances (drugs) through the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). …

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…

If euthanasia becomes necessary to relieve suffering, it should be handled with respect and skill. The speed at which euthanasia solution is administered effects two main things; potential pain and active signs of death. For the most part, veterinarians are taught to inject quickly but it turns out this is only correct part of the…

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.

A pet owner once asked me what’s the most important thing in my euthanasia comfort rooms. Kleenex was my response. The floor could be dirt and the room cold; as long as we keep compassion and the bond front and center, nothing else matters. I believe this for sure however having special touches to keep…

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…

While pentobarbital shortages are lessening in some parts of the world, many are still without and seeking safe and reliable alternatives. Pentobarbital is the #1 go-to drug for animal euthanasia in many countries. It is reliable with consistent dosing, with minimal side effects leading to a peaceful death when performed properly. Proceeding without this familiar…

To go beyond the basics, we’d best start with them so everyone is on the same page.For generations, the go-to plan at most vet hospitals has been the following…~ Pet owner chooses euthanasia~ Hospital asks if they want private or communal cremation~ Pet passes, owner departs~ Hospital places the pet in a cadaver transport bag…

I’ll begin by saying I try to remove myself from politics whenever possible.  There are inner powers at play that go beyond my comprehension, and when you know little of the mechanisms, it’s best to steer clear until you do.  However, there are times to explore something deeper to understand why it exists and what…

Pentobarbital is almost back.  Where has it been you ask?  If you perform many euthanasias in your line of work, you know it’s been scarce for months, in the US and other parts of the world.  Due to complications from COVID at one overseas factory (affecting the US supply), and a reported explosion at another…

I’ll be the first to tell you I like my patients calm and peaceful before euthanasia. Who wouldn’t? Relaxed pets are safer to work with and this leads to a better experience for everyone, especially the pet who may otherwise be experiencing stress. Serenity of mind and body before euthanasia is always welcomed. This is…

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…

In the coming days, a group of authors including myself are about to finally submit an academic paper on intrarenal euthanasia injections in cats. This study, first started in 2011, looks at the reliability of this technique in felines and the methodology to carry it out. What we found when following the American Veterinary Medical…

“If confusion is the first step to knowledge, I must be a genius.” ~ Larry Leisner To say controlled substance management is confusing is an understatement for most of us. Just when we think we’ve got it down, a conversation with a colleague can get us thinking we’ve dropped the ball on best practices. The…

True or false:  A good euthanasia is one that is skillfullly performed and the desired death comes quickly.  The answer is true, but there is often hidden context to questions and answers.  It turns out there is so much more to euthanasia; it’s an experience from beginning to end. A grieving woman who is haunted…

For many of us, holiday celebrations include our pets. In my home, the dogs have stockings, leftovers are shared, and we will snuggle in to watch traditional holiday movie classics. If we are lucky enough for snow to fall fresh and bright, the dogs will partake in sledding and steal our hats in great fun.…

Talk with anyone who performs euthanasia regularly and they’ll tell you the number one comment they hear from clients is “Your job must be really hard” or “I couldn’t do what you do”. Clients are gently sharing empathy with us and acknowledging what may be correct. It’s true euthanasia work has tough days. Watching people…

We all know euthanasia is a necessary part of veterinary medicine.  It is an ever present procedure to be called upon when suffering is assured and when the burden of care outweighs our resources (physical, mental, financial, spiritual).  As Dr. Frank McMillan once spoke about, administering euthanasia solution is the ultimate palliative treatment that eliminates…

By Stephanie DiTraglia, CAETA Administrative Assistant Like many of us who find ourselves within and among the veterinary industry, I’ve always known the animals’ world is where I wanted to be. Also like many, I thrive and find fulfilling satisfaction when I contribute to the ‘greater good’. The desire amongst veterinary care professionals to elevate…

A Newer Meaning to a Relatively New Word I’m guessing that if you’ve been practicing veterinary medicine long enough, you’ve had the misfortune of witnessing a euthanasia gone wrong. You may be the unfortunate one who facilitated it. Such a euthanasia rattles us, hijacks our thoughts, and forces us to relive it over and over.…

Since 2006, I’ve built up a large library of useful phrases and sentiments to share with clients during euthanasia appointments. Knowing the exact time to offer them can be challenging, especially since you won’t know the full context of the situation until you are engaged in it, but take a moment and picture yourself with…

As the days warm, pet owners who’ve lost a pet tend to contemplate the option of home burial.  There is no set figure on how many people choose backyard burial over pet cremation or pet cemetery burial, but the number is likely very high. Handling things themselves increases their ability to design the event to…

The following are suggested tips to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission during home euthanasia work. Note these have not been reviewed by health officials and you are encouraged to adhere to local ordinances as well as your own scientific understanding of disease mitigation. When in doubt, follow your instinct, keeping safety at the forefront…

Emotionally Intelligent Euthanasia A veterinary student recently shadowed me for a week to learn how I cope with the emotional strain of euthanasia-centric work.  Her backstory was filled with highly sensitive post-euthanasia episodes, wherein she needed to cry; intense crying for upwards of 15 minutes.  It was deeply affecting the rest of her day and…

Have you ever gone to an educational conference and learned so much you didn’t know where to start? It’s easy to get overwhelmed with information and then struggle implementing it in your daily work. The ideas you heard were wonderful, useful, and potential game changers for your team and your patients. It’s essential to act…

Written by David Shuey RVT, CHPT Lily was an elderly Arabian mare who lived with chronic laminitis in her later years. In recent weeks, her pain had become unmanageable. Her owner called my attending veterinarian and me out to euthanize her beloved horse whom she had owned, cared for, ridden, and loved for decades. We…

A colleague told me recently how frustrated she was when a client verbally lashed out at her following a dysthanasia (bad death experience). The client was upset with the dog’s negative reaction to the pre-euthanasia sedation injection and the vet’s apparent ‘non chalant’ attitude to the dog’s distress. Wanting to get the bigger picture, I…

The intracardiac injection as a euthanasia technique in animals has been utilized since the early 20th century. The heart is a central vascular pump able to move euthanasia drugs effectively up to the brain, where many anesthetics like the barbiturates impart their actions. While perceived by many as objectionable to watch, the art of administering…