Posts

A Message of Strength for DVM Graduates

By Dr. Kathleen Cooney / June 1, 2024

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…

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Fellow CPEPs. Welcome to the family!

By Rebecca Rose, RVT / May 15, 2024

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,…

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CAETA Euthanasia Case; Bella the painful cat

By Dr. Kathleen Cooney / May 1, 2024

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…

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Receiving Phone Calls About Euthanasia; CSRs – this one’s for you

By Rebecca Rose, RVT / April 15, 2024

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…

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My First Euthanasias Weren’t the Best, and That’s OK

By Dr. Kathleen Cooney / April 1, 2024

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…

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The Benefits of Having a Euthanasia Training Manual

By Rebecca Rose, RVT / March 15, 2024

“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)…

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Assessing Unconsciousness Before Intraorgan Euthanasia Injections in Pets

By Dr. Kathleen Cooney / March 1, 2024

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…

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CAETA Euthanasia Case; Denzel the anxious dog

By Dr. Kathleen Cooney / February 15, 2024

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…

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Delivering an Emotionally Intelligent Euthanasia; Part Two…Gift yourself the valentine of self-regulation and control

By Rebecca Rose, RVT / February 1, 2024

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…

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Elevating Your Skills in Delivering an Emotionally Intelligent Euthanasia; Part One

By Rebecca Rose, RVT / January 15, 2024

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…

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