Preserving the Bond During Euthanasia
Why I’m a Fan of Euthabag
Not all body bags are created equal, and indeed there are numerous types out there. Those looking for quality prefer bags/containers that are durable, leak proof, and above all respectful to the precious animal within. This respect is what changes your typical cadaver bag into a sacred ‘pet transport device’. Euthabag, a CAETA sponsor partner…
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 MoreOxytocin and Euthanasia; An important combination to get right
Recently I have fallen in love with the love hormone oxytocin. While learning ways to establish rapport and build trust with pet owners, this ‘moral molecule’ as it’s sometimes called was just begging to be explored further. Many of us know oxytocin as the hormone that promotes prosocial behavior such as bonding, wanting to be…
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 MorePet Loss Support Groups and Resources; Caring for pet owners after euthanasia
Grieving pet owners benefit when they have access to pet loss support information. There are a variety of resources on the internet, however many of them are out of date and no longer in service. The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) has created this list of mainly US-based pet loss support groups, with some…
Read MorePet Euthanasia During COVID; a 2021 update
With the COVID pandemic continuing on, CAETA would like to take a moment to address a bit of the new normal around pet euthanasia during this unique time. In a blog post from spring 2020, we reviewed some of the ways veterinary teams (including home euthanasia providers) can adjust and safely continue the work. Provide,…
Read MorePet Loss Bereavement Training for 2021
By Summer Brooks, RVT The dawning of a fresh New Year often motivates us to look around for new ways to be inspired. How can we add more value to the services we provide? How can we offer deeper and more meaningful support to the animals and pet guardians we serve? One way to find…
Read MoreDuring Pet Euthanasia, Sometimes How We Say Hello is as Important as How We Say Goodbye
Pet euthanasia in the modern era is more of an experience than a medical act. For the veterinary team, it’s an artful blend of empathy, time management, medical procedure, and connecting with those present. For our clients heavily bonded with their pet(s), feeling safe and supported is paramount right from the start. This connection or…
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