We are honored and excited to announce that we passed our AAHA accreditation evaluation last week, making us an official AAHA accredited end-of-life care practice! We will be sharing more information about our AAHA accreditation in the upcoming weeks, but we wanted to take a moment to celebrate as a team. We are so proud of our amazing team for working diligently to meet AAHA's accreditation standards!

Dr. Kerry Muhovich

Caring Pathways Colorado Veterinarian

Provide Treats 

Treats can facilitate a pet not noticing a sedative injection. They also can help clients have one last opportunity to share a memory with a pet. Whipped cream and soft candies are just two special treats that could be offered.  

Provide a Guide

While the last moments any pet has with their family are special, sedated pets may not always sleep as quietly as they normally do. Breathing patterns can also vary from what owners are used to seeing. Having a vet tech or veterinarian stay with the family in those moments can provide reassurance of changes in sleep patterns as well as a listening ear when owners do want to share.  

Normalize Stepping Away 

How much of the euthanasia process a family wishes to stay with the pet can vary widely. If families choose to leave for any part of the process thank them for their trust in you and let them know their pet is in good hands. If there is uncertainty on how much anyone wants to stay, keep communication open. Wherever possible, allow for moments where family members can step away if needed and return when they are ready. 

Don't forget the tissues

Provide tissues and ensure there are enough for the whole family.  

Reduce stressors by anticipating needs 

Advise clients that having a friend drive them can help reduce stress around the appointment. Consider sending consent and payment info electronically ahead of the appointment so the focus can stay on the pet.  

Handle with care 

If paw prints are a standard item you give to clients consider asking if that is desired even if its given at no cost to the client. Some clients know their pets do not like their feet touched and want that honored even after the pet has passed. Some clients simply don't want a memorial item.  

Provide resources 

As you do with puppy care, chronic diseases, and convalescence provide your clients with resources to navigate the passing of their beloved pet.

If you have any questions on increasing comfort for your clients, patients or staff around end-of-life care, please let us know. We would be happy to set up a lunch and learn to meet with you and your staff.

We had the opportunity to honor more than 100 of our beloved clients in the tribute video above. Our pets truly are members of our family and we are reminded of that from looking at the precious faces represented in this video. Thank you for the mutual love and support you provide to these amazing animals.

2022: A Review of the Year

• We are honored to have walked with 1200+ pet families with our end-of-life pet care services in 2022.
• HRVH is always striving to improve our services. We allow clients an opportunity to give us feedback after every appointment and we are humbled to share that when asked if clients would recommend HRVH, the average response is 9.83 out of 10.
• Offering clients another way to memorialize their pet has brought in dozens of personally written tributes from families that we have helped.
• Dr. Christa Gilfeather joined our veterinary team!
• Dr. Tyler Carmack became a Certified TCVM Palliative and End of Life Practitioner (CTPEP)
• Erin Coonrod, a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Technician joined our veterinary nursing team!
• Dr. Theresa Economos completed the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy Masterclass
• Our Grief Support Specialist conducted over 100 pet loss grief support consultations.
• We donated monthly to two Morris Animal Foundation research studies.
• The first study is being conducted at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine with the goal to reduce pain and slow progression of arthritis in feline patients.
• The second study we chose to sponsor is based out of the University of California Davis College of Veterinary Medicine and is aimed at slowing damaging changes to the heart in dogs diagnosed with subaortic stenosis.

We would love to visit your clinic to bring you new brochures and to explain why we are the best in-home end-of-life care provider for your clients. Please email joshua@caringpathways.com to set up a time for us to visit your clinic.

• Our Our amazing team of veterinarians and support staff serves the entire greater Hampton Roads area.
• Our team working together allows us to provide clients with a quick response time and a flexible appointment schedule.
• Often times we are able to accommodate same day appointment requests.
• Our team is available from 8:00AM to 6:00PM daily to respond to phone calls and online requests.
• Our veterinarians will see appointments from 8:00AM to 6:00PM daily.