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Pet Hospice as a Resource for End-of-Life Care
by Chelsea Sonius
Spring 2009
Pet ownership in the United States is becoming increasingly popular everyday,
as more and more people are recognizing and appreciating the very special
bond that humans and animals share.
Along with this, veterinary medicine is improving,
just as human medicine is, and people are becoming increasingly willing
to pay for their pet to have gold-standard care.
The result of this is that pets are living longer lives.
This means that pet owners are able to share more quality years
with their pet.
However, this also means that more and more pet owners will be providing
end of life care for their pet, as well as be forced to make some very
difficult decisions about their pet's lives.
The aim of this paper is to provide some information about resources
available to the owner of the pet that has been diagnosed
with a terminal illness, as well as some general grief support information
for those that are facing pet loss.
What is Pet Hospice Care?
While most people are familiar with human hospice care,
few are aware that pet hospice is available in many places
around the United States.
In fact, it appears to be a growing trend in veterinary medicine,
as owners express a desire to provide a higher level of end- f-life care
to their pets.
Pet hospice is a program designed to offer care and support
to both the terminally ill patient and their owner
in the comfort of their own home.
The needs of the patient and their family members varies greatly
from patient to patient,
but the aim of pet hospice care remains the same:
to ensure that a high level of quality of life is attained
by the patient as they approach the end of their life,
as well as provide education and emotional support to the owner
during this difficult time.
What can I expect if I want Hospice care for my pet?
After you have contacted an organization that offers pet hospice,
you will likely have an initial consult
with a team of pet hospice providers.
This usually means that a group of individuals trained
in providing hospice care will come into your home and discuss
what you and your pet would like to gain from pet hospice services.
Some people simply want to make sure that their pet is not in pain
during the last stage of their life.
Others wish that the hospice care-givers become more involved
with determining how their pet?s illness is progressing
and ensuring that this information is appropriately communicated
to their veterinarian.
Some look toward pet hospice as a way to discuss concerns
regarding euthanasia and the grieving process.
After the initial consult, the care that you and your pet will receive
is highly individualized, depending on the circumstances
surrounding your pets illness.
Some of the most common services that pet hospice care providers offer
include:
- A brief physical exam during each visit
to monitor the health of the pet
- Pain assessment for your pet
- Simple medical services such as bandage changes,
subcutaneous fluids, administering medications,
or providing maintenance on a feeding tube
- Offering emotional support to owners and other people
that are a part of the pets life
- Suggesting ways to communicate the pets illness with children
- Discussing a plan with the owner on how to determine
when they feel the appropriate time for euthanasia is
- Providing information about the resources available
for burial or cremation services
This list is by no means all inclusive.
If there are specific services or support outlets that you are seeking,
it is important that you communicate this
with your pet hospice providers.
What services are NOT offered by pet hospice?
Generally, pet hospice does not provide:
- Medical decisions
- Advanced treatment services
- Euthanasia services.
Pet hospice providers generally do not make decisions
about the medical treatment of your pet.
Instead, they will communicate any concerns
to your veterinary provider, and the veterinarian will make
all medical decisions.
Many advanced treatment services require a veterinary medical staff
to be present, and therefore, pet hospice care givers are often limited
to providing simple treatment services.
Finally, pet hospice providers are meant to be a source
for providing emotional and educational support
through the grieving process, and do not provide euthanasia services.
This should be done by your veterinarian.
However, if you would like to have your pet hospice provider
present at the time of euthanasia, many care givers are comfortable
being there for you and your pet.
Why is there so much emphasis on euthanasia and grief support?
Euthanasia is a very difficult decision to make,
and most of us struggle with determining when it is the right time.
While pet hospice providers will never make this decision for you,
they will offer you advice, support, and tools to help you determine
what the right time is for you and your pet.
For many people, this helps to alleviate some of the guilt and anxiety
that goes along with the decision making process.
By helping the owner feel more at ease with the decision making process,
they are able to focus more on spending quality time with their pet
and determining the quality of life that their pet is experiencing.
Grieving is a natural and necessary process in end of life care,
and often times the aspect of euthanasia causes us to grieve in ways
that we are not familiar with.
Understanding the grieving process and formulating ways
of handling our grief is imperative in the healing process.
Pet hospice providers help those involved in the pet's life
to understand their grief and help them to find peace in their lives
following their loss.
Who benefits from hospice care?
Hospice care is beneficial to all of those involved.
The patient benefits from the care and support that is offered,
as the hospice caregivers seek to provide them
with the highest quality of life possible.
The owner benefits by having an emotional support outlet available.
Hospice providers are trained in grief counseling
and are comfortable discussing many concerns that pet owners face.
Many people may feel isolated during the end of life process;
pet hospice can aid them in finding comfort during difficult decisions,
help them find validation in what they are feeling,
and promote growth during this very difficult time.
Family members and close friends may benefit
from pet hospice care, as well.
Pet hospice providers understand that there are likely
many important people that are involved in the life of your pet.
You are encouraged to include these people in the hospice process.
Finally, the pet hospice provider and your veterinary provider benefit.
Pet hospice providers feel rewarded when they are able to make a difference
in the lives of pets and those that love them,
and veterinarians are able to provide a higher level of end of life care
for the pet by working with pet hospice providers.
Furthermore, pet hospice providers are often students,
and providing end of life care offers an opportunity to grow and learn.
Where can I go for more information or to find a pet hospice provider?
If you are seeking more information about pet hospice services
and end of life care, please visit some of the websites below.
To find a local pet hospice provider in your area,
ask your veterinarian for local resources.
Pet Hospice Information
The Argus Institute --
Colorado State University (also an excellent source for pet loss/grieving information)
www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu
American Veterinary Medical Association
www.abma.org
Pet Hospice Links
www.pethospice.org/LINKS.htm
Pet Loss and Grieving Resources
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - 24 Hours
1-877-GRIEF-10 (1-877-474-3310)
www.aspca.org
University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
1-800-565-15826
www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/index.htm
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
607-253-3935
www.vet.cornell.edu/org/petloss/resources
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
877-394-CARE (toll-free) 217-244-CARE (local)
www.cvm.uiuc.edu/CARE/
Books about Pet Loss for Adults
Church, J.A.
Joy in a Woolly Coat:
Living With, Loving, & Letting Go of Treasured Animal Friends.
H.J. Kramer Inc.,
1987.
Nieberg, H.A., and A. Fisher.
Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children.
Harper & Row,
1982.
Books about Pet Loss for Children
Carrick, C.
The Accident.
Clarion Books,
1981.
Morehead, D.
A special place for Charlie: A Child?s Companion Through Pet Loss.
Partners in Publishing,
1996.
Rogers, F.
When a Pet Dies.
Putnam Publishing Group,
1988.
Bibliography
Bishop Gail A, Long Christie C, Carlsten KS, Kennedy KC, Shaw JS.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education.
The Colorado State University Pet Hospice Program:
End-of-Life Care for Pets and Their Families.
Vol 35, Issue 4, 525-531.
The Argus Institute -- Colorado State University
www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu
Photo taken from
marvistavet.com
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