Stories
How to talk to children about pet euthanasia without avoidanceChildren often sense that something is wrong before an adult explains it. A pet’s changed appetite, quietness, clinic visits or the sadness of nearby adults…
Helping Clients Find Meaning In Pet Loss RitualsFor many Australian families, the death of a pet is a profound bereavement. Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and horses are woven into daily routines, family…
Creating a grief support library in your veterinary hospitalCompassion does not end when an animal leaves the hospital. Families may still be processing a diagnosis while facing decisions about euthanasia, body care and…
Making ClayPaws keepsakes during in-home euthanasia visitsCompassionate euthanasia at home lets a pet remain in familiar surroundings while a veterinary team provides end-of-life care. For many Australian families,…
Supporting a client who regrets the timing of euthanasiaSupporting a client who regrets the timing of euthanasia means holding two realities at once: the family may believe another choice would have led to a better…
How to Explain Pet Hospice Care to Skeptical OwnersPet hospice care can be difficult to explain when an owner believes that treatment must always mean pursuing a cure. They may hear “hospice” and assume it…
Flowers, Sympathy Cards, And Compassionate Client CareWhen a client loses a beloved dog, cat, or other companion animal, a thoughtful message from the veterinary practice can provide genuine comfort. The etiquette…
Pairing ClayPaws with a lock of fur or whisker keepsakeA ClayPaws® paw print preserves the shape of a pet’s pads in a form families can hold, display or share. Adding a small lock of fur or a naturally shed whisker…
Memorializing pets in the clinic’s annual newsletterAn annual newsletter can do something an appointment reminder cannot: preserve the continuing bond between a veterinary team and the families it serves. Using…
Writing a pet obituary for veterinary websitesAn obituary for a deceased pet is a public record of a relationship, not a replacement for a conversation with the veterinary team. It can preserve the…