My sleepy heads, Isabella and Bailey

Goodbye At Home-Euthanasia Services For Pets

Bailey was diagnosed with Cancer in the beginning of the year. When the diagnosis was made I began to think about the Euthanasia process and my choices. My personal belief is that whenever possible an at home euthanasia is easier on the owner and much easier on pets. I strongly believe that pets are most comfortable at home in their final hours in a familiar enviroment surrounded by their family. I've had several years of experience with in-hospital euthanasia, and the alternative choice to have a pet euthanized at home became even more apparent to me as I agonized over the decision to put Bailey to sleep.

One of my dear friends who is the owner of a Vet practice in NJ offered to come to my home to put Bailey to sleep (Dr. Koprowski offered as well). Unfortunatley, Baileys health declined rapidly. I had to bring him in to the vet hospital to be euthanized. I was so relieved that my friend, Dr. Keisha Tomlinson had a Euthanasia room in her hospital(West Deptford Vet hospital). It definitely gave us some comfort. We didn't have to wait in a waiting room with a bunch of strangers and I could take as long as I wanted because the room is not used as an exam room. There was a couch that I sat on with Bailey and my husband Matt.

I of course emailed the owner of DVM Hospitals (Tribeca ,Battery Park and West Village veterinary Hospitals) and the other veterinaians to let them know about Bailey and  to suggest having a Euthanasia room set aside in one of the hospitals. I think at best if you can't say goodbye to your pet at home at least there is a place/room peaceful enough to say goodbye at the vet hospitals.

Terry the manager at the West Village Vet Hospital replied back to me about Bailey with very kind words. Dr. Lucy O'Byrne who also works at the West Village practice replied as well. She explained to me that although this was a great idea and hoped that the owner would consider it, it is often very hard to set aside any extra room because of the already tight space in the city. I completely understood this, it is unfortunate but a fact, that every part of the vet hospitals should be utilized for different things due to space restriction.

But, both Dr. Obyrne and Dr. Koprowski offered to make themselves available for at home Euthanasia with our (TPS) help. They need our help because transportation can be a bit tricky when your dealing with anything but small pets in the city.

We took it a step further,

I want to give people the choice to say goodbye to their beloved pets at home.  To me, this a way to make a very hard experience just a little easier.

 And here is how our new service will operate:

We can be contacted by any veterinarian or a pet owner in NYC.  

We can work with your veterinarian or provide one for you.

We will discuss your pets condition and individual arrangements(setting appointment, payment and aftercare choices)will be made at that time over the phone.

I or another veterinary technician will arrive at your home 30 min prior to the veterinarian. During this time, we will work together to make your pet as comfortable as possible. You can choose the place at home where your pet is most comfortable. After he or she is settled we can administer a sedative until the Veterinarian arrives. I encourage a sedative so your pet will be relaxed and sedated to the point where they will not feel any anxiety,pain or fear. At this time the Veterinarian will have arrived and we will prepare your pet for euthanasia. We will shave a small amount of hair, wet the skin and the Veterinarian will administer the injection in a vein. The Veterinarian will listen to his or her heart and will tell you when they have passed away. At this time, we will ask if you want time alone with your pet. Once you are ready, we will gently wrap your pet and take him or her with us when we leave. All arrangements for cremation will be made prior to our arrival, so you will not have to worry about anything except making your pet feel loved and secure.

At this time we will provide services to New York City only. Special arrangements may be possible for other areas.

Your decision to have your pet euthanized is a serious and painful one. It may be the most difficult decision you have to make regarding your pet. I will help you through the process, making it as easy as possible for you and your pet. As with any other service Matt and I provide we always want to do whats best for pets. We are always asking ourselves what we would like done for our own pets and base our decisions for the services we offer on that. We will have more information about our at home euthanasia services on our website and please do not hesitate to call me anytime with questions or concerns.