Senior Pet Care & End-of-Life Planning in Carlisle, PA
The best thing we can do for families is to keep their senior pets’ pain managed so that they are comfortable during their golden years. We know you don’t want your friend to suffer and, when it is time, we will help you let them go peacefully with dignity. You won’t have to make the decision alone, we are here to help you decide what is best for your pet and family throughout the journey.
At Healing Paws Veterinary Care, making your pet’s senior years more comfortable is our passion. Cats and dogs will rarely ask for help if they’re feeling uncomfortable, and signs of illness might sneak up and occur seemingly overnight. To detect early signs of underlying illnesses and diseases, we recommend regular examinations (ideally, every 6 months) and testing with your vet to make sure your pet continues to stay as healthy and pain-free as possible. We also want to make sure you have the information you need to be sure your beloved senior is living their best life.
Pain management is often a staple of senior pet care, as cats and dogs can be prone to arthritis and other forms of chronic pain in their later years. Healing Paws Veterinary Care has many options to relieve pet pain, from oral medications and supplements to soothing laser therapy. Easing your pet’s pain helps them stay mobile and experience a better quality of life.
Our team is here to support you when it comes time to make difficult, but necessary, decisions about your pet’s end-of-life care. Any questions or concerns you have; we will be glad to answer and give you all the information you need to help you make the best decision for your companion.
Even if your pet’s time is limited, they deserve to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible. We can provide medication, supplements, and/or alternative care to help your pet enjoy their remaining time with you. When you are questioning if it is time, your vet will engage you in quality-of-life conversations to help you know if your friend is asking for the final gift of peace or if they simply need an adjustment to their care.
End-of-Life Pet Resources:
Saying goodbye to your beloved friend will be one of the hardest things you have to do – but you don’t have to do it alone. We are here for you. The team at Healing Paws is honored to be a part of the bond you share with your friend, and we will share your burden and celebrate your memories. We are here to provide your family and beloved pet with love and support during their palliative/hospice care days and offer a peaceful transition from this life when the time comes.
Click here to learn more about what to expect from the euthanasia experience.
Grief over the loss of your four-legged family member has no time limit or instruction manual. It is normal to feel deep sadness one day and warm fondness the next as you come to terms with the loss of your pet. We aim to continue supporting you and your family in the days that follow, so you can always reach out to us if you need help.
You can also take advantage of the pet loss resources listed below.
- Memorializing Your Pet Jewelry and Art
- Pet Loss Help
- Online Support for Adults and Children
- Pet Loss Chat Room
- Pet Loss Support Hotlines
Books to Help You & Your Family
There are also some books for children and adults you can use to help yourself and your family:
For Children:
- Dog Heaven: Cynthia Rylant (they also have Cat Heaven)
- I’ll Always Love You: Hans Wilheim
- Paw Prints in the Stars: A Farewell and Journal for a
- Beloved Pet: Warren Hanson
For Adults:
- Saying Goodbye To The Pet You Love: Lorri Greene, PhD and Jacquelyn Landis, New Harbinger Publications, 2002
- Coping with the Loss of a Pet: Christina M. Lemieux, Wallace R. Clark, 1992
Cremation Services With Euthanasia
After they’ve passed, your pet deserves to continue to be treated with love and dignity as they will always be a part of your family. After euthanasia, your pet will be transported to the trusted Allied Crematorium where they will be treated with as much love as they were at Healing Paws. They will then return to us and we will return them to you. We welcome you to memorialize your pet in our memorial rock garden as these stones remind us of the joy your pet brought us too.
Pets Who Pass Away At Home After Hours
If your pet passes away after our regular business hours, you can contact Allied Crematorium and they will welcome you and your pet. Please visit the Allied Crematorium website for more information.
Saying goodbye to your beloved friend will be one of the hardest things you have to do – you do not have to do it alone. We are here for you. The team at Healing Paws is honored to be a part of the bond you share with your friend and we will share your burden and celebrate your memories. We are here to provide your family and beloved pet with love and support during their palliative/hospice care days and then to offer a peaceful transition from this life when the time comes.
Our doctors offer multiple modes of easing pain and adapting environments and care to keep your friend comfortable and by your side in their last months and then we will be by your side as together we decide if kind, painless euthanasia is the gift that your pet needs. Euthanasia is a selfless act of love that you give your pet – the peace of seeing them quietly slip away in your arms is a final gesture of compassion. Your pain will deepen as you say goodbye to your friend, but their pain will be no more. Comfort, peace, and dignity is a gift we can give our pets after the lifetime of unconditional love they have given us.
At Healing Paws, nothing is more important than providing dignity and peace in the final moments and you can count on us to take care of you and your friend so that all you need to focus on is loving them as you say goodbye. Rest assured your friend will not be taken from you – you will be by their side the whole time unless you have requested one of our team members to hold their paw instead in their final moments. Our team takes every precaution to be sure your friend is not frightened or in pain for their last visit with us. Your doctor will walk you through the process of giving your friend pain and anxiety medications to relax them first before receiving the medication that allows them to slip away. You will be able to have time holding your friend on our couch in the living room or in the sweet grass of our garden as you tell them how much you love them and hold them close in their final moments. When your friend has crossed the rainbow bridge they will not be taken from you until you are ready – this is your time to share with them and grief should not be rushed. Afterwards, for those not choosing home burial, we offer cremation services that are performed with the utmost respect. Often, the pain of losing your friend lingers longer than you thought it might or creeps up on you unexpectedly. This is normal, you have lost a constant friend and companion and it is okay to feel overwhelmed with their loss. We still are here to provide you with support after your pet’s final visit – please reach out to us or use the resources below to help you, your family, and your other pets deal with the grief and change that follows such a loss.
We are here to help you and your pet navigate their golden years comfortably and their end of life peacefully. Contact us with questions or request your appointment below.