Blessing of the Animals (ISBN 1402729677)
Copyright 2007 by Diana L. Guerrero. All rights reserved. Reprint permissions click here.
"Compassionate Critter Care
Life spans of pets have increased in response to veterinary care services. Age-related pet challenges and illnesses can now be treated with interventions including hip replacements, chemotherapy, transplants, and neurosurgery. New advances in veterinary medicine began in the mid 1980s and continue unabated. One of the newest services in the field of pet medicine is pet hospice.
Following the model of compassionate palliative care for humans, pet hospice care focuses on giving pets a safe, intimate end-of-life experience at home. It also teaches the family how to cope with the loss of a pet.
According to Dr. Cheryl Scott, a veterinarian hospice provider in California since 1998, many animals in hospice care die peacefully during sleep. Dr. Scott sees hospice as promoting quality of existence at life's end. She advises euthanasia when appropriate.
Hospice care emphasizes quality of life, and patients receive symptom relief, physical affection, favorite food treats, and additional family time. The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians, formed in 1993, promotes veterinary hospice in anticipation of specialty board certification some day. Veterinary hospice care guidelines received approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2001, so certification may eventually become a reality.
Coming to terms with the inevitable loss of a pet can be difficult. In most cases, pet owners need to make decisions regarding a pet's quality of life and whether euthanasia is a responsible choice. These decisions are usually made with professional guidance from a veterinarian.
According to Kathryn D Marocchino, founder of The Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets, "It is vital to help clients say good-bye to pets in their own way, to embrace their right to make personal and private choices for the pet’s final days, and to offer veterinary care to maximize the quality of life for those terminally ill or dying pets..."
Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets
American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians
Animal Lover's Gift
Blessing of the Animals is a mix of historical fact, fun, quirky descriptions, heartfelt sentiments, and novel ceremonies involving pets and other animals. You can order the book now from our secure shopping cart or use the links (coming soon) to order from your favorite online source.
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