During home euthanasia, a veterinarian helps a pet die peacefully in familiar, comfortable surroundings. Although individual protocols vary, medication is typically given first to relieve anxiety and allow the pet to become deeply relaxed or asleep. The veterinarian then administers the euthanasia medication, confirms the pet has died, and assists the family with aftercare arrangements if desired. Read the rest of this entry »
Pet hospice provides veterinary care focused on comfort and quality of life for animals with life-limiting illnesses. Hospice may include pain and symptom management, mobility and nursing support, home-care guidance, quality-of-life assessment, and preparation for changes ahead. It also helps families make informed decisions about their pet’s care and eventual end of life. Read the rest of this entry »
Cats stop eating for many reasons, including nausea, pain, dental disease, kidney disease, cancer, constipation, medication effects, stress, or progression of serious illness. Because cats can develop additional medical problems when they don’t eat, a significant change in appetite should be discussed promptly with a veterinarian rather than assumed to be a normal part of aging. Read the rest of this entry »
Pain becomes too much when it cannot be adequately controlled or consistently prevents a pet from resting, moving, eating, interacting, or enjoying normal activities. The presence of pain does not necessarily mean a pet has poor quality of life. The important question is whether that pain can be successfully managed while preserving comfort and enjoyment. Read the rest of this entry »
Dogs often show suffering through changes in behavior rather than obvious signs of pain. Difficulty walking or resting comfortably, excessive panting, appetite changes, withdrawal, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and loss of interest in favorite activities can all signal declining quality of life. A veterinarian can help determine which problems are treatable and how well your dog’s comfort can be maintained. Read the rest of this entry »
The day you say goodbye to a beloved pet may be one of the hardest days of your life.
“Whether you’ve had weeks to prepare or the decision came without warning, it’s easy to focus so completely on making your pet’s final hours peaceful that you forget to care for yourself. But you matter on this day, too,” said Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice and Euthanasia. Read the rest of this entry »
The field of integrative veterinary medicine is always exploring new ways to improve comfort and quality of life for aging pets. One area of growing interest is medical ozone therapy. Brazilian veterinarian and researcher Dr. Jean Joachim, DVM, shared his experience as a pioneer of the treatment at the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) Forum.
“Dr. Joachim’s demonstration of his work in this field is both fascinating and promising,” says Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice and member of the IAAHPC. “This gentle approach may one day prove to enhance quality of life and reduce reliance on medication in pets with low tolerance.” Read the rest of this entry »
What: Michelle Van Harn, LVT, and hospice nurse at Heaven at Home, as she shows you the most common ways pet parents manage incontinence in a senior dog.
Why It Matters: Michelle’s tips and techniques emphasize the importance of making sure these garments are secure and leak-resistant, while still being comfortable for the senior dog to wear. It’s a balancing act, and this video will help you spot issues before they arise.
For more videos about senior dog and cat tips, subscribe to Heaven at Home on YouTube or browse our Video Category in our Resource Center!
As pets age, their needs change, but their desire to engage, explore, and connect doesn’t. For senior dogs and cats dealing with stiffness, arthritis, or reduced mobility, movement becomes less about intensity and more about intention. The good news? With a little creativity, summer can be a season of renewed comfort, mobility, and joy.
“Research into canine osteoarthritis points towards combining targeted Monoclonal antibody therapy (such as Librela) with physical activity for a synergetic effect,” said Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice and member of two national initiatives that advocate for hospice and pain management for senior pets.
“This “movement plus medicine” approach helps maintain muscle, support joints, and improves overall quality of life,” she said. Read the rest of this entry »
For the first time in the history of veterinary medicine, hospice and palliative medicine is on the path to becoming a board-certified specialty. Pet parents and veterinary professionals can help make that happen by learning more and engaging with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s feedback process.
To help educate fellow professionals and interested parties, the IAAHPC is hosting a special webinar:
From the Field to the Specialty Board: ACVHPM and the Future of Veterinary Hospice Care
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 1:00 PM Eastern
Free to attend | Open to all
About the Webinar
The American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ACVHPM) is a proposed Recognized Veterinary Specialty Organization currently petitioning the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) for formal recognition. If successful, it would be the first board-certified veterinary specialty dedicated entirely to hospice and palliative medicine.
IAAHPC is proud to formally endorse this effort — and we want our members to be the first to understand what this means for our field, our patients, and our profession.
Join us for a candid conversation covering:
Your Hosts
Why This Matters for Veterinary Professionals
Veterinary professionals are committed to advancing the standard of care for animals at end of life. The practitioners behind ACVHPM are your colleagues, your friends, and in many cases your fellow IAAHPC members. This specialty college was built from the ground up by people who have been doing this work — often without formal recognition — for their entire careers.
Formal specialty recognition would mean that the compassionate, evidence-based, interdisciplinary care you provide every day is acknowledged by the veterinary profession at the highest level. It would create a clear pathway for the next generation of practitioners who want to dedicate their careers to this work. And it would give every pet owner seeking end-of-life care for their animal a way to find a veterinarian with verified, advanced training.
This is the moment our field has been working toward. We hope you will join us.