It functions on the principle that death is a part of life and terminal illness and death can be experienced with dignity, as an animal rests at home with its loving family. As such, it is not geared toward curing a pet s disease, but rather toward keeping the disease from causing the pet any discomfort. Hospice care focuses primarily on providing pain control and physical and emotional comfort to the pet. To prevent the anxiety of hospital visits and to allow pets and owners the maximum amount of time together, pet owners provide as much care as possible at home. Owners are trained to attune themselves to their pet s physical and emotional needs, and often find that the increased attention and physical contact allows them to feel close to their pet at the end of its life.
Hospice helps to make a pet s death a kinder, more intimate experience for both pets and owners.
What hospice care requires from pet owners Though it can be extremely rewarding, hospice care requires preparation and work from pet owners. First, owners have to actively search out a veterinarian comfortable with hospice philosophy. According to Dr. Eric Clough, DVM, AAHA member, and along with Janice E. Clough a promoter of Hospice for Pets, many veterinarians have been practicing what is essentially hospice care for years, but are unfamiliar with the term. It may take some time for owners to find a veterinarian who has studied hospice or is willing to learn about the subject. Once they have found such a veterinarian, owners will have to learn how to care for their pet.