HANDOUTS

• BURYING A PET: Although we are not permitted to bury animals, except on farms, some pet owner decide to do it anyways. Thus, this document is useful to inform them on how to do it properly.

• IF IT SHOULD BE: We've highlighted this poem as it was wonderfully designed to help clients and the veterinary team deal with any guilt they may be experiencing. It can also be given before euthanasia to help clients with their grief or to help them make the right decision at the right time.

• ADDITIONAL POEMS:

  • I AM STILL WITH YOU

  • MISS ME BUT LET ME GO

QUALITY OF LIFE QUESTIONNAIRE

Quality of Life scales can be found below to help evaluate the level of our companions quality of life:

• HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS TIME

• CANINE

• FELINE

• GREY MUZZLE APP 
   

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR THE VETERINARY TEAM

• Give the intravenous injection in the lateral saphenous vein (dogs), or in the femoral vein (cats). This allows the owner to be up in front with their companion

• Use the XS Euthabag to transport euthanasia materials in a discrete way. Useful both at the clinic or for in-home care.

GRIEF CONSULTANTS

Most of our clients and a lot of veterinary staff are unaware that there are professional Grief Consultants available to help their pet parents afterwards. Some of our clients need this extra external help to manage their grief; they can bring such wonderful help in just 1 or 2 consultations. Clients will appreciate that you have taken the time to care as much for them, as you did for their beloved pets.

Stages of Grief can be complex. This chart may help you as well as your client understand the emotions they are experiencing.

If you would like to find a professional that can help your clients better understand and cope with their grief, we have listed a few resources below for Ontario:

Psychiatrist/medical doctor: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (416) 961-1711, www.cpso.on.ca
Psychologist: Ontario Psychological Association 1-800-268-0069, (416) 961-0069, www.psych.on.ca
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (416) 972-9330, www.ocswssw.org
Counsellors/Psychotherapists: Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists 416-298-7333, www.oaccpp.on.ca
Psychotherapists: Ontario Society of Psychotherapy (416) 923-4050

Compassionate Tools you can incorporate easily into your practice

IF THIS CANDLE IS LIT: This is a document that when placed next to an LED candle, will inform those in the waiting room that a euthanasia is being performed and thus help reduce the amount of noise in the office during this delicate time.

Ink Paw Print or Nose Print

This is a very simple, inexpensive and thoughtful procedure you can do to show your pet families how much you cared for their beloved pet.

SUPPLIES: All you need is an ink pad and a staff member dedicated to doing the procedure. Another preferred technique is to use calligraphy ink and a paint brush.

PROCEDURE: After the animal has been euthanized, the hair and nails are trimmed on one paw and the paw is placed on the ink pad (or painted with calligraphy ink) and pressed onto one or more pieces of card stock (or textured paper). The name of the pet and date can then be added to the piece of paper and now you've created a lasting memory for the pets family. Making multiple copies is also wonderful for those family members who were unable to attend the euthanasia themselves (I.e. college children away at school). You can then send the paw print along with the sympathy card*.

*We have learned that it is important that a sympathy card is sent within 2 days of the euthanasia. The reasons for this are: 

• This helps the pets family realize how much we really do care.

• Healing may have started and receiving a card a week or two later can bring back unwanted memories from the euthanasia

Finding the right words for a sympathy card can be difficult. Here we offer some suggestions to help better express your feelings.

Check out our NEW sympathy cards!