The Final Chapter

By Dr. Sarah J. Cutler

Artwork by Justin Negard

One of the responsibilities we humans have as caretakers of pets is caring for our pets in their last chapter. Often, our pets’ lives are shorter than ours, and we humans must make decisions about the best way to care for our aging pets, including deciding when it’s time to say goodbye and arrange for euthanasia.   

Illness and end of life can be extremely difficult for us to face, whether it’s for our human or animal family members. Seeking help from professionals, family, friends and the community around you can make a world of difference. Fortunately, in our area, there are many layers of support for people and their pets during and around this final chapter.

Begin by speaking with your vet

First and foremost, having a good and trusting relationship with your primary care veterinarian is an invaluable asset. That person and/or their team members have likely counseled many humans on this very same topic and often have their own personal experiences with sick pets and their loss. They will respect that, as the person closest to your pet, you and your family’s observations are essential.   

If a pet of any age isn’t feeling well, your veterinarian should perform a thorough history and physical exam. In some cases, they may recommend fecal, urine and blood tests, and possibly imaging (such as radiographs and sonograms).

Thankfully, there are many options to help pets who are struggling with a disease. In some cases, treatments can cure diseases, and in others, palliative care can comfort and ease their pain. Your vet can help you answer questions about the comfort and quality of life your pet is experiencing and when it is time to make an end-of-life decision.

Local services and resources

There are many veterinarians who have special niche abilities and practices that can help make our pets more comfortable at various life stages. A few examples are cardiologists, internal medicine specialists, oncologists, surgeons and neurologists.

Additionally, there are veterinary facilities that offer extensive physical therapy programs, including underwater treadmills, acupuncture and even laser therapy. And some veterinary care clinics and hospitals provide other supportive resources for pet animals and their humans.

Dr. Emily Harrison, owner of Good Dog Veterinary Rehab in Katonah, performs rehabilitation therapy for dogs (of any age) who are struggling with musculoskeletal and neurological issues. Her practice encompasses Western and Eastern medicine, including acupuncture, herbal remedies, cold laser therapy, exercise, shockwave, and physical therapy.

“As our furry family members age, their need for care often increases exponentially,” Harrison explains. “This can often be physically, emotionally and financially taxing for pet owners. You can prepare optimally for your pet’s final chapter by working closely with your veterinarian to ensure your pet has adequate pain control for whatever his or her ailment is.”

“Your vet can also help you understand your options when it comes to pursuing various treatments,” she continues. “Finding the balance between comfort and longevity is crucial when making decisions for your four-legged companion.”

Dr. Lisa Walling of Comforting Care is a house call veterinarian specializing in end-of-life care in NY and CT who offers palliative care, acupuncture and euthanasia for pet cats and dogs. She says her work with pets “focuses on providing pain control and physical comfort to the pet as well as educational support and emotional comfort for caregivers.”

“In veterinary hospice care, our focus includes not only the pet, but the pet’s family as well,” she says. “Our goal is to help families keep pets comfortable while the family prepares for the pending goodbye to their companion and plans for a peaceful death.”

Online Resources

If you are struggling with a sick, debilitated or deceased pet, mental health professionals can help. The ASPCA’s End of Life Care article and the Four Paws’ Preparing to Say Goodbye to Your Pet article provide helpful information on what to know and how to help your pet in their final days.

Additionally, a number of veterinary schools provide pet loss hotlines, frequently manned by students:

Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Pet Loss Helpline

Leave a voicemail at (630) 325-1600 and they will call you back to provide support.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Monday-Friday 6-9 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 12-3 p.m.

(607) 218-7457

Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline

Monday-Thursday 6-9 p.m.

24-hour voicemail

(508) 839-7966

Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association C.A.R.E. Pet Loss

Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday

7-9 p.m. (central time)

(877) 394-2273

Need a support group?

Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Days and hours vary

(517) 432-2696

Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Wings Group

Zoom meetings on the first Wednesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m.

Reiki is another form of healing support for pets and humans struggling with illness, stress or grief. Katonah resident Catherine Downs of Reiki 4 All had a pet sitting business named Pets 4 All that closed during the pandemic. She now offers Reiki treatments for humans and pets at your home, indoors, outdoors or virtually.

“Reiki is a wonderful complement to your animal’s health and wellness program since it works safely with all forms of healing,” Downs explains. “Animal Reiki unifies the practices of healing touch, animal connections and meditation to create balance, harmony and healing. At its essence is its simplicity; Reiki needs only the practitioner’s intention and the animal’s acceptance. Animals are wonderfully open to energy healing and appear to have a deep evolutionary understanding. It’s important to let them be the guide during the session.”

Managing your grief

According to Susan Bandy, owner of the pet cremation service Sienna Sky in Ghent, NY, and the founder and president of The Lily Pond, a non-profit animal sanctuary, one of the best ways to grieve for your pet is to tap into your creativity.

“When grieving a loss or worrying about an impending loss, one of the most helpful things you can do is focus on a creative activity—writing, painting, music, dancing, cooking, gardening, woodworking—whatever creative pursuit you enjoy or feel drawn to,” says Bandy, who regularly helps grieving pet owners and is studying to become a certified grief counselor. “Creative endeavors are very healing because they engage the heart and mind, which helps process deep sorrow. It can be especially beneficial when the creative activity includes a tribute to the pet who has passed, such as painting a portrait of the pet or creating a place of honor in your home for your pet with photos, paw prints or special memorabilia of your life with them.”

“I also recommend spending time with horses,” she continues. “Horses are natural heart healers who have an incredible ability to read and respond to human emotion. They can offer enormous empathy and bring peace to people who are experiencing deep grief. If you don’t happen to own a horse, there are many wonderful equine-assisted therapeutic programs, or you might consider volunteering at a local equine sanctuary.”

And remember

“Instead of focusing on their aging and decline, just spend time with them in a meaningful way and be open and present to what they are trying to communicate,” Downs recommends. “When we show up for our animals with loving compassion, they will (usually!) reflect it back.”

Some of the most practical and simple messages might be the most important ones:

• Cherish your pets with each day they are with you.
• Help them find joy.
• Keep them clean.
• Keep them company.
• Respect their individual needs and treat them kindly.
• Seek therapies to keep them comfortable.
• Spoil them.
• Talk to them and/or sing to them.
• Use compassion to ease their anxiety and stress.
• When they have passed, hold their memories close to you and honor them by helping other animals around you, whether it be in your home or in the outside world.

This article was published in the March/April 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.