Veterinary Service

Pet End of Life Care

We can assist you in making one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make, including how to ensure a smooth transition for your pet.

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Pet End of Life Care in Louisville, KY

Saying farewell to your best friend is never simple. We strive to give you and your pet a calm and comfortable experience, and we are here for you every step of the way. 

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Pet End of Life Care

Caring for your best friend through their final months and days is one of the most challenging transitions a pet parent and their companion can experience together. Our pets don’t like to show us their pain – making things for you, as their caretaker, that much more challenging.

Knowing what your pet needs, whether they are truly comfortable, and when is the time to let go, can feel overwhelming and uncertain. We are here for you to ensure your pet’s comfort, peace, and dignity in their final stages of life.

At Seneca, we have seen firsthand the great need our clients have for in-home assistance and guidance through End of Life Services. We are here for you and your pet during this challenging time. 

We are proud to introduce our Certified End Of Life Doula: Kristen Black

Kristen is passionate about ensuring pets’ comfort through all stages of their lives. As a lifelong animal lover and devoted Veterinary Assistant, Kristen has experienced firsthand the great need for professional and compassionate care when a family pet is reaching the end of life.

Kristen has received her Companion Animal End of Life Doula training through the University of Vermont, and we are honored to offer our community her specialized care.

The University of Vermont End of Life Services Course, advances the skillset of animal care professionals extending to specific care through the final stages of your pet’s life. Kristen has dedicated her life to caring for animals and is devoted to ensuring that your pet has a comfortable, dignified final chapter.

kristen black
What is an End of Life Doula?
Traditionally, the term “Doula” refers to a birthing coach, but in a more modern context, a Doula is a person who escorts someone through a difficult life transition. In this case, the difficult transition is from life to death for our companion animals.
What does an End of Life Doula do?
Kristen’s goal is to help pet owners know when the time is right to help their companions cross the Rainbow Bridge and aid them in how to care for their pets until that time comes. Additionally, Kristen is dedicated to helping you with the painful grief after saying goodbye to your beloved pet.

As owners, it can be tough to see signs of suffering and pain, and as skilled professionals, we are here to aid you when the time draws closer to let you know when your pet is ready to move on.

Kristen’s drive to develop this program for her community stemmed from her passion for senior pets and seeing the great need for it at Seneca Animal Hospital. Our team regularly receives calls from loyal pet parents, unsure if it is time to say goodbye to their pets. The decision to euthanize is almost always a tough one, but we can help you understand the cues your pet is conveying and the best ways to help – even if that means helping them pass peacefully.

Kristen is trained to look for vital signs of the quality of life, such as attitude, mobility, comfort, and cognition, to help us determine when your pet is no longer happy.

Veterinary Services in Louisville, KY

Pet Dental Care

Pet Microchipping

Pet Surgery

Senior Pet Wellness

Pet In-House Laboratory

Pet Diagnostic Imaging

Pet Vaccinations

Veterinary House Calls

Pet Wellness Care

Pet In-House Pharmacy

Pet End of Life Care