End of life care - Stanley House Vets
There is never a good time to say farewell to a much loved pet. Sadly their life spans are all too short and as pet owners this is something all of us will have to face.
Sometimes a much loved pet will die in its sleep at home, sometimes as the result of an accident. But for many owners a decision has to be reached and euthanasia is considered as the kindest release for a pet who is suffering and failing to respond to any treatment.
When the time comes our vets and nurses are here to help you make the right, informed decision.
Understandably a lot of clients choose to have a home visit. If this was to be your choice once you have phoned the surgery we feel it is only appropriate to arrange the visit as soon as we have a vet and a nurse available, as we understand waiting for our arrival will be an extremely difficult time.
We understand that all clients’ situations at this time can differ so we will try our best to accommodate your needs when the time comes. If you have decided to leave everything in our hands, we would like to make you familiar with the different types of cremation service available.
We can arrange for your pet to be individually cremated and return the ashes to you. If you would like to scatter the ashes in your garden, or even on a favourite walk you shared with your pet, we will arrange for your pets ashes to be returned in a cardboard scatter box. Should you wish to keep your pets ashes you can choose a sealed wooden casket at no extra cost.
The standard service is available if you do not wish to have you pet individually cremated. Your pets ashes will not be returned to you with this service.
Grieving for the loss of a pet can be a sad and difficult time. Sometimes sharing your thoughts and feelings can help. The Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS) is dedicated to offering support and understanding to bereaved pet owners though a network of trained volunteer telephone and e-mail befrienders. All calls and e-mails are treated confidentially.
Support Line Tel: 0800 096 6606 (8:30am to 8:30pm)
e-mail support: pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk
Write to : PBSS, The Blue Cross, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PF.
We work very closely with the Samaritans and there is always someone there you can talk to… call free on 116 123.
Compassion Understood is also a very good website for advice and support for owners
at their companion’s end-of-life.
Filming Goodnight, Friend took us from the rugged Pennines and rolling valleys of Lancashire to the quaint beauty of the Cotswolds. The people we met may live miles apart, but one thing brought them together – their shared experience of love and loss. It takes great courage to talk to a stranger about grief and it was an honour to hear their stories. In turn, I shared my own story of losing Plume – my horse and friend of 21 years – the inspiration behind this film. I hope that Goodnight, Friend will bring comfort to those who need it and bring understanding of this topic to a wider audience.