Dr. Kerry Muhovich

Caring Pathways Colorado Veterinarian

Provide Treats 

Treats can facilitate a pet not noticing a sedative injection. They also can help clients have one last opportunity to share a memory with a pet. Whipped cream and soft candies are just two special treats that could be offered.  

Provide a Guide

While the last moments any pet has with their family are special, sedated pets may not always sleep as quietly as they normally do. Breathing patterns can also vary from what owners are used to seeing. Having a vet tech or veterinarian stay with the family in those moments can provide reassurance of changes in sleep patterns as well as a listening ear when owners do want to share.  

Normalize Stepping Away 

How much of the euthanasia process a family wishes to stay with the pet can vary widely. If families choose to leave for any part of the process thank them for their trust in you and let them know their pet is in good hands. If there is uncertainty on how much anyone wants to stay, keep communication open. Wherever possible, allow for moments where family members can step away if needed and return when they are ready. 

Don't forget the tissues

Provide tissues and ensure there are enough for the whole family.  

Reduce stressors by anticipating needs 

Advise clients that having a friend drive them can help reduce stress around the appointment. Consider sending consent and payment info electronically ahead of the appointment so the focus can stay on the pet.  

Handle with care 

If paw prints are a standard item you give to clients consider asking if that is desired even if its given at no cost to the client. Some clients know their pets do not like their feet touched and want that honored even after the pet has passed. Some clients simply don't want a memorial item.  

Provide resources 

As you do with puppy care, chronic diseases, and convalescence provide your clients with resources to navigate the passing of their beloved pet.

If you have any questions on increasing comfort for your clients, patients or staff around end-of-life care, please let us know. We would be happy to set up a lunch and learn to meet with you and your staff.

We had the opportunity to honor 300 of our beloved clients in the tribute video above. Our pets truly are members of our family and we are reminded of that from looking at the precious faces represented in this video. Thank you for the mutual love and support you provide to these amazing animals.

2022: A Review of the Year

• We are honored to have walked with 10,000+ pet families with our end-of-life pet care services in 2022.
• Caring Pathways is always striving to improve our services. We allow clients an opportunity to give us feedback after every appointment and we are humbled to share that when asked if clients would recommend Caring Pathways, the average response is 9.93 out of 10.
• Neighbors voted Caring Pathways a 2022 Neighborhood Favorite in Nextdoor’s annual celebration of local businesses in Centennial.
• Offering clients another way to memorialize their pet has brought in over 75 personally written tributes from families that we have helped.
• Our Hospice and Palliative Care Coordinator, Michelle Frank, was recognized as one of AAHA’s Vet Tech of the Year finalists! We feel so grateful to have such dedicated and talented support staff.
• We are here to be your resource and expert partner in end-of-life care. Two of our amazing veterinarians on staff achieved a certification in Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPV) through the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC).
• Our Grief Support Specialist conducted over 100 pet loss grief support consults.
• We donated monthly to two Morris Animal Foundation research studies.
• The first study is being conducted at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine with the goal to reduce pain and slow progression of arthritis in feline patients.
• The second study we chose to sponsor is based out of the University of California Davis College of Veterinary Medicine and is aimed at slowing damaging changes to the heart in dogs diagnosed with subaortic stenosis.

We would love to visit your clinic to bring you new brochures and to explain why we are the best in-home end-of-life care provider for your clients Please email joshua@caringpathways.com to set up a time for us to visit your clinic.

• Our team of 25+ veterinarians and 20+ support staff members serving from Castle Rock to Fort Collins allows us to provide clients with a quick response time and a flexible appointment schedule.
• Often times we are able to accommodate same day appointment requests.
• Our Client Care Team is available from 7:00AM to 8:00PM to respond to phone calls and online requests.
• Our veterinarians will see appointments from 9:00AM to 1:00AM the following morning.