Chronic diseases require different treatment strategies.
Patient centered, appropriate guidance, and support at these times can make a world of difference for our cherished animal companions as well as their human caretakers. We can take the time to help you understand what to expect, identify your goals, and provide you with the help you need in order to support comfort and quality of life, for as long as possible, at home. Our clinic considers the patient the whole family unit, not only the animal companion but also the needs and concerns of the caregivers of the animal.
Dr. Jennifer Marshall is one of only a few veterinarians in Western Canada to have achieved certification in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPV) from the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. She actively consults with the other veterinarians and support staff at the Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic to provide optimal palliative care as needed to our patients.
Recently Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic welcomed Dr. Cyntia Kashivakura who has received certification in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care from International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC). The Compassionate Care stream of support also has a Veterinary Social Worker, Joey Leslie, to help support the psycho-social needs of the family unit, as a holistic approach to the patient. Joey is working on the IAAPHC Veterinary Social Work certification, which addressed the specific needs of animal hospice and palliative care. When there is a difficult diagnosis or quality of life concerns, as well as end of life, Joey is here to walk alongside the families for emotional support.
We are here for you and your animal companion as your journey together comes to a close. End-of-life care demands exquisite sensitivity and support from your veterinary care team. Please call us if you need us in this capacity or would like to learn about the Compassionate Care service offered by Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic. Limited house-call euthanasia services are available (with scheduling priority for patients enrolled in the monthly Compassionate Care subscription service). There is also emotional support available through the entire Compassionate Care journey. We honour the bond between animal and human and strive to provide family centered care.
This service was developed to help complement and support the work required for families who are dealing with terminal illness or quality of life concerns. At some points in our animal companions lives there is a shift from curative interventions to keeping the animal family member comfortable for the remainder of their life. The Compassionate Care team is here to help listen to and navigate those issues and concerns.
The hospice experience is intended to be peaceful, intimate, respectful, and unhurried. It allows the pet to be surrounded by those that love them and not to be scared or panicked being in a noisy, rushed clinic. It is a time to honour the pet’s life.
House call Euthanasia
Our Compassionate Care by EHVC services have expanded. We’re now able to provide At Home Good-byes through our expanded house call euthanasia service. This service is available for new and existing clients (canine and feline only).
Our house call euthanasia schedule is Wednesday evenings from 6pm-9pm and Saturdays from 10am-3pm.
As an alternative, we can also make arrangements at the clinic for euthanasia in one of the comfort rooms in the clinic on Wednesday evenings (6pm-9pm) and Saturdays (10am-3pm).
There is a different evening/weekend fee for house call euthanasia that includes the euthanasia and the travel fee within Edmonton. We can go out to the "Greater Edmonton" areas for an additional mileage fee.
*For our house call euthanasia on evenings and weekends, clients will need to make their own arrangements for aftercare pick up/drop off.*
House call euthanasia can help say "good bye" in the comfort and familiarity of home. We know that this is a difficult time for clients and patients, and we are here to help the end of life transition be as smooth as possible.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you are ready to say "good-bye".
For house call euthanasia Wednesday evening (6pm-9pm) or Saturday (10am-3pm), please call 587.982.1899.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Compassionate Care
My pet has been recently diagnosed with an incurable disease. I heard about the Compassionate Care service you offer at the Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic. Can you tell me more about it?
The Compassionate Care service is intended to provide pet families with an extra level of inclusive care. We will create a personalized comfort-focused care plan for your pet according to your needs and beliefs. Please email [email protected] for more information.
How is this different from what my regular vet is already doing?
This service was created to provide comfort care for your pet and pet families after being diagnosed with a chronic or incurable disease. We understand your relationship with your regular vet is unique and built on many years of trust. We are here to be the extra support for you, your pet, and your vet. We use both conventional and holistic approaches such as acupuncture, herbal therapy, nursing care, and mobility/rehab services to assist your pet.
Is this service focused on end-of-life care?
Compassionate Care by EHVC goes beyond end-of-life care, we are here to support pet families from the time of diagnosis until the end-of-life. We help to provide the comfort your pet needs and to help pet families go through this challenging process by honoring the human-animal bond. We will assist your pet using both conventional and holistic approaches by providing advanced pain control, herbal therapy, acupuncture, nutritional guidance and home care suggestions. When the time comes, we are able to provide euthanasia or supported natural death (when appropriate) services and guidance.
I am interested in the Compassionate Care service offered by EHVC, but I also want my regular vet to be involved. What should I do?
We work collaboratively with your regular veterinarian and anyone involved in the care of your pet. We are here to work together with you and your vet to help keep your pet comfortable. We have additional training in holistic medicine, which can complement the treatment your pet is already receiving from your vet.
Do you have additional training to offer this service?
Both Dr. Jennifer Marshall and Dr. Cyntia Kashivakura are certified in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. They share a commitment towards comprehensive comfort support both for pets and their human loved ones. We also have a Veterinary Social Worker, Joey Leslie, in-house who can provide you with resources and one-on-one emotional/social support. Joey holds a BSW from the University of Calgary and has completed a Social Work certificate in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care.
This service sounds exactly like what my family is looking for. What is the next step?
Please call us to book an appointment and come for a first consultation or send us an email to [email protected] for more information.
Do I have to be a client to see the Veterinary Social Worker?
Our Veterinary Social Worker is available for clients, and she is also available for the community at large regarding pets loss and grief.
She is available for individual, family, and group support. Pet loss support groups are being offered free of charge the last Monday of the month from 6-7:30pm & the last Thursday of the month from 12-1:30pm.