concierge animal hospice support plans

Families often feel like they’re ‘flying blind’ when a progressive or life-limiting diagnosis has been revealed. The same is true when their pet reaches a stage of age-related decline that has them wondering how they’re going to cope. Many pet guardians aren’t clear on what to expect as their pet declines, what they or their pets need, and that there are options for moving through these tender stages in a way that is in line with their values, goals and wishes. As a seasoned professional, I can attest that guardians are best prepared to navigate through difficult decision-making when they have experienced guidance by way of Animal Hospice & Palliative Care (AHPC) support. And a framework grounded in empathy paves the way for that. When that’s provided in a way that meets their needs by being responsive, predictable, clear and flexible—that’s how it’s most effective. Ideally, the AHPC plan is introduced as early as possible to avoid the fallout from being late-to-care—sometimes referred to LTC—a scenario that is seen too often. 

As a Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner and Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Advocate, I can attest that communication and collaboration are at the heart of the AHPC support that the families in my care have come to expect over the years. Many have stated, ‘you’re the first person we call…’ when guidance is needed or help sorting out a situation to gain clarity on whether medical or non-medical advisement is appropriate. My providing the concierge support experience that pet guardians need has always been the goal, via touchpoints that meet the changing needs of the pet and the family. The goal of doing so addresses the prevailing features of AHPC support: overall well being for both the pet and the caregivers; helping the pet to live as comfortable and meaningful a life for as long as possible until their death; acceptance of a new reality by the caregivers while finding meaning in the experience, all while maintaining a journey that is navigated by the caregivers with least regrets and the benefit of ongoing empathy. 

After moving through an initial AHPC consultation, guardians are able to choose enrollment in one of four customized Concierge Animal Hospice & Palliative Care Support Plans, detailed below. The goal of each plan is to provide touchpoints—regular virtual appointments and in-home appointments, and in some cases access to support via text and the ability to connect directly via phone in crisis situations—that offer a tailored level of support and advocacy to families whose pets have been assessed to have a progressive or life-limiting diagnosis, or an advanced stage of age-related decline and the burden of care has demonstrated a next-level need of support. As an added bonus, families-of-record who opt in for higher level concierge support packages benefit from complementary access to the virtual learning hub, highlighting topics relevant to the specialized needs they are facing.