Quality of Life Consultations
Quality of Life Consultations are an ideal
place to begin the End-of-Life journey
There are so many questions and considerations that we can help support you through.
How will I know when the time is right?
This is the dreaded dilemma most pet caregivers face at some time in their journey with their pets. Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer to this question, as it is highly personal and dependent on not just the pet’s condition, as so many other factors come into consideration when making a decision for euthanasia.
This is the most common and difficult question asked by pet lovers and caregivers. Here are some articles that may help navigate you through your pet’s End-of-Life journey:
Quality of Life Consultations now available via Telehealth Appointments.
Testimonials
What are the benefits of a consultation to help assess your pet's quality of life?
🐾 Have you ever wondered if your pet is in pain?
🐾 Have you questioned if it is time to make the dreaded euthanasia decision?
🐾 Are you curious to learn more about hospice, palliative care & pain management?
🐾 Do you want to feel more prepared for the changes or worsening in your pet's condition?
🐾 Are you wanting to feel more prepared for your pet's end of life?
🐾 Do you want to learn more about what to expect during a euthanasia?
🐾 Do you want to know more about ways to support a natural death at home?
🐾 Have you thought about making an End-of-Life Plan for your pet?
🐾 Let's talk about creating a Bucket List for your pet!
What is included in a Quality of Life Consultation?
🐾 1 - 1.5 hours of one-on-one consultation with Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Veterinarian, Dr. Erica.
🐾 In-depth exploration of the many facets of your pet’s quality of life, including discussing your unique concerns for your pet, yourself, and your family.
🐾 Reviewing QOL scales and pain scales to help provide a more objective assessment of your pet.
🐾 Consults may transition into collaboration with your family veterinary team which may enhance your pet’s quality of life, or may facilitate planning for end-of-life care.
🐾 Farewell Planning: includes a discussion of goals for how you would like your pet’s end of life journey to look and how these goals could be achieved.
🐾 Discussion of what in-home euthanasia may look like.
🐾 Creating an End of Life Plan.
🐾 A written summary for you and your family veterinarian.
Telemedicine consults only.
Please Note
Quality of Life consultations are not intended to diagnose or treat, but rather support you in a different and broader way for making decisions for your pet.
This consultation does not include ongoing medical management, medications, treatment suggestions, or integrative palliative/hospice therapies.
Should you and your pet could benefit from ongoing care, communication, and planning, we will discuss how this may be facilitated.
This is a time for non-judgemental, open communication.
Our quality of life (QOL) consultations focus on better understanding your pet’s condition and possible progression, as well as family beliefs, values, experiences, and resources, including time, emotional and physical support, and financial budgets.
We look at all aspects of care to help make informed decisions supporting what is best for the pet AND the family.
As pet caregivers truly understand their pet’s personal preferences the most, we partner with you, offering professional guidance and tools to help measure quality of life more objectively.
Managing pain and anxiety go a long way in promoting good quality of life.
Together, during our 1 hour in-depth QOL consultations, we explore three main components of your pet’s wellbeing: physical, social, and psychological. We further break down these elements, guiding you with questionnaires, QOL scales, and open dialogue.
Our goal is to guide our families through the complex End-of-Life decision-making process in a way that supports the anticipatory grief felt deeply by families during this time, while helping families feel as prepared as possible for the next steps.
Decision-Making Tools
🐾 Consultations with our team: we can help guide you through palliative care, hospice-assisted natural death, or euthanasia.
🐾 Seek support from friends and family who understand the connection you share with your beloved pet.
🐾 Compare photos or videos of your pet to see the subtle changes that take place over time.
🐾 List 3-5 favourite things: when they no longer able to enjoy these, it may be time to consider euthanasia.
🐾 Tracking good and bad days on a calendar: when there are more bad days than good, it may be time to discuss euthanasia.
Our QOL Calendar, Scale, & Daily Diary is available here:
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I consider a Quality of Life Consultation?
A QOL Consultation is helpful for those unsure if euthanasia is the next best option for your pet. These consults are especially helpful for those wanting to feel more prepared for your pet’s end-of-life or for those wanting to know what to expect during a euthanasia experience.
Do you offer in-home quality of life consultations?
Our QOL consultations are only available virtually or via telemedicine.
Who should be present during a QOL consultation?
We welcome all caretakers & decision-makers be present during the consultation. If this is not possible, we encourage you to review our online QOL questionnaire, as well as QOL and pain scales together.
Do I need to do a QOL consult prior to an in-home euthanasia?
No. Clients who are ready to say goodbye at home may schedule an in-home euthanasia with us without a separate consultation; and vice versa, those who schedule a quality of life consultation are not obligated to schedule an in-home euthanasia with us when they are ready. We are here to help guide and support you.
Remember, quality of life does not just apply to the pet, it applies to the whole family.
We understand that this is a very difficult and overwhelming time. We are committed to helping through the decision-making process, actively listening to your concerns and needs, providing comfort and relieving pain for your pets to facilitate the most peaceful End-of-Life experience.
Please reach out at 226-779-KIND (5463) with any questions.
We are honoured to help you and your pet in your time of need.