The Ribbon Cutting
I am pleased to announce Sunset Veterinary Care is now open. Starting October 5th, 2020 we will be answering your inquiries and scheduling appointments. Appointments will start after Thanksgiving - on October 13th, 2020.
The journey to opening up a small business, specifically a housecall veterinary service, has not been a short one! I have had the idea to create Sunset Veterinary Care for over 5 years. I needed the right timing to get started, which has been a bit muddled with the start of a pandemic. I have spent the last 8 months planning and preparing for this day. I was so excited to work with TooPink Creative for the creation of my logos and brand identity. I think she did a great job capturing the essence.
My website is fully up and functioning. You can learn more about me, the practice, our services, our fees, and how to contact us. I also have a section with useful information for aging, ailing and dying pets and their families. Links to my blog and social media are also found up top. The schedule an appointment button will take you to a form to fill out to help us get more information to help you schedule a visit.
Our current hours of operation, which will change, are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-5pm. During these hours the phone line will be open. Phone messages and emails will be returned the same day during open business hours. Any messages or emails received outside of business hours will be returned by the next open business day at the latest.
At this time you will see me use a lot of the royal “we”. I am hoping to expand my operations very soon, but at this time Sunset Veterinary Care is 100% run and operated by me, Dr. Liz Andree. Of course I do have lots of help and support from my wonderful husband, but he hasn’t agreed to answering the phone just yet.
I started Sunset Veterinary Care with a vision to provide a valued service to Winnipeg. All of our visits are scheduled in the comfort of your home to ensure everyone experiences as little stress as possible. Many animals (and their people) become more anxious or even fearful when visiting unfamiliar spaces. The goal of housecall care is to reduce the level and frequency of stress and anxiety of all involved. “There’s no place like home.” Being at home also provides a significant amount of privacy. Families can grieve, memorialize and conduct ceremonies in their own space without fear of judgment, and know they do not have to leave or drive at the end of the visit. Being at home also allows other animals in the home to be present for the passing of their housemates, if they choose.
So what is end-of-life care and what does Sunset Veterinary Care offer?
End-of-life care is a term to encompass any care we provide to senior, terminally ill or dying patients. These services include quality-of-life assessments where a veterinarian will examine your companion and have an open discussion to determine how well the dog or cat is doing overall. While we often wish our pets could live forever, I frequently hear families say they do not want their pet to suffer and prefer for their pet to live better, not just longer. This type of visit allows the veterinarian to use your expertise on the individual animal, along with the medical information to help determine the quality of life the companion is experiencing. When an animal is determined to still have a good quality of life, there may still be some recommendations for how to maintain or improve this level. When an animal is determined to have a less than optimal quality of life, discussion will be moved more towards euthanasia or hospice-supported death. We will spend a large portion of this visit discussing a family’s wishes for their pet’s death and aftercare.
The death of our beloved pets is often an experience that stays with us for the rest of our lives. I believe there should be just as much importance placed on these final visits as is placed on the initial wellness visits. The option most families choose is humane euthanasia. It is important to know that while a family is making the decision, so is the veterinarian. We are here to support the family in their decision making and would not allow families to pursue euthanasia if it was a bad decision. The euthanasia visit is set up to allow for ample time for the animal to feel comfortable, reduce the need for restraint and give families the time they need together. Each visit is individualized to the companion animal to ensure their comfort. Each family is given grief resources and memorial items to keep.
Following the death of a beloved pet there are a few options for how to care for their bodies. The most common method of aftercare is cremation. Animals can be either cremated privately so the cremains (ashes) can be returned to the family, or communally where the the cremains will be buried with those of other deceased pets. Other families may wish to bury their pets. This is legal on private property in Winnipeg provided some guidelines are followed. Sunset Veterinary Care will take care of all cremation arrangements to provide you with peace of mind.
We plan on expanding our services in 2021 to include hospice and palliative care. While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they are in fact different. There are many similarities, as both types of care are patient-centred and are focused on providing comfort, not cure. The main difference comes from timing. Hospice care is care provided when we know a patient is terminal, or expected to pass soon. The care provided assists in keeping the pet’s comfort high and pain-level low during the time leading up to death. Palliative care, on the other hand, is care provided when a patient is diagnosed with any serious disease. The disease does not have to be terminal, but will have a major impact on the quality of life of the patient. Examples of disease that we may palliate are: cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, cognitive dysfunction (i.e. dementia), or arthritis. Choosing hospice or palliative care does not mean you are giving up on your companion for two reasons. Firstly, other treatments can still be continued while seeking this type of care. For example, a cat with hyperthyroidism can continue on their thyroid medication to treat the disease, but may benefit from additional therapies to ensure they are comfortable. Secondly, this type of care is focused on the patient’s experience and making sure their pain is minimized. This often means we are providing therapies and treatments to reduce pain and suffering. A major part of hospice and palliative care is the emotional support we give to families. Making decisions for our furry family members can be very tolling. We are here to provide support and connect you with others who can help you during a difficult time.
I encourage you to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to be kept up to date with my service and offerings, and to share with friends who may find my service valuable. I am so thankful for your support and look forward to serving Winnipeg’s dogs & cats and their families.
