PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Fall 2020 - 20

FACING THE FEAR IN SAYING GOODBYE

some of the hardest emotionally, where the pet represents
a living connection to a departed loved one e.g. when the
animal belonged to a deceased grandparent, parent or child.
These situations are particularly hard for the client, and they
often share the details of why the loss is so hard for them
to bear. Another unfortunate consequence of providing this
service is that I am asked to euthanize animals belonging
to my friends, neighbors and colleagues - so the emotional
attachment is present and must be faced bravely. I often
remind clients that they are helping their companion to
pass away peacefully because they love them, and they
are choosing euthanasia to save them from further pain
and suffering. It is not a failure or a disservice to end a life
peacefully - it is a final act of kindness.

Satisfaction guaranteed
So, in these latter stages of my career I have discovered what
I consider to be a perfect role. I am not "at my clients beck
and call" because I have no ongoing clients. When I book a
job, it is scheduled at a mutually convenient time, and once
the service is complete, they are no longer my client. For the
clients who want their companion to pass away peacefully
in their sleep at home, surrounded by their loving family, I
am the answer to their prayers. Every appointment has a
successful outcome; every treatment works as intended;

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every client gets the result that they hoped for-a peaceful
passing for their beloved pet.
I have discovered that I have a gift, a skill, an aptitude for
providing this service. I sometimes feel that it was my destiny to
do this work and it gives me a strong sense of purpose, feeling
so valued and appreciated.

About Dr. Kathryn Reilly, BVSc: She is the owner of Pets
In Peace LLC - DBA Farewell, located in Harleysville,
Pennsylvania. She wants to share her passion for inhome euthanasia with other veterinarians and promote
the service within the profession. She earned a Bachelor
of Science in Pharmacology in 1991 and a Bachelor of
Veterinary Science in 1992 at the University of Liverpool,
UK. She has a Diploma of Laboratory Animal Science
from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and an
Executive MBA from the University of Hertfordshire,
UK. She relocated to the USA where she successfully
completed equivalency examinations and gained her
PA Veterinary license in 2010. Dr. Kathryn Reilly can be
reached by email at Farewellnetwork@gmail.com and
phone 215.805.3625.

PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Fall 2020

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