EMPATHY IN ACTION
Customizing your patient’s EUTHABAG
Offering pet parents to personalize their pet’s bag can be a soothing ritual before saying goodbye. It can facilitate acceptance of the animal’s departure and initiate the mourning process. They can also write a letter to their pet and put it in the bag. It's a way for them to contribute to the process. Permanent markers & paint work wonderfully on the fabric.
Download here our brochure to make it available to your customers.
Pre-planning
A Guide to Planning Ahead by the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, the PLPA.
AVMA companion animal aftercare policy recommends: ”Encourage prior planning so that owners are aware of their options and can easily communicate their preferences. Preplanning can be offered by the veterinarian or delegated to the aftercare provider”.
A friendly reminder
If this candle is lit: when placed next to an LED candle, it will inform that a euthanasia is being performed and thus help reduce the amount of noise during this delicate time.
Click HERE to download this template for your practice.
To favour a moment of reverence and support customers
"If this candle is lit, someone is saying goodbye to their beloved pet.
We ask that you speak softly and with respect during this difficult time.
Thank you for your patience and kindness."
Click HERE to download this template for your practice.
Colouring pages
Click on an image below to download a colouring page for children. Offer this prior to the discussion with the owners, to give children an opportunity to honor their best friend’s memory.
Children and grief
Children and pet lost brochure offers tips on how to discuss the loss of a pet with children and help them cope with grief.
Ink paw print or nose print
A pigmented ink pad (Craft Smart) that does not stain the hands
Cat nose print with regular ink.
To join to the sympathy card, the nose or paw print in multiple copies for all members of the family. A materialization of all the delicacy you have shown that reassures the family.
You can use an ink pad, calligraphy ink applied with a brush, bingo ink or a pigmented ink pad (Craft Smart) that does not stain the hands.
Tips:
After euthanasia, in order to have a beautiful paw print, trim the claws on the back paw and shave/cut the hair between the pads.
If you make a paw print (compared to a nose print), wipe the paw with alcohol first. This will allow it to absorb more ink and remove dirt.
Place the paw or nose on the ink pad, paint with calligraphy ink or bingo ink and press onto a piece(s) of cardstock (or textured paper). For the nose print, flip the nose over onto the paper.
Make more than one print for each child in the family or for members who were unable to be there.
The pet's name and date can then be added to the piece(s) of paper and you have now created a lasting keepsake for the pet's family! You can then send the paw print along with the sympathy card.
It is important to send the sympathy card within 3-5 days of the euthanasia to help the pet's family realize how much we truly care. Sending the card a week or two later may hinder the healing process that may have begun, and receiving the card at this time may also bring back unwanted memories of the euthanasia.
Guinea Pig nose print
Bubulle, our CEO's beloved guinea pig, who passed away in 2019. Making these prints was a source of peace for us.
RIP Bubulle, you will be missed!
Bubulle paw print
Ways to honor the patient
See the Honoring your pet page for all details.
Online pet loss support groups
You can find more pet loss support groups and counselors on our page Grief Support.
Donations
See the Honoring your pet page for all details.