Offering condolences and creating keepsakes are standard practices in most veterinary clinics today. Reaching out to clients after their pet dies is not only a sign of compassion, it is also a wise business practice. For one reason or another, a significant number of clients do not return to a veterinary practice after their pet dies. However, a friendly, concerned contact after the death of a pet can break through this avoidance and denial aspect of grief. It may help to reassure clients that you understand their loss and will welcome them back at any time. The vast majority of… Continue Reading
Connecting with Grieving Clients
Viewing A Pet’s Body: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 5 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving a client viewing a pet’s body after death has occurred. Situation: Viewing A Pet’s Body Your client Helen’s long-haired dachshund, Pixie, just died in emergency surgery. You’ve given Helen the news. By now, she’s calmed down a little from the initial shock and… Continue Reading
Client-Present Euthanasia: Situational Support Protocols – Step 3
This is Part 4, Step 3 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving client-present euthanasia. Due to the complexity of this situation, this topic has been divided into three separate blogs: Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. If you haven’t read the previous two blogs, go back and read them first. Stay Connected… Continue Reading
Client-Present Euthanasia: Situational Support Protocols – Step 2
This is Part 4, Step 2 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving client-present euthanasia. Due to the complexity of this situation, this topic has been divided into three separate blogs: Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. If you haven’t read the first blog, go back and read Step 1 before reading Step… Continue Reading
Client-Present Euthanasia: Situational Support Protocols – Step 1
This is Part 4, Step 1 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving client-present euthanasia. Due to the complexity of this situation, this topic has been divided into three separate blogs. Situation: Client-Present Euthanasia The Mathews family, including Sarah and Jeff; their 6-year-old son, Jonah; and their 13-year-old cocker spaniel named Buddy, arrive at… Continue Reading
Euthanasia Decision Making: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 3 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving euthanasia decision making. Situation: Euthanasia Decision Making Dawn is sitting beside you in an exam room after a follow up visit with her Cairn Terrier, Candy, who is terminally ill. You’ve told her that the prognosis is bad and it may be time… Continue Reading
Delivering Bad News: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 2 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case about delivering bad news Situation: Delivering Bad News A client named Joanna rushes into your hospital holding her cat, Boots, in her arms. She is crying and distraught, and it’s obvious that Boots is in respiratory distress. You immediately take the cat to an… Continue Reading
Crisis and Emergency: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 1 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving a crisis or emergency. Situation: Crisis and Emergency Rhonda rushes her dog Romeo to your veterinary clinic on a Friday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. Romeo has just been attacked by another dog, his injuries are severe, and his life is in danger. Romeo… Continue Reading
