Like many childhood pets, Ben was Ron Weese’s best friend. The Weese family raised the puppy from birth, and Ben and Ron were inseparable. When Ben’s health deteriorated, Ron’s father handed him a pistol and said, “You know what you need to do.”
Ron wasn’t mentally prepared to end Ben’s life. However, as a pre-teen in rural Ohio during the ’80s, the act was an informal rite of passage. “I had a job to do and a hole to dig,” he said. “We never had a lot of money, and that was the cheapest, easiest route.”
His more recent loss, involving his Labrador retriever, Hank, was an entirely different experience. When Hank’s mobility began to decline, Ron and his wife, Chris, exhausted all the options. “It wasn’t for lack of trying,” Chris said. “We started with meloxicam, and then we added gabapentin, and then tramadol and melatonin to help him sleep.”
The family eventually sought in-home chiropractic care and acupuncture when the medications no longer provided a sufficient quality of life for Hank. However, when the Lab also developed cognitive dysfunction, the Weeses decided it was time. They made an appointment at a veterinary hospital where a friend had had a good experience.
On a snowy February day, the Weese family was ushered into the hospital’s comfort room. “It was appropriate that it snowed that day because Hank loved the snow,” Chris said. “He got to make his last snow angel.”
After feeding Hank a Fudgsicle, popcorn and a hospital-donated Reese’s peanut butter heart, the Weeses said goodbye to their beloved pet. “They gave us as much time as we wanted,” Chris said. “There was no hurry. They gave us a doorbell buzzer and told us to let them know when we were ready.”
The Weeses paid to have Hank privately cremated rather than communally incinerated. His ashes reside at home in a stained wood box alongside a clay paw print made by the veterinary practice staff.
Ron Weese made the difficult decision to have his ailing dog, Hank, euthanized.The Evolution of Euthanasia
Although Ron Weese’s childhood experience with Ben isn’t typical today, the two episodes illustrate how the human-animal bond — and society’s view of a “good death” — have changed. The Weeses undoubtedly loved Ben and did their best in the ’80s to provide a quick, pain-free death for their loyal pet. However, Ron knew he wanted something different for Hank.
Euthanasia has long been part of pet ownership. Well before the American Veterinary Medical Association developed its first euthanasia guidelines in 1963, veterinarians assisted animals in passing peacefully.
Although the technical methods used — drugs, doses and means of administration — have changed little over the decades, the experience has improved considerably. A thoughtfully planned event has gradually replaced a quick venous injection of pentobarbital given in a sterile exam room.
Whereas previous veterinarians likely focused on quickly relieving their patients’ suffering and returning to a busy schedule of appointments, today’s veterinary teams focus on the entire euthanasia experience — from scheduling and preparation to aftercare options and follow-up communication — to ensure a peaceful passing and to create positive memories.
Dr. Joseph Crock, who practiced for over 45 years in central Ohio before retiring in 2020, performed hundreds of euthanasias. “I generally used the same drugs and techniques,” he said. “But, over time, I got to where I pretty much let the pet owners do whatever they wanted during the appointments. If they wanted to hold the pet in their lap or sit with it on the floor, that was fine with me. I wanted the experience to be as good as possible.”
The changes Dr. Crock made during his career and Ron’s recent experience illustrate the shift toward ensuring a peaceful, dignified end for pets and a positive encounter for their owners.
Here are a few examples of how veterinary teams have rethought the euthanasia experience to meet or exceed pet owners’ expectations.
Providing a Better Client Experience
Practice leaders and staff have created a homier atmosphere to minimize distractions and ensure a client’s last moments with a pet are as peaceful as possible. Many clinics have added comfort rooms, replacing plastic chairs and exam tables with soft lighting, calming music and comfortable furniture. Separate entrances allow emotionally drained pet owners to leave quietly. The payment is often collected upon arrival so a client doesn’t have to stop at the front desk on the way out. Some hospitals post a sign notifying staff and other pet owners that a euthanasia appointment is in progress and asking them to minimize noise.
Offering a Better Pet Experience
Providing a good death involves more than relieving a pet’s suffering. It also includes minimizing any anxiety and discomfort and helping the patient die with dignity.
Dr. Mary Gardner, the CEO and co-founder of Lap of Love, a veterinary hospice and in-home euthanasia company, shared an early memory. “I was working at the Humane Society of Broward County to get experience,” she said. “I was assisting in the surgical suite, and every now and then, I’d hear this voice say, ‘Hold on. … Hi, handsome boy. Hello, beautiful angel.’ One day, I looked down the hallway and there was the director of the humane society. Every time a dog walked by on its way to the euthanasia room, she would stop what she was doing and come out to love on them. Although shelter euthanasia is horrible, she made it a little bit better for each dog.”
Moving Beyond the Clinic
Farm veterinarians euthanize family pets from time to time, but in-home euthanasia is a relatively new concept.
Former CEO Dr. Dani McVety recalled the visit that led to Lap of Love’s in-home euthanasia service. “A woman called and asked, ‘Will anyone come to my house to euthanize my German shepherd? He’s never aggressive, but he’s hurt and he’s biting me,’” Dr. McVety recounted. “The tech said, ‘There’s nothing like that available. You’re going to have to get him in the car.’ She arrived at the clinic an hour later with her hand torn open from the dog. She had to go from her dog’s euthanasia to the emergency room. And I thought, ‘I’ve got to go to the house.’”
In-home euthanasia provides an alternative for families unable to transport a sick or injured pet to a veterinary hospital. The service also allows euthanasia to be performed wherever pets and their families feel most comfortable. Clients can plan every detail of their pet’s passing, from the location in the home to who is present.
Caring For the Remains
While some families choose to bury their pets in the backyard, private cremations provide a tangible reminder. According to Dr. McVety, the decision of whether to choose a communal or individual cremation has little to do with finances. “It’s definitely not a choice based on financial availability,” she said. “People will do anything they can to have the ashes of their dog if that’s what they want.”
Honoring a Pet’s Memory
Other options have emerged to help clients remember their beloved pets. Those who desire a physical reminder can have jewelry made from a pet’s ashes or opt for an ash-infused ink tattoo. Families wanting a more spiritual reminder might opt to plant a tree or design a garden memory stone.
Ensuring a Better Euthanasia Experience
A negative euthanasia encounter can quickly erode the veterinarian-client relationship, said Dr. McVety. “Most of the time, the clinic didn’t do anything wrong — it was just a bad experience for the client,” she said. “They don’t want to put their dog in the car or their cat in the carrier. They know they’re going to drive home without their pet. Maybe the receptionist didn’t smile and say, ’I’m sorry,’ when they walked in.”
With so much at stake, planning a positive experience is critical for veterinary practices. Here are 10 ways to provide a positive euthanasia experience.
1. Prepare Clients as Their Pets Age
Proactively communicating with clients about a pet’s life expectancy helps ensure the animal receives veterinary care throughout its senior years.
“The vast majority of geriatric pets we see have not been to the vet in one to two years because owners don’t want to spend $1,500 to be told their pet has arthritis, which they already know,” Dr. McVety said. “When pets become 8 or 10 years old, general practitioners should say, ‘You’re not there yet, but in the coming years, your dog’s going to slow down. Eventually, it will be in hospice. That means we’re going to make sure your dog is comfortable and happy, and you’ll know what to expect. I’m not going to try to talk you into a bunch of crazy stuff you don’t want. You can come talk to me whenever, and I’m going to be here to listen.’”
2. Form a Compassionate Care Team
Dr. Gardner recommends having a dedicated team responsible for ensuring that every aspect of the euthanasia experience is handled correctly. “If Rusty is coming at 2 p.m. today, the team members will have the room set up,” she said. “They’re going to get the paw print clay together, get the sedation ready to go, and make the ice cream sundae for him.”
3. Be Flexible
Whenever possible, allow clients to dictate the course of the appointment. Allow them to hold the pet or sit on the floor with it instead of insisting that they use an exam table. Let clients spend as much time as they want with the patient before the euthanasia drugs are administered. Additionally, offer drop-off appointments for clients who are unable to handle seeing their pet euthanized. For pets that are large or have mobility issues, consider euthanizing them in the client’s car.
“Those tiny things that seem insignificant to a veterinary team are extremely significant to the experience a client has,” Dr. McVety said.
4. Communicate Throughout the Appointment
Although the Weese family had a generally positive experience, it could have been even better. “I wish she had explained more to us when they were doing it,” Chris said. “She said, ‘We’re going to sedate him now,’ but they didn’t prepare us that his tongue was going to come out.”
“It was routine for them, but it wasn’t routine for us,” husband Ron said.
Remember that euthanasia is not a regular occurrence for pet owners. Every euthanasia appointment should include a step-by-step explanation so that owners know what to expect and can ask questions.
5. Don’t Judge
Veterinary teams must be careful not to critique a pet owner’s choices about end-of-life care and euthanasia. People have widely differing opinions about death, which might be based on their experiences, beliefs or religious tenets.
6. Don’t Separate the Pet From Its Family
Lap of Love asked pet owners about the factors that contributed to a bad euthanasia experience. “It wasn’t agonal breathing, twitching, or that the vein exploded or the eyes were open,” Dr. Gardner said. “The thing the families didn’t like the most was having their pet taken away.”
When a pet’s minutes are numbered, most owners want to spend every last one with their prized companion. They don’t want the animal taken to the treatment area for a catheter placement or other preparations. Although veterinary teams might balk at placing a catheter in front of an owner, leaving the pet in the room can go a long way toward ensuring the owner leaves the appointment with a positive impression.
“It’s not about you,” Dr. McVety said. “In this moment, impeccable service should be the goal, not making things perfect for the team.”
7. Always Sedate the Patient
According to retired veterinarian Dr. Crock, one of the most significant additions to his euthanasia protocol was sedation. “I started sedating pets before giving the euthanasia solution, and it made the experience much better for the pets and the families,” he said.
Although pre-euthanasia sedation is standard at many veterinary practices, others still hesitate. Dr. McVety is often asked whether sedatives will lower a patient’s blood pressure, making catheter placement difficult. “Sedatives reduce blood pressure in such a small way that it’s not even noticeable unless you’re doing something cardiac-related,” she said.
Others might worry about the added cost of sedation or the time taken, but Dr. Gardner said the step is a worthwhile investment. She recounted attending a veterinary conference and watching a video of a euthanasia performed without sedation. “The vet pushed the euthanasia solution and the dog — a beautiful golden — fumbles, crumbles and dies,” she said. “And I, the person who has performed thousands of euthanasias, am sitting in the room, crying. I need that sedation period. I don’t want to see a dog go from life to death like that. It affected me, and a lot of people can’t watch that either.”
8. Provide a Memorial Item
Most pet owners appreciate receiving a paw print and fur clipping from their pet. “To a lot of people, the paw print is more meaningful than the ashes,” Dr. McVety said. “It’s the thing that sat on their lap that they’ve touched, they’ve held.” She recommends providing a paw print at no charge. “Just do it or don’t do it. But don’t charge extra for it,” she said.
If a paw print kit is too expensive, consider buying air-dry clay in bulk and training your team to create professional-quality impressions.
Hank’s ashes and a paw print provide tangible memories of a life well-lived.9. Send Follow-Up Communication
Dr. Gardner strongly encourages checking on clients after the procedure. “Don’t be scared to communicate,” she said. “We’ll call a family the day after vaccines to see how they are, so let’s call after the euthanasia. It’s better to show you care.”
She also recommends emailing those clients at regular intervals afterward. The day after a pet is euthanized, a simple message of condolence is appropriate. A week later, the message can include links to grief resources. On the first anniversary, let clients know you are thinking of them, and perhaps share a happy memory you have of their pet.
10. Take Euthanasia Out of Your Hospital
According to data gathered by Dr. Gardner, 90% of one-pet clients don’t return to the euthanasia clinic within the next two years, although they likely adopt another animal during that time. That’s a significant loss of business.
“[After a euthanasia], they don’t want to drive past the clinic. They don’t want to go in anymore,” Dr. McVety said. “When you have euthanasia done somewhere other than the clinic, the client has a better feeling about the clinic, and they’re more willing to go back when they get a puppy or kitten again. If I owned a general practice, I would do anything I could to get euthanasia outside the walls of that practice, even if it’s on a blanket outside or in the car.”
Outsourcing euthanasia to an in-home service is an option. “The $75 to $100 you’re going to charge for the euthanasia is not worth losing that client,” Dr. McVety said.
THE CASE FOR EUTHANASIA
The American Veterinary Medical Association’s most recent update of its Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals occurred in 2020. They read, in part: “When the decision has been made to euthanize and the goal is to minimize pain, distress and negative effect to the animal, the humaneness of the technique (i.e., how we bring about the death of animals) is also an important ethical issue. As veterinarians and human beings it is our responsibility to ensure that if an animal’s life is to be taken, it is done with the highest degree of respect, and with an emphasis on making the death as painless and distress-free as possible.” The complete document is at bit.ly/3GOSyGs.
COUNTERING ECONOMIC EUTHANASIA
iVet360’s 2025 Veterinary Industry Benchmark Report stated: “Our iVET360 analysts are seeing a rise in euthanasia cases where cost, not care, was the deciding factor. As financial pressure grows, clients are walking away from treatment their pets need. It’s devastating and preventable. That’s why insurance should be a standard conversation, especially with new and younger pet owners.”
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR EMPLOYEES
Euthanasia can take a toll on team members, so a veterinary practice can help safeguard their mental health by caring for them during and after appointments. Here are three things you can do.
- Educate everyone: Team members, especially those who are new to the field, might not understand why euthanasia is a good choice for some pets. For example, they may question why you are euthanizing a cancer-stricken dog when the patient looks healthy and is eating. “Teaching teams quality-of-life assessments and why it’s OK to say goodbye a little bit sooner than later can be helpful,” said Dr. Mary Gardner, the CEO and co-founder of Lap of Love.
- Create policies everyone can accept: Ensure associate veterinarians are comfortable with your clinic’s euthanasia policy so they don’t feel pressured to euthanize healthy pets. Retired Ohio veterinarian Dr. Joseph Crock recounted a story from his early career about a woman with many cats who passed away. Her husband couldn’t care for the cats and couldn’t find a humane organization to take them, so he asked Dr. Crock to euthanize the animals. “I did it, but I felt awful about it and swore I’d never do something like that again,” Dr. Crock recalled.
- Check in with team members after euthanasia appointments: Pet owners aren’t the only ones affected by a patient’s death. Take a moment to check in on team members after euthanasia appointments, especially if the pet was a long-time patient or one with whom a team member had formed a special bond.
FEWER SHELTER DEATHS
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “Approximately 607,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2024, decreasing by approximately 2% compared to 2023. In the past five years, euthanasia rates have dropped from 13% in 2019 to 8% in 2024.”