Though veterinarians try, not every animal can be saved, even with the most advanced medical intervention. In those cases, giving the animal peace is the last, best decision a pet owner can make.
With that in mind, Dr. Anne Holloway, a 2011 MSU veterinary medicine graduate, established Graceful Journey, an in-home service designed to help pets pass peacefully and comfortably in the familiar loving environment of their homes.
“I realized we can do better for our pets by having them not be stressed in their last few moments of life,” she said.
A native of Lake Jackson, Texas, Holloway spent 13 years in general veterinary practice in Mississippi and Texas, but said she came to realize she could do more for her patients and their families by providing a niche service: at-home euthanasia services for cats and dogs.
Though her decision to change career paths was recent, she said the importance of compassionate care was something she learned during her time at Mississippi State, where she witnessed first-hand the College of Veterinary Medicine’s emphasis on comfort and compassion.
“Even then, in-home euthanasia and even comfort rooms were relatively new,” she said. “But, MSU faculty really put a huge emphasis on comfort. They set up a special room for end-of-life. They did their best to make it as home-like as possible. That really spurred this idea for me.”
Dr. Tracy Jaffe, an MSU assistant clinical professor, said the practice of in-home euthanasia makes a difference for all involved. It’s something she’s experienced from the perspective of both a pet owner and the veterinarian performing the end-of-life service.
“It’s much less stressful for both the pet and the pet owner not to have to travel to an animal hospital,” Jaffe said, “Putting a pet to sleep is such an emotionally difficult decision to make, and we should attempt to make the pet’s transition as relaxed and as comfortable as possible. Permitting a pet to spend its final moments at home, in a private setting that feels safe and familiar, helps make the process more peaceful for all involved.”
While Holloway admits she never would have envisioned this career path as a student—and certainly not as the 5-year-old who dreamed of caring for animals—she says she now can’t imagine not providing this much needed care to animals suffering from incurable illness.
“Owners are so appreciative,” Holloway said. “It can be sad, but being there and seeing the bond between pets and their owners, knowing that we’re doing what’s best for the animal, makes it worth it.
“It’s a blessing to end suffering and a huge honor to come into these pet owners’ homes,” she continued. “They know I have the best intentions and see it as a blessing to end whatever suffering their pet is going through.”
