Our Blog
A Comfort Care Approach for Your Senior Dog: Pain Management & Aging Support
As your beloved dog enters their golden years, you may begin to notice subtle changes: slower walks, more naps, or moments of confusion. Are these signs of normal aging, or is your companion in discomfort? This guide to comfort care for senior dogs will help you...
Enhancing Quality of Life: Benefits of Integrative Comfort Care for Cats
As cats age, they may experience discomfort from arthritis, cognitive decline, or other chronic conditions. Because cats instinctively hide pain, it can be difficult to recognize when they need help. Veterinary comfort care assessments focus on comfort and quality of...
Spring Safety Advice for Senior Pets in Virginia Beach
Spring brings thoughts of blooming gardens, walks in the rain, and evenings on the patio. As springtime approaches in Virginia Beach and you do a spring cleaning of your home and garden, it's also a great time to get your pet springtime-ready. While most younger pets...
Understanding and Preventing Heartworm Disease in Pets
What is Heartworm Disease?Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition affecting pets of all ages, especially dogs and cats. April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn about and take action against this disease. It...
10 Proven Ways Pets Improve Mental Health: Science-Backed Benefits
In a world where stress, anxiety, and depression have become common issues, pet ownership has emerged as a beacon of hope for many. Pets, particularly dogs and cats, have been shown to provide significant mental health benefits. This blog explores 10 evidence-based...
How to Help a Friend Say Goodbye to a Beloved Pet
Losing a pet is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a person can go through. For many, pets are family—providing unconditional love, companionship, and years of cherished memories. If you have a friend or family member who is preparing to say goodbye to their...
How to Help a Friend Say Goodbye to a Beloved Pet
Losing a pet is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a person can go through. For many, pets are family—providing unconditional love, companionship, and years of cherished memories. If you have a friend or family member who is preparing to say goodbye to their...
Tips to Prepare for Your In-Home Pet Euthanasia Appointment
We know going through the process of scheduling an in-home euthanasia appointment for your beloved pet can be incredibly emotional and challenging. To help make this experience as smooth and comforting as possible for both you and your pet, here are some tips from the...
A Beacon of Compassion: The Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice Client Care Team
Written by Dr. Chelsea McGivney, Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice General ManagerAt Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, we understand that making end-of-life care decisions for your beloved pet is deeply emotional and often overwhelming. Our compassionate Client Care...
Which of These 5 Love Languages Does Your Pet Speak? How You Can Show Them Love
Ever wonder why your pet follows you everywhere, gets extra excited over new toys, or demands belly rubs at all times? Just like humans, pets have their own unique way of expressing and receiving love! While they may not use words, they communicate their affection...
Why I’m Thankful to be an End-of-Life Care Veterinarian
Written by Dr. Mindy Brewster, Caring Pathways Colorado Veterinarian“You Have the Worst Job in the World” This statement still catches me off guard because of how much space there is between the sentiment and how I actually feel about my work as a hospice...
Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice: Our Team Approach to End-of-Life Pet Care
Written by Dr. Chelsea McGivney (General Manager) and Dr. Megan Coveyou (CO Lead Veterinarian)We believe that the end of a pet's life is one of the most sacred and significant moments in their journey. Our mission is to ensure that pets and their families receive the...
Understanding Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: Advice from a Veterinarian
Written by Dr. Mavi Graves, Caring Pathways Veterinarian in Fort Collins, COA few years ago, I had a euthanasia appointment scheduled for a 14-year-old poodle mix named Sadie. Like many geriatric dogs, Sadie had not seen her regular vet in many years and did not have...
Exploring The Human-Animal Bond: Jason and Annabelle
Written by Dr. Gina Singleton, Caring Pathways Veterinarian in Fort Collins, COThe bond between humans and their pets is one of the most profound connections in life. At Caring Pathways, we often witness the depth of this bond during some of the most challenging...
How to Know When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your Pet: The Perfect Goodbye
So often in my work as an end-of-life care veterinarian, I bear witness to pet owners grappling with the decision to euthanize their pet. They express that, more than anything, they want to get the timing right. They don’t want their pet to suffer, and they also don’t...
The Mystery of Death: Insights into Your Pet’s Last Moments
“Death ends a life, not a relationship” - Mitch Albom What happens when we die is one of life’s great mysteries and something that affects us all sooner or later. When it comes time to think about how a beloved pet will die - and what will happen before, during, and...
Our Commitment to Supporting the Morris Animal Foundation
Did you know that Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice donates monthly to support the Morris Animal Foundation? The Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. This year we have committed to sponsoring two Morris...
Saying Goodbye: Honor Your Pet’s Legacy with Dignity and Love
No matter how long your beloved dog or cat has been in your life, it never feels long enough when the time comes to say goodbye. The heartbreak of losing a family member cannot be denied, but there are ways to honor your pet’s legacy with dignity and love and help...
Creating a Bucket List for Your Beloved Pet
Bucket lists can be a powerful tool to celebrate a beloved pet and create positive memories during what can otherwise be a sad and anxious time. It can also provide a sense of control and help families feel that while it’s not possible to cure their pet’s disease or...
My Dog was Diagnosed with a Nasal Tumor, Now What?
Written by Dr. Mindy Brewster, Caring Pathways VeterinarianUnderstanding Nasal Tumors:For pet owners facing the heart-wrenching reality of having a beloved pet diagnosed with nasal cancer, the journey likely seems daunting. Nasal cancer results from the uncontrolled...
Assessing your pet’s quality of life
Facing the end of your pet’s life is challenging at best, but more likely, heartbreaking. It feels impossible to separate your desire to not allow them to suffer with your own grief of losing them. You know that you do not want them to be in pain but also cannot...
A Helpful Guide to Compassionate Veterinary Telehealth Services
For pet parents, our beloved companions are cherished members of our families, offering unwavering love and friendship. However, as pets age, they may encounter health challenges, which can be emotionally and logistically overwhelming. Fortunately, advancements in...
The Value of At-Home End-of-Life Care for Military Families’ Furry Companions
In the life of a military family, the concept of home often transcends physical spaces, becoming a tapestry of memories shared with those who provide comfort and companionship during times of constant change. Among these steadfast companions, pets hold a special...
Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats
Puddles of Pee, Roast Chicken and Pound Cake: My First Experience with Chronic Kidney Disease.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is something we most often associate with elderly cats, but it can affect dogs too, and sometimes in a younger pet. It is a progressive,...
Common Misconceptions about Hospice and Palliative Care for Pets
Our beloved pets are important parts of our families. Witnessing our pets' age, or having to face a terminal illness can be one of the most challenging aspects of being pet people. In such situations, hospice and palliative care can provide comfort, support, and peace...
Is a natural death or euthanasia better for your pet?
As a home hospice and euthanasia veterinarian, something I frequently hear from grieving pet parents is, “I was hoping she’d just die peacefully in her sleep”. We all hope for that. I think that’s the way any of us - dog, cat, human, or otherwise - would like to go,...
Navigating Pet Care’s Impact on Your Quality of Life
Written by Dr. Gina Singleton, Caring Pathways Veterinarian in Fort Collins, COIn this article, we'll explore the importance of considering your own quality of life when making end-of-life care decisions for your pet. At Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, we understand...
What to Expect with In-Home End-of-Life Veterinary Care
Being the caregiver of a geriatric pet, or one who has received a life-limiting diagnosis can be difficult and scary. Challenges associated with caring for your special family member, adapting schedules to meet their needs, and fear of the unknown can all lead to...
New Year’s Resolutions and Your Pet: Starting the Year on the Right Paw
As New Year's Day approaches, our thoughts turn to making the upcoming year even better than the last. While our pets are perfect just as they are, here are some ideas to ensure they start the new year with their best paw forward.ID CheckTake a moment to check your...
Senior Cat Gift Ideas for 2023
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to celebrate our beloved senior cats with thoughtful and comforting gifts. Aging cats deserve extra love and care, and choosing the right gifts can make a world of difference in their comfort and happiness. We’ve compiled a...