End of Life Care

Summit Veterinary Care is honored to help your pet cross the rainbow bridge with dignity in our dedicated Rainbow Room, surrounded by comfort and peace.

Palliative
Care

Our dedicated team is committed to providing comfort and support during challenging moments. If your pet requires specialized palliative care, Summit Veterinary Care is here to offer our expertise. We understand the importance of maintaining your pet’s quality of life, and we are ready to assist you with the personalized and compassionate care your beloved companion deserves.

End of Life
Care

Our team offers compassionate and comforting euthanasia in our dedicated Rainbow Room – ensuring that your pet’s final moments are peaceful and surrounded by familiar comforts of home such as a comfortable couch, dim lighting, orthopedic beds, blankets, and as many treats as they could desire. Your pet’s comfort and your peace of mind are our top priorities during this most difficult time.

Grief
Support

Grief looks different for everyone. There are support groups and hotlines to help you through this tough time. Below are links for resources to help with grief.

Agape Pet
Services

Summit Veterinary Care’s team works closely with Agape Pet Services to ensure your pet is taken care of properly. Agape Pet Services offers a wide variety of urns, keepsakes, memorials and coping resources. Click the button below to learn more about the services Agape offers.

End Of Life Care FAQ’s

Emotions during the end of your pet’s life can be overwhelming. Being prepared for the final stages can be one of the best ways to deal with this anticipated grief, and help your pet.

As a loving pet owner, you know your pet better than anyone and will notice when they are not acting like themselves. While each pet’s experience is different, there are similar patterns of behavior that may mean the end is close. If you find yourself asking “Is it time?”, you should monitor your pet’s behavior for these five common signs:
  • Loss of Interest
  • Extreme Fatigue or Loss of Energy
  • Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Labored Breathing
Please reach out to us at 571-248-1175 to discuss if you are unsure.

When you arrive, we will escort you to our Rainbow Room to get you and your pet comfortable. The front desk staff lights our memorial candles to indicate to other clients to be respectful and quiet as they navigate the building. One of our team members will come to the room to discuss the procedure, options, and complete paperwork. Once that is complete, the doctor will administer a light sedative to help your pet relax. We will also place an IV catheter to give the doctor access to administer the medications. Once you are ready, the doctor will talk you through what they are administering and advise you when your pet has passed. You have as much time as you’d like to spend with them before and after the procedure.

The first step in dealing with your loss is to allow yourself to grieve. You didn’t lose “just an animal.” This animal was special because they were a member of your family, and research has found that the loss of a pet is just as painful as the loss of a human. The grief process is the same.

When you’re determining how to deal with the death of a pet, it’s important to understand that everyone grieves differently. People all go through a process to help them deal with and release the hurt, and everyone has their own timetable to complete that process.

Over 87 percent of pet owners experience at least one symptom of grief after losing a pet. After six months, about 35 percent of people still experienced grief over their pet’s loss. Even a year after the loss, over 22 percent were still experiencing grief. Don’t rush yourself through the process. Heal at your own pace.