Supporting Senior Pets, Their Families and Yourself through Euthanasia

Meg Richards | SPC2026

50 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Navigating Goodbye' : Veterinary professionals play a vital role in every stage of a patient’s life—from those first puppy and kitten visits, through routine health checks, to supporting them in their senior years and, ultimately, guiding them through end-of-life care. While this journey is deeply rewarding, it can also be one of the most emotionally challenging aspects of veterinary practice. Providing a compassionate and supportive euthanasia service requires balancing clinical responsibility with empathy, while also managing the emotional impact on ourselves and our colleagues. This presentation will explore the veterinary team’s role in caring for senior patients at the end of life. We will discuss how to conduct effective pre-euthanasia appointments, support clients with empathy throughout the process and in the aftermath and implement strategies to safeguard our own wellbeing and that of our colleagues during these difficult but profoundly important moments.