Euthanasia is the second highest most performed procedure in practice and over 80% of pets will end their life in this way

How we deal with end-of-life is a very true test of our commitment to best clinical practice as well as best client support. Sadly most vets appear to have had no formal training on euthanasia and it is at this time we find we can be lost for words and feel reluctant to engage with the grieving pet owner. 

End-of-life care with compassion and understanding

Compassion Understood has communicated with hundreds of bereaved pet owners, and veterinary professionals about end-of-life. We’ve found that many working in practice feel that they deliver a good service; they receive flowers and thankyous, handle things sympathetically and always try to send a condolence card. Sadly though, this isn’t universal and owners feel the care of their pet, and themselves, is not consistent and there’s room for improvement.

• 46% of vets discuss end-of-life care with pet owners on more than 11 occasions per month
• 70% of vets felt further training in pet loss would be beneficial
• 20 to 25% of pet owners change vets after pet bereavement

Learn how to communicate sensitively and knowledgably

At Compassion Understood, we believe that an informed, evidence-based, and standardised approach to end-of-life care is needed. Through our online training framework, we help the practice formulate policies around end-of-life care, as well as empower members of the practice team to communicate sensitively and knowledgably with their clients.
Our aim is to give the whole practice team control, consistency and the skills to create the authentic compassion that needs to be shown to clients at this most distressing time. 

Recent Course Feedback - Don't just take our word for it!

'' As a practice we have all just completed the Compassion Understood course and become a Platinum practice. I cannot recommend this course highly enough as it is very informative and gives the clients perspective which is very important. It must be working as most of the 5* reviews on our Facebook page come from sad times when we have had to put a client’s pet to sleep. There are lots of very useful downloads to do with the clients journey and planning euthanasia appointments. '' - Tracey Kitchener, Practice Manager, Vets4Pets Scunthorpe

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