When Laura Bacon's beloved dog Sydney got sick and passed away she used this experience as a way to help others.
The Veterinarian started a local Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice here in Tennessee.
Dr. Bacon has been helping people in the Knoxville area for a little while now.
It is important for Dr. Bacon to help others in these final life decisions for their pets. "Everyone hopes that when their time comes they can pass or their pet can pass quietly in their sleep and help the pets at home" say Dr. Bacon.
One client who used the service for her cat was Amy Lay. When I asked her about the cat that had passed away she said, "She was my Grandmothers cat and I inherited her, she was my Grandmothers best friend in the world." So when Sophye got sick she wanted the cat to be able to keep staring at the window at birds and not have to make the trips to offices, "cats don't travel well."
So she got in touch with Dr. Bacon and the cat lived her time out at home. Now Amy has a few more animals that can use Laura's help. Her dogs have gotten older and the day that we were there Dr. bacon was giving then all a once over, figuring out what the Lay family should do.
In home hospice and veterinary care is on the rise. Dr. bacon is very adamant that she works with other vets in the area and wants people to know about the "network of professionals in East Tennessee" that can help people deal with the grief of losing a pet.
As with anything, these are choices each person must make for their family and their pets.
Amy says she is at "peace because she was at peace" watching the birds through the window until the end.