About Dr. Dolian
I was born and raised in Idaho and graduated from veterinary school at Washington State University in 2011. I moved to Texas in 2012 and have been practicing in Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 10 years. I enjoy practicing medicine in a clinical setting; however, I have seen how different the experience of letting go of a pet can be at home versus at a clinic or hospital. In a hospital the pet is often taken away from the owners for an intravenous catheter to be places and this can be difficult for owners and stressful for the pet. In a clinic things can also feel so rushed and impersonal and the pet may be nervous or afraid just being there. At home it is very different and this is why I changed to providing this service.
The Gift of In-Home Euthanasia
When I was losing my cat, Sophie, my companion of 17 years, it was agonizing. When she reached the point where I realized that as a veterinarian I could do nothing more to ease her suffering, I was heartbroken. Despite knowing medically what she was going through, it was extremely difficult to move forward with letting her go. I spoke to several of my colleagues, and they and I all came to the same conclusion that it was her time and the most loving thing I could do for her was to let her go and end her suffering. However, even knowing this in my heart did not ease my pain with following through with the decision to euthanize Sophie.
She always hated coming into the clinic with me, and I dreaded doing her euthanasia there and putting her through the anxiety of driving and being at the clinic. So, I ended up sedating her heavily at my own home while she relaxed on my lap outside in the sun, in her favorite spot, with me petting her and holding her close. It was so peaceful and loving, and she experienced no stress. I believe she only felt my love for her in those final moments and that she would not have been able to feel this way in a clinic.
When she was completely asleep and unaware of her surroundings, I drove her to the clinic, where I worked at that time, and my colleague performed the final injection to euthanize her. I was so grateful to be able to give Sophie the gift of a goodbye in her home surrounded by what was familiar and comfortable to her.
At that time, I realized what a gift the service of in-home euthanasia can be for our pets. To be able to provide this service in their home where they feel so loved and everything is familiar, with no association of fear or anxiety, is a tremendous gift. Many veterinarians prefer to euthanize their own pets at home and not at their own clinic for this same reason. I feel this service should be offered to everyone who is considering euthanasia. This is why I began performing in-home euthanasia services. I care deeply about people and the bond they have with their pets. I want to help ease the suffering of their pets and help families say goodbye in a loving and caring manner.
Choosing Compassionate In-Home Pet Euthanasia Care
I believe in compassionate care for our pets and their families. Compassion is an action that comes from the heart and is expressed in the way you care for others. Compassionate care helps to support families who are suffering and going through this very difficult end-of-life experience with their pets.
Choosing when to let go of your beloved pet can be so hard. It is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through in life. While there is no perfect day to do this, there is a time when it is the most loving thing you can do for your pet.
While I cannot take away the pain you are feeling around the loss of your loved one, I can be there to help ease you through letting go.
In-home euthanasia centered around the needs of you and your loved ones can help to ease this transition for your pet and for your family. Each family that I work with is different and their experience is personalized to their needs. I believe performing euthanasia in a home or at a location with which the pet is familiar while being surrounded by their loved ones can greatly minimize their anxiety. This is why I recommended euthanasia be done at home when I practiced at a clinic and why I now offer it as a service.