The Animal Hospice End of Life Project (AHELP) will present an “Intro to Animal Hospice and In-Home Caregiving” workshop from 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 at the Kirkland Women’s Club, 407 First St., Kirkland. This is the first in a series of in-home caregiving and hospice awareness events upon which all their later workshops, in-services and continuing education will be based. Through these productions they will present the many options for in-home care of their animal friend when treatment shifts from cure to comfort.
The event features several speakers and is open to the public. The focus will be on maximizing quality of life for our animal friends and their people after diagnosis of a life limiting condition. The AHELP message is directed to families with chronically ill, geriatric, or special needs pets with increased daily levels of caregiving, and as well as for veterinarians and their support staff.
This workshop will be moderated by Michelle Nichols of Partners to the Bridge, who will emphasize quality of life as families care for their animal companions, and touch upon the preparation that will be most likely to lead to a peaceful farewell either through a planned euthanasia or a natural death. The topics featured on the speakers’ panel will be: “Defining the Hospice Model,” Carol Soukup, RN, Partners to the Bridge; “Overcoming Obstacles to Compassionate Care,” Dr. Carl Bello, DVM, MA; “Honoring the Bond: Experiences with Home Euthanasia and Natural Death,” Dr. Tina Ellenbogen, DVM; “Honoring Their Memory: Remembrance and Memorializing,” Diane Dyer, Celebrant. Soon to be confirmed will be a holistic veterinarian discussing complementary treatments that serve as adjunct to promote well-being in end-of-life.
There will also be a pet owners’ panel to discuss with the participants experiences with their animals in end-of-life.
One of the AHELP goals is to build a community of individuals who are like-minded with regard to supporting animals with special needs in end-of-life, with the availability of excellent pain control and in the absence of suffering. Thus, there will be many unique opportunities for families to network with others who could support them and their animal friend during this challenging, rewarding and memorable time. Door prizes have been contributed by local businesses such as All the Best, Dooley’s Doghouse, and Metropolitan Market. To register, donate to the AHELP mission to provide this and future events, or to learn more about how to become involved with our AHELP community, contact Michelle Nichols, 425-223-5722. Registration is $36.
