It’s All About Love at the End of a Pet’s Life
End-of-life care at home is an expanding area in veterinary medicine. In Vermont, only a few veterinarians provide at-home euthanasia for pets, and among them, only two primarily focus on end-of-life care. Dr. Erika Bruner, based in Berlin, is one of these dedicated professionals.
Erica Heilman from Vermont Public spent a day with Dr. Bruner, including accompanying her on a house call in Johnson. This interview was originally produced for audio, and listening to it is highly recommended. Below is an edited transcript for length and clarity.
Erica Heilman: Dr. Bruner practiced general veterinary medicine for 16 years. For the past seven years, she has specialized in end-of-life care, making house calls to euthanize pets. She meets people and their pets wherever they feel most comfortableโin homes, fields, or barns. It’s a deeply intimate and delicate job, centered around love.
Dr. Erika Bruner: Itโs really sad and difficult work. Thereโs a lot of guilt involved. People often feel they might have waited too long or worry they haven’t waited long enough.
Thereโs this illusion that we can determine the perfect moment for euthanasia. Often, we donโt have a specific diagnosis, especially with older animals, and people donโt want to put them through extensive testing. They feel guilty, thinking maybe they should be doing more.
People struggle with their limitations in caring for or affording care for their pets. However, Iโve never seen anyone make the decision to euthanize without deeply considering it. The fundamental concern is always the petโs quality of life and comfort.
Mike Patch: Weโve had a better day today because weโve been giving her treats all day. She usually doesnโt get this many. But sheโs not happy anymore.
Erica Heilman: Mike Patch introduced us to Kona, a 13-and-a-half-year-old yellow lab. Handmade dog beds lined the wall with a view of the drivewayโKonaโs hangout spot. Mike pointed out paintings of his past and present dogs: Jessica, Enzo, Kona.
Courtesy of Lisa Patch
Mike Patch: Do you want her to get up on her bed? I can get you a chair to make it easier for you, maโam.
Dr. Erika Bruner: The first thing is to reassure them that their decision is okay. I explain whatโs going to happen and how it will happen so they know it will be as peaceful as possible.
Dr. Erika Bruner: The first injection is a sedation shot in the muscle of her leg. It might sting a bit, but weโll distract her with petting and talking. It wonโt be the last thing sheโs aware of.
Mike Patch: Weโve been through this before, and I believe no animal should suffer. I just donโt believe in it.
Mike Patch (to Kona): Youโre okay. โGot tumors on my eyes now.โ Yeah, we donโt want you to suffer anymore.
Mike Patch: Thank you for doing this. I know I paid you, but thank you anyway.
Dr. Erika Bruner: Sometimes people share a lot during the appointment, and sometimes they can barely speak. Iโm very aware that this is a pivotal moment in their life with that pet because itโs the end of their petโs life.
Mike Patch: Years ago, we started a habit of bringing them something whenever we went out. If we came back without anything, she would whine like a kid.
Dr. Erika Bruner: Theyโve trained us well. (Laughter).
Mike Patch: Oh, yes. When she passed gas, sheโd look around for someone else to blame. Have you ever seen a dog do that?
Dr. Erika Bruner: Yes.
Mike Patch: Sheโd look at her mother, like, โI didnโt do it!โ But you could tell.
Mike Patch (to Kona): Whoโs a good girl? Whoโs a spoiled brat? Yes, you are.
Dr. Erika Bruner: Pets have been through a lot with their owners. People often say, โHe helped me through my cancer treatment,โ or โShe was there for my difficult divorce.โ
With people, itโs complicated. Talking sometimes doesnโt help us understand each other. (Laughter). We’re always trying to figure out what the other person wants.
End-of-life care for pets is all about love, comfort, and understanding. Dr. Brunerโs work exemplifies this compassion, helping pets and their owners through one of the hardest parts of their journey together.