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Leadership in Veterinary End-of-Life Care

Caring Pathways clinicians and leaders are helping shape the future of veterinary hospice, palliative care, in-home euthanasia, grief support, and professional wellness through publications, speaking, media features, and professional education.

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Contributing to the Future of Veterinary End-of-Life Care

At Caring Pathways, our work extends beyond direct patient and family support. Our clinicians and leaders contribute to the veterinary profession through writing, speaking, interviews, media features, and professional education focused on hospice, palliative care, in-home euthanasia, grief support, and team wellbeing.

This page highlights the ways our team is helping expand understanding, strengthen clinical conversations, and support the future of compassionate end-of-life care across the profession.

Featured Insights & Appearances

A selection of recent work from Caring Pathways leaders, chosen for its impact on how the veterinary profession approaches hospice, palliative care, and end-of-life medicine.

Featured Cover Story

dvm360

January/February 2026 Issue

Caring Pathways hosts veterinary students through its own clinical rotation and externship programs.

Clinical Rotations for End-of-Life Care

Most veterinary students graduate with little formal training in euthanasia or end-of-life communication. In this cover story, Dr. Carmack makes the case that hospice and palliative care rotations build lasting skills in pain management, difficult conversations, and clinician resilience, and shares what students learned during an in-home hospice externship.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack · Director of Hospice and Palliative Care

Read the Cover StoryView Print Edition (PDF)

Veterinary student? Learn about our Clinical Rotation and Student Externship programs.

Shaping the Specialty

AAHA Trends · May 2026

A New Chapter: The American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine

An introduction to the proposed specialty college that would give veterinary hospice and palliative medicine formal board recognition, and what that means for patients, families, and the profession.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney and Dr. Tyler Carmack, with Coleen Ellis of IAAHPC

Companion piece: A Profession Comes Full Circle

Read Feature

Clinical Expertise

AAHA Trends · Aug 2026

Crisis-Proofing Pain Management in Hospice and Palliative Care

How teams can prepare families for predictable pain flares with caregiver pain scoring, stepwise medication plans, written flare protocols, and at-home emergency kits.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

Read Feature

Practice Leadership

Veterinary Practice News · Sep 2026

Building Trust Around Costs

Why conversations about pet insurance, payment options, and financial planning belong in routine visits, long before a costly estimate, and how to keep that language consistent across the team.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Browse all 33 published articles ↓

Publications Library

Published Articles

Browse articles our clinicians and leaders have written for dvm360, AAHA Trends, and Veterinary Practice News on hospice and palliative care, pain management, senior pet care, grief support, and the future of the profession. Use the filters to find a topic or author, or choose Quick View for a short summary.

Veterinary Practice News·

Building Trust Around Costs

Why conversations about pet insurance, payment options, and financial planning belong early in care, long before a costly estimate is on the table.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney makes the case for raising pet insurance, payment options, and financial planning during routine visits rather than at the moment of a major treatment estimate. She offers guidance on neutral language, third-party financing considerations, and consistent team-wide communication that protects client trust and access to care.

DVM360·

Five Practical Pain Management Tools in Hospice Care

Five tools that work together in hospice and palliative patients, from prescribed gentle movement to emergency medication kits.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack walks through five pain management approaches used in hospice and palliative care: prescribed gentle movement, PEMF therapy, acetaminophen as an adjunct (with an important warning for cats), subanesthetic ketamine for central sensitization, and emergency medication kits. He explains how these tools are combined with each other and with foundational treatments such as NSAIDs.

Veterinary Practice News·

A Look at Ketamine as a Palliative Care Tool

How subanesthetic ketamine can help hospice patients with refractory pain and central sensitization, in the hospital or at home.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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This article examines subanesthetic ketamine as a palliative care tool, explaining how its NMDA receptor activity may address central sensitization in patients whose pain no longer responds to standard therapy. Dr. Carmack reviews supporting research in dogs and cats, practical administration routes for hospital and home settings, and safety and client communication considerations.

AAHA Trends·

Crisis-Proofing Pain Management in Hospice and Palliative Care

Preparing families for predictable pain flares with caregiver scoring, stepwise escalation plans, and written flare protocols.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

Read Article
Dr. Carmack explains how veterinary teams can prepare for predictable pain flares in hospice patients by using caregiver-completed pain and quality-of-life scores, teaching owners a stepwise medication escalation plan, and writing flare protocols in advance. The article also covers at-home emergency medication kits and how state controlled-substance rules shape them.

Veterinary Practice News·

Palliative Approaches to Chronic Pain

A comfort-first approach to osteoarthritis in older dogs and cats, focused on daily function rather than cure.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Focusing on older dogs and cats with osteoarthritis, this article lays out a palliative approach that prioritizes comfort and daily function. Dr. Carmack covers multimodal medication options, integrative therapies, exercise and weight management, home modifications, flare planning, and preparing families for end-of-life decisions.

DVM360·

Keeping Senior Pets Hydrated and Comfortable All Summer Long

Why aging dogs and cats are vulnerable in hot weather, and practical hydration strategies teams can recommend.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney explains why aging dogs and cats are especially vulnerable to dehydration in hot weather, from chronic disease and medications to cats' naturally low thirst drive. She outlines practical recommendations such as multiple water sources, fountains, moisture-rich food, and hydration-support products, along with heat-safety guidance and warning signs to watch for.

AAHA Trends·Featured Expert

Normalizing Grief: How Veterinary Professionals Can Support Grieving Pet Parents

Caring Pathways leaders share how veterinary teams can support families before, during, and after the loss of a pet.

Featuring Dr. Tyler Carmack and Dr. Chelsea McGivney

Read Article
This AAHA Trends feature explores why pet loss grief can be so intense and isolating, with insight from Dr. Carmack and Dr. McGivney. It covers preparatory conversations, quality-of-life tools, anticipatory grief, compassionate euthanasia and aftercare, follow-up communication, and referral resources teams can share with grieving clients.

AAHA Trends·

A New Chapter: The American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine

An introduction to the proposed specialty college for veterinary hospice and palliative medicine and what it means for the profession.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney and Dr. Tyler Carmack, with Coleen Ellis

Read Article
This article announces the proposed American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine, a Recognized Veterinary Specialty Organization seeking approval from the American Board of Veterinary Specialties and the AVMA. It outlines the college's clinical scope and why formal specialty recognition matters for patients, families, and the profession.

AAHA Trends·

Veterinary Hospice and End-of-Life Care: A Profession Comes Full Circle

Tracing veterinary hospice from its roots in human hospice philosophy to today's accreditation and in-home care models.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney and Dr. Tyler Carmack, with Coleen Ellis

Read Article
This article traces the development of veterinary hospice and palliative care, from its roots in human hospice philosophy through the founding of IAAHPC, the creation of guidelines, and AAHA's End-of-Life Care accreditation. It also examines the growth of in-home and hospice-focused practices, the shift toward comfort-centered interdisciplinary care, and the ongoing shortage of trained providers.

DVM360·

Supporting Clients Through Pet Loss: Compassionate Strategies for Veterinary Teams

Understanding guilt, anticipatory grief, and disenfranchised grief, and how teams can support families at the end of life.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney and Mandi Browning

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This article explores the emotional complexity of pet loss, including guilt, anticipatory grief, and disenfranchised grief, and when clients may benefit from referral to a grief or mental health professional. It offers practical guidance for supporting families through euthanasia appointments and aftercare, and acknowledges the support team members need after repeated patient loss.

Veterinary Practice News·

Renting Lasers to Geriatric Pet Owners Can Boost Compliance

A program model for home laser rentals that keeps photobiomodulation going between clinic visits.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack proposes that practices rent home laser devices to geriatric pet owners so photobiomodulation can continue between clinic visits. He compares higher-power in-clinic lasers with lower-power home devices on safety and treatment frequency, and offers a framework for designing a rental program.

DVM360·

Canine Fitness Month: Keeping Senior Dogs Strong, Stable, and Engaged

Fitness for senior dogs is about mobility, comfort, and engagement, not performance.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack argues that fitness for senior dogs should focus on preserving mobility, comfort, and mental engagement rather than performance. The article covers frailty monitoring, prescribed strength and balance exercises, early pain management with non-drug options, and mental enrichment strategies.

AAHA Trends·

Connection by Design: Supporting Veterinary Teams in a Remote World

How intentional connection, communication, and leadership support veterinary teams working in the field.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

Read Feature
Dr. McGivney shares how Caring Pathways keeps a multi-state, field-based team connected through daily messaging habits, shared status updates, regular check-ins, and recognition practices. She also highlights how shared values and optional social events help dispersed clinicians and staff feel valued and included.

DVM360·

Honoring K-9 Veterans

Caring for retired military and working dogs, and their handlers, through aging, end of life, and grief.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Written for K-9 Veterans Day, this article reviews the history of military and working dogs and the joint, pain, and cognitive problems they often develop with age. Dr. McGivney examines how veterinary teams, in-home hospice providers, and families can support retired working dogs and their handlers through end-of-life care and grief.

DVM360·

In-Home Euthanasia for Exotic Pets

Clinical considerations and emotional nuance in end-of-life care for birds and small mammals at home.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack explains why in-home euthanasia can benefit birds and small mammals by reducing the stress of transport and unfamiliar settings. He covers species-specific clinical considerations, caregiver communication, and how these services differ from those for dogs and cats.

DVM360·

Where Will 2026 Take You? Exploring End-of-Life Care as a Career Path

End-of-life care as a meaningful, evolving career path for veterinarians looking beyond general practice or ER.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney describes veterinary end-of-life care, including hospice, palliative care, in-home euthanasia, and family support, as a career option for veterinarians seeking an alternative to general practice or emergency medicine. She discusses the appeal of a slower pace and deeper client relationships, the traits suited to the work, and ways to explore the transition.
Cover Story

DVM360·

Clinical Rotations for End-of-Life Care

The January/February cover story on how hospice rotations prepare veterinarians for end-of-life care and communication.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

Read Article
In this dvm360 January/February cover story, Dr. Carmack argues that clinical rotations in hospice and palliative care build skills in pain management, end-of-life communication, and clinician resilience that carry into every type of practice. The article cites survey findings on limited euthanasia training in veterinary schools and shares student accounts from an in-home hospice externship.

DVM360·

Strategic Design of Geriatric Pet Programs in Veterinary Practice: Part 2

Building geriatric programs around physiologic age, frailty assessment, caregiver training, and end-of-life pre-planning.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

Read Article
Part 2 shows how practices can build geriatric programs around physiologic age, frailty assessments, and comprehensive geriatric assessments rather than age alone. Dr. Carmack covers caregiver education, home-care training, support for the human-animal bond, end-of-life pre-planning, financial structuring, and implementation.

DVM360·

Strategic Design of Geriatric Pet Programs in Veterinary Practice: Part 1

Practices plan carefully for puppies and kittens. This series makes the case for doing the same for senior pets.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

Read Article
Part 1 notes that practices often have structured programs for puppies and kittens but few for senior pets, leaving families and teams unprepared at the end of life. Dr. Carmack outlines a geriatric program framework that goes beyond wellness plans, with bundled services, referral networks, client education, hands-on training, and early pre-planning.

DVM360·

Elevating End-of-Life Care

What AAHA's End-of-Life Care accreditation means, and what Caring Pathways learned as an early accredited provider.

By Margaret Spalletta and Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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This article explains how AAHA's End-of-Life Care specialty accreditation sets standards for hospice, palliative care, and euthanasia, and what practices must do to pursue it. It shares the perspective of Caring Pathways as an early accredited provider and offers practical ideas for improving end-of-life care in general practice.

DVM360·

Honoring the Human-Animal Bond: National Pet Memorial Day

How remembrance supports healthy grieving for families and resilience for veterinary teams.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney reflects on National Pet Memorial Day as a time for families and veterinary teams to remember the pets they have lost. She describes the memorial events Caring Pathways hosted across several states, explains how remembrance supports healthy grieving and team resilience, and encourages other practices to mark the day with their clients.

DVM360·

Raising the Standard: Arthritis Awareness in Veterinary Practice

Osteoarthritis is common and often missed. Here's how teams can recognize it sooner and educate clients.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack describes osteoarthritis as a common but often unrecognized condition in dogs and cats, and encourages teams to routinely assess mobility and teach clients the early warning signs. He also highlights two educational resources, Canine Arthritis Management and Canine Arthritis Resources and Education, that support both professionals and caregivers.

DVM360·Podcast

Leveling Up End-of-Life Care: Excellence, Compassion, and the Future of Veterinary Hospice

A Vet Blast Podcast conversation on hospice referrals, caregiver strain, and the future of end-of-life care.

Featuring Dr. Chelsea McGivney and Dr. Tyler Carmack

Listen to the Podcast
On The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Dr. Adam Christman talks with Dr. McGivney and Dr. Carmack about end-of-life care for pets and ways to make the process easier for families and patients. The conversation covers referrals to end-of-life specialists, the strain caregiving can place on the human-animal bond, and the need for more geriatric pet education.

DVM360·

Home Hacks for Geriatric Dogs and Cats

Simple home modifications teams can recommend to keep aging pets safe, comfortable, and independent.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack shares practical home modifications veterinary teams can recommend to owners of aging dogs and cats. Suggestions include non-slip surfaces, accessible feeding and bathroom areas, ramps and supportive bedding, temperature and lighting adjustments, calm spaces, and organized storage for supplies and medications.

DVM360·

How Pursuing a CHPV Certification Can Benefit Veterinary Teams

How hospice and palliative care certification helps GP, urgent care, and ER teams meet growing demand.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack explains how earning the Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian credential can help general practice, urgent care, and emergency veterinarians meet growing client demand for end-of-life support. He outlines potential gains in communication skills, comfort-focused treatment, job satisfaction, and practice revenue.

DVM360·

Advancing Compassion and Science

Inside the partnership between Caring Pathways and Morris Animal Foundation's Golden Retriever Lifetime Study.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney and Dr. Kelly Diehl

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This article covers the partnership between Caring Pathways and Morris Animal Foundation, including Caring Pathways' financial support and advisory services for the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. It also describes the study's history, its ongoing research into cancer and other disease risk factors, and educational webinars for enrolled owners.

DVM360·

Understanding Anticipatory Grief in Pet Owners

Recognizing the grief owners feel while a pet is still living, and how to support them through it.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack describes anticipatory grief, the mix of emotions owners feel while a companion animal is still alive but facing a likely death. He explains how these feelings can affect end-of-life decisions and caregiver strain, and offers communication strategies and support resources for veterinary teams.

DVM360·

Navigating Different Client Types as Their Pet's Journey Nears Its End

Six client types at the end of a pet's life, and how teams can meet each with empathy.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney describes six client types families often fall into as a pet nears the end of life: planners, emotional hearts, stoics, the guilt-stricken, silent grievers, and support-seekers. For each, she offers ways veterinary teams can respond with empathy and practical support.

Veterinary Practice News·

Palliative Care for Nasal Cancer Patients

How palliative care can be integrated at any stage for dogs with nasal tumors.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney reviews nasal tumors in dogs, including common types, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. She then explains how palliative care, including pain management, symptom control, nutritional support, and emotional support for owners, can be woven into care at any stage of the disease.

DVM360·

Honoring Beloved Pets on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Meaningful ways veterinary teams can help clients remember and honor the pets they have lost.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney explains Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, held each August 28, and the comfort the Rainbow Bridge image offers grieving pet owners. She suggests ways veterinary teams can help clients remember their pets, including keepsakes, memorial projects, charitable giving, and connection with others who have experienced a similar loss.

DVM360·

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Veterinary Telehealth

Telemedicine versus teleadvice, and why end-of-life care is one of telehealth's most valuable uses.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney distinguishes telemedicine, virtual follow-up care from a veterinarian who has already seen the patient, from teleadvice, general guidance available to any pet owner. She describes telehealth's benefits, including convenience, rural access, cost savings, and continuity of care, and highlights end-of-life care as a key use.

DVM360·

Advanced Pain Management Protocols in Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care

Medications and emergency kits for managing pain and crises in hospice patients when the risk-benefit balance shifts.

By Dr. Tyler Carmack

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Dr. Carmack reviews medications used in hospice and palliative care, including acetaminophen, hydrocodone, pregabalin, and subanesthetic ketamine, and how their risk-benefit balance shifts at the end of life. He also describes emergency medication kits families can use to manage pain, anxiety, and other crises before veterinary help arrives.

DVM360·

The Benefits and Options of In-Home End-of-Life Care

What in-home end-of-life providers offer, and how general practices can educate clients and refer with confidence.

By Dr. Chelsea McGivney

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Dr. McGivney explains how in-home end-of-life care is becoming more available and why hospice-trained providers can offer time and services traditional clinics often cannot. She outlines options from virtual consultations and integrative hospice care to in-home euthanasia, aftercare, and grief support, and encourages general practitioners to refer to trusted providers.

DVM360 Strategic Alliance Partner

Caring Pathways is proud to be featured as a Strategic Alliance Partner with DVM360, reflecting our shared commitment to advancing veterinary education, leadership, and compassionate end-of-life care.

Visit Our DVM360 Partner Page

Featured Podcast Conversation

Caring Pathways leaders are also contributing to the profession through podcast interviews and expert conversations that explore the future of veterinary end-of-life care, referral collaboration, and compassionate support for pets, families, and veterinary teams.

Leveling up end-of-life care: Excellence, compassion, and the future of veterinary hospice

The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360

Featuring Dr. Chelsea McGivney and Dr. Tyler Carmack

In this DVM360 podcast conversation, Caring Pathways leaders discuss veterinary hospice, referral relationships, evolving end-of-life care needs, and the importance of strengthening support for families and the veterinary profession.

Listen to the Podcast

2026 Speaking Engagements

Caring Pathways leaders will continue contributing to the future of veterinary end-of-life care through conference presentations, panel discussions, roundtables, and professional education throughout 2026. These speaking engagements reflect our team’s ongoing commitment to advancing hospice, palliative care, in-home euthanasia, grief support, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration across the veterinary profession.

  • April 18–20 — IVAPM Pain Management Forum
    Speaker: Dr. Tyler Carmack
    Presenting on animal hospice and palliative care best practices
  • April 24–26 — Chronic Pain Symposium
    Speaker: Dr. Tyler Carmack
    Presenting on pain management, quality of life, and end-of-life decision-making
  • May 22–24 — 11th Scientific Event of the National Veterinary Association of Portugal
    Speaker: Dr. Tyler Carmack
    Presenting on hospice care, compassionate communication, pain management, and euthanasia best practices
  • June 1–3 — International Conference on Grief, Loss and Bereavement | La Crosse, WI
    Speaker: Dr. Kerry Muhovich
    Leading a roundtable on neurodiversity and grief
  • July 10–14 — AVMA Convention
    Speaker: Dr. Tyler Carmack
    Presenting on complex hospice and palliative care cases, pain management, and end-of-life care
  • September 24–27 — IAAHPC Virtual Conference
    Speakers: Dr. Chelsea McGivney, Dr. Megan Coveyou, and Dr. Tyler Carmack
    Presenting on veterinary hospice and palliative care
  • October 14–16 — IAVSW Conference | Ontario
    Speaker: Dr. Kerry Muhovich
    Presenting on sustainability in veterinary social work
  • December 4–6 — FETCH Long Beach
    Speaker: Dr. Tyler Carmack
    Presenting on hospice, quality of life, pain relief, and palliative care approaches

Webinars & Virtual Talks

Caring Pathways leaders also contribute to the profession through virtual presentations, webinars, and educational talks designed to support veterinary teams, deepen clinical understanding, and strengthen end-of-life care conversations.

Invite Caring Pathways to Contribute

Caring Pathways leaders are available for speaking engagements, podcast interviews, educational sessions, professional writing opportunities, and other conversations that support the veterinary profession. If you are looking for an expert perspective in veterinary hospice, palliative care, in-home euthanasia, grief support, or team wellbeing, we would welcome the opportunity to connect.

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