Our sweet pup, Kai, was declining rapidly from stomach cancer. We watched his quality of life deteriorate daily and knew the end was nearing. He was such a beloved member of our family, and it was heartbreaking to contemplate his loss, but we also wanted to prevent him from suffering. When my husband expressed interest in in-home euthanasia, I began looking into options in Northern Colorado and came across Caring Pathways.
From my first call to Caring Pathways, I could tell that they were compassionate and fully aware of the emotional toll such decisions bring. I was touched by the thoughtfulness expressed by their staff. It did not take long for me to feel confident in moving forward with their services.
We knew we didn’t have much more time with Kai, but scheduling a date and making that commitment was difficult. Even after setting the appointment for Friday, February 28, I wanted reassurance that we were making the best decision. I turned to the quality-of-life assessment provided by Caring Pathways, which confirmed what we already knew—it was time to let Kai go in the most compassionate way possible.
When Dr. Kristen Neisler arrived, she was kind, patient, and considerate. She explained the process to us and was so gentle with Kai. She never rushed us, allowing us to decide where we wanted to be in our home and when we were ready to proceed. We were grateful that Kai could remain in the comfort and familiarity of his own home in his final moments. We were also able to grieve for him privately. It was heartbreaking, but it was also very peaceful.
Dr. Neisler had pillows, blankets, and even flowers in the back of her hatchback, ensuring that Kai was laid down gently for his final car ride. We were even able to send his favorite ball with him. She was patient, giving us all the time we needed to say our final goodbyes. We are incredibly grateful for the service she provided to us and to Kai. Thank you, Dr. Neisler, and thank you, Caring Pathways.
We highly recommend Caring Pathways. They make one of the most difficult decisions and experiences bearable.
