120: Facing Pet Grief: A Talk with Hospice Veterinarian Jason Doll

Previous Episode: 119: Becoming Independent in the Face of Loss with Shelly Ferrari

Next Episode: (RERUN) Death from the Perspective of a Hospice Nurse with Hadley Vlahos

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.

In this week's episode of Rock Your Shine podcast, guest Jason Doll, a hospice veterinarian from Lap of Love, discusses the complexities of handling pet loss.

Jason, who hails from Central Pennsylvania and studied at Tufts University Veterinary School, shares how his work focuses on end-of-life care for pets, offering a compassionate approach to a challenging process.

The episode offers insights into the importance of understanding and acknowledging the grief experienced by pet owners, and the significance of considering the beloved pets as family members. Jason also emphasizes the importance of narrative medicine - focusing on patient connection beyond mere lab results.

We get into issues of decision-making at the end of a pet’s life, the role of veterinary teams in this process and how they can struggle with the weight of what they do. Jason highlights that veterinarians have the highest suicide rates of any medical profession, indicating a need for increased support and understanding of their work. He educates listeners about resources available for those who are saying goodbye to their pets, and the importance of supporting local veterinary services.

In his dedication to honoring the humanity and humor found in life through animals, Jason expresses a sense of privilege in assisting these companions during one of their loved ones' most challenging moments. Following completion of veterinary school, he returned to his hometown in central Pennsylvania to engage in General Practice/Emergency Medicine. A particular fondness is reserved for senior pets. With a professional background in avian and zoo medicine, Jason takes pride in ensuring comfort not only for the animals but also for their human companions. The decision to transition to mobile end-of-life services came shortly after the loss of his mother, a physician and cat enthusiast. Jason aspires to carry on her legacy by providing support to every family he assists. His mission is to transform the most difficult day into a poignant memory that families will cherish, aiming to replace fear and resentment with a sense of solace and remembrance.

**TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources.

Listen in as we talk about:

[0:00] Intro

02:15 Jason's Journey into End of Life Pet Care

02:29 The Importance of Patient Connection

03:24 The Changing Perception of Pet Ownership

03:59 The Increasing Need for End of Life Care for Pets

04:40 The Challenges of Pet Loss and Grief

05:43 Understanding Disenfranchised Grief

06:48 The Emotional Impact of Pet Loss

07:50 Celebrating the Life of Pets After Their Passing

08:57 The Deep Bond Between Humans and Pets

10:10 Reframing the Language Around Euthanasia