End of Life Care
Compassionate End-of-Life Care for Every Pet
At Heart With Wings, we believe that every animal deserves a peaceful, dignified, and compassionate end-of-life experience — regardless of their size or species.
Our goal is to help pets feel comfortable, relaxed, and surrounded by the people, places, and things that are most familiar to them, while providing families with the time, guidance, and support they need throughout this important stage of their pet’s life.
Our End-of-Life Care Services
End-of-life care is more than the final appointment. We support families throughout the entire journey, helping them understand their pet’s changing needs and make informed decisions along the way.
As a mobile veterinarian, Dr. Coulter provides compassionate end-of-life care throughout Barrie and the surrounding communities, allowing your pet to remain in the comfort and familiarity of home.
Our services include:
- Senior pet care
- In-depth quality-of-life assessments performed by a certified hospice and palliative care professional
- Palliative care to help manage comfort and quality of life
- Hospice care for pets approaching the end of their lives
- In-home euthanasia
- End-of-life care at our private Barrie centre
- Aftercare and cremation services
- Memorialization options to help families honour their companion
As your pet’s needs change, we help you understand what they may be experiencing, what options are available, and what you can expect at each stage.
A Peaceful Goodbye at Home
- For many families, home is where their pet feels safest.
- Being surrounded by familiar scents, sounds, people, blankets, beds, and favourite places can help make the end-of-life experience more comfortable and peaceful for your pet.
- Our mobile service allows you to say goodbye in an environment where your pet feels at ease, without the stress of travelling to a busy veterinary hospital.
- You can take the time you need to be together, say goodbye, share memories, and simply be present with your pet.
Our Private Centre in Barrie
- For families who prefer to bring their pet to us, we also offer end-of-life services at our private, quiet, and cozy centre in Barrie.
- Our space is designed to feel more like a home than a veterinary clinic. Families can gather together in a private, peaceful environment without the distractions, noise, or clinical atmosphere of a traditional veterinary hospital.
- Whether we come to you or you choose to visit us, our goal is the same: to create a peaceful space where you and your pet feel comfortable, supported, and cared for.
Compassionate Care for More Than Dogs & Cats
Every species can be a cherished member of the family.
Heart With Wings provides end-of-life care, aftercare, and cremation services for a wide range of beloved companion animals, including:
Dogs • Cats • Pocket Pets • Reptiles • Avian Species • Poultry
Whether your companion is a rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, rat, bird, chicken, lizard, snake, or another cherished species, we understand that their loss can be just as profound.
Their lives may look different from those of dogs and cats, but the bond you share with them is no less meaningful. We believe every companion deserves the same compassion, respect, and dignity throughout their final days and after their passing.
Aftercare & Cremation
We understand that saying goodbye does not end when your pet passes.
The decisions that follow can feel overwhelming at an already difficult time. That is why we provide aftercare, cremation, and memorialization with the same level of care and compassion we provide during your pet’s final moments.
Your pet remains in the care of our compassionate team, so you do not have to worry about navigating those next steps alone.
From the first quality-of-life conversation, through palliative or hospice care, to a peaceful goodbye and finally through aftercare and memorialization, we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Making It Personal
Prior to your appointment, consider the setting that would put your pet and yourself or family at ease. This place might be their bed, a favourite chair, or in the backyard under a well-loved shade tree. We are comfortable where your pet is comfortable. Dr. Coulter has had final moments with her own pets on the back deck overlooking the fields and on her dog’s bed in front of a fireplace. We know this is a deeply personal choice. You can also consider music, candles, readings, and other ways to mark the experience. These steps are not necessary, but some pet families find them comforting.
Should Children Be Part Of The Process?
Children have often been around their pet for most, if not all, of their lives. They’ve likely taken an active role in caring for this family member, especially as they’ve grown weaker with age. While illness and death are difficult topics to broach, pet euthanasia can provide opportunities to teach a child rich lessons about the cycle of life. We encourage you to consider each child’s temperament and your own ability to carefully prepare them as the time approaches when deciding whether you want them present at the euthanasia.