By Sarah Whitman
Senior Staff Writer
Lutz—Dani McVety was studying veterinary medicine at the University of Florida when she got a phone call explaining her childhood dog Dusty needed to be euthanized. Dusty, a 14-year-old female doberman, suffered from severe arthritis and could no longer function. McVety and her family took the dog to the vet, where a doctor administered the end-of-life drug; then left the room. The impersonal experience left McVety devastated.
“The doctor left the room and that was it, there was no additional sympathy or explanation,” McVety said. “Having that personal experience made me want to help people with the euthanasia process. It’s such an emotional time. I knew when I became a vet, I wanted to make it better for people.”
Now a doctor of veterinary medicine, McVety is the owner of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia. The unique private practice allows McVety to visit the homes of clients with critically ill or injured pets. She helps care for the animals during their last days; then administers in-home euthanasia.
“I do this for the love of the people that love their animals,” McVety said. “A bad news diagnosis doesn’t mean you have to euthanize right away. I let clients know they have options, that they can take their pets home and go from there.”
McVety offers all the services of an in-office vet, including medications and pain management. She visits client’s homes as requested and begins discussions about end of life when pet owners are ready.
“A lot of people don’t want their pets to die alone,” McVety said. “We work with them to plan so that they can be there at the end.”
McVety is on call for clients, keeping a cell phone hooked to her belt. She works out of her home in Lutz. She also works part-time at Tampa Bay Veterinarian Emergency Services, where she meets many clients for the first-time.
Wesley Chapel residents Marta and Craig Henry were at the emergency vet with their miniature schnauzer Blackie when McVety let them know about in-home euthanasia.
“Blackie was old and had been sick for months, she needed IV fluids everyday and we were always taking her to the vet,” Marta Henry said. “When Dr. McVety told us we could do in-home hospice, we were surprised. We didn’t even know that option existed.”
The Henry’s hired McVety to administer daily fluids from home and monitor Blackie’s health. In the end, they were happy with the decision to discontinue in-office treatment.
“The experience was wonderful,” Henry said. “Dr. McVety was there at the end. She is the sweetest person and she was able to comfort Blackie. Having her help made things so much easier.”
Melissa Kirkpatrick is also grateful to McVety, and her willingness to accommodate client needs.
“Our 13-year-old great dane Bailey had a seizure in the night,” Kirkpatrick said. “We called Dr. McVety and she came out first thing in the morning. Bailey was able to have her last moments in her own home. It was very peaceful.”
For pet owners, losing an animal can be as difficult as losing a friend or relative. For this reason, McVety stays with clients after an animal has passed. She grieves with them and offers support. Many clients share memories and say their goodbyes.
“I’ll stay with them for as long as they need,” McVety said. “Most of the time I tear up too. I think it comforts people to know I sympathize with them.”
Once a client is ready, McVety either leaves the animal to be buried by the family or takes the animal so it can be cremated.
Anyone with a pet in need can contact McVety for a consultation. She is willing to travel throughout Pasco and Hillsborough counties. The base cost for her service is $225, which covers the cost of euthanasia. She spends several hours with clients, so the cost is minimal, she said. Medications and multiple visits are available at an additional cost.
For more information, call Dr. Dani McVety at (813) 407-9441 or visit www.VetHospice.org.
