Three independent mobile vet practices have merged to enhance availability of home visits for end-of-life patients in the midlands.
Vets Maja Redfern, formerly of Vet Visits Ltd in Stafford, Donna Ness, from Ness Vet Home Visits in Telford, and Merel Taal, of Dignipets in Stourbridge, have pooled their expertise to form Dignipets Ltd.
Independent
The independent practice team consists of vets and RVNs trained in conducting compassionate pain assessment visits, hospice and palliative care and dignified home euthanasia.
Dignipets is one of the first practices providing these services at home and currently the only vet practice providing a 24/7 mobile service for euthanasia across the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire. Clinical director Maja Redfern hopes the service will assist colleagues and owners across the sector.
Support
She said: “Busy practices often struggle to provide the support they would like for end-of-life cases, and with an emphasis in veterinary training on curing rather than on caring and communication, there is often a dichotomy between aggressive treatment on the one hand, and early euthanasia just to be on the safe side, on the other.
“We feel incredibly fortunate we found a format where we can support our colleagues with these cases independently and have time for pet owners to guide them through the care and the decisions for their pet at home. In most cases, with skilled clinical judgement and support, owners can be empowered to make good and timely decisions for their pet.”