No one likes to think about losing a beloved furry family member. It’s a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved, but Dr. Cindy and Misty Exelby at Rainbow Veterinary Hospice bring love, dignity and comfort to this difficult experience. “Our service exists to make it easier for the pet and the parent to access end-of-life care and euthanasia in their own homes, where the pet is most comfortable,” says Misty Exelby, co-owner of Rainbow Veterinary Hospice. “It takes their fear away; there are no lab coats, no other pets barking or meowing in the background. Pets feel safe with their families in their own home, passing peacefully and without fear.”
Loving Care
Rainbow Veterinary Hospice provides an incredibly kind and heartfelt service; one that relieves suffering, honors a beautiful life, and considers the grieving family. If this sort of practice sounds new to you, you are not alone. “We owned a free-standing veterinary hospital in Santa Fe for many years,” Misty continues. “The only way we fell short was at the end of their lives, when we asked their parents to bring them to the place they least liked to go.
It felt so unfair to us, so we vowed that once we relocated to Florida we were committed to providing exclusively hospice care in the home for our beloved wee ones, allowing their fear and trepidation to disappear.”
Rainbow Veterinary Hospice also provides hospice support. “When a terminal diagnosis arises and extending the life of the pet is the choice of the pet parent, we can send Dr. Cindy over to access the needs of the pet, and provide loving, compassionate palliative care to extend their lives as long as they are not suffering. People appreciate knowing there is a doctor to help with palliative care until, together, it is agreed that no more can be done.”
From the Mouths of Babes
“We walked into a home where a 10-year-old answered the door,” shares Misty.
“The young girl asked us quietly, ‘Are you the doctor who came to help our Henry pass over the Rainbow Bridge?’ We answered affirmatively.”
She said, ‘Mommy and Daddy told me Henry will be waiting for us when it’s our turn to go over that rainbow bridge, too, because we have loved him and fed him and taken good care of him.’ “We replied that yes, this is what we believe to be true.” She replied, ‘Wow. You are a lucky doctor. There will be so many dogs waiting for you when it’s your turn!’
The Fondest of Farewells
One peek at the reviews on Rainbow Veterinary Hospice’s Facebook and Google pages shows just how beloved they are. Clients actually requested that the pages be set up so they could share their stories and experiences, helping other people find the best way to their final farewells to their loved ones.
“We have had people invite their parents and friends who love their wee ones over to say goodbye. We have been asked to provide our service on boats or docks where the dogs grew up. Our services have been requested on the favorite ledge of an elderly feline as she lay in dignity in her favorite sun spot on her favorite porch or under a favorite tree or at grandma’s where they played for hours with the grandchildren,” smiles Misty.
“There are no words big enough to explain how special the experience can be made when love is the driving force. Our clients are so appreciative, so loving and kind. We get big hugs months later in Publix when they recognize us and stop to thank us.”
A Family Business
Rainbow Veterinary Hospice is proud to treat animals with the grace they deserve at the end of their lives, when they need it most. They are a local, family business providing care to most of Pinellas County. Evening and weekend hours allow even 9-5 folks to access their important services.
They have dedicated their lives to providing high-quality, loving care to our sweet animals, and can even arrange cremation services. “Most importantly”, Misty says, “Every wee one is handled like our own.”
For more information, please call (727) 515-1243 and visit Rainbowveterinaryhospice.com.
