The dogs and cats in our lives are more than pets. They are family. So when age or terminal illness brings their time with us to an end, we want their trip to the “Rainbow Bridge” to be as stress-free and full of love as possible. Luckily, pet families in Pinellas County can turn to the caring arms of Rainbow Veterinary Hospice. They specialize in hospice-only mobile care, meaning Rainbow Veterinary Hospice comes to you. They provide compassionate euthanasia in the comfort of your home or other favorite location ensuring a peaceful and loving transition.
Who is Behind Rainbow Veterinary Hospice?
Rainbow Veterinary Hospice is the creation of Dr. Cindy Exelby, DVM and her longtime partner and wife, Misty Exelby. The two had an extensive history in the veterinary field, including fourteen years building a successful clinic in Santé Fe during the late 1990s and early 2000s. But their return to Cindy’s home state of Florida in 2014 gave them the opportunity to concentrate on the one thing they felt was lacking in a standard veterinary clinic or hospital, including theirs: end of life practices. Forcing families to bring their pets to the institutional setting of a clinic to say their final goodbyes seemed unnecessary. They were determined to do things differently. They wanted families to be able to make decisions about those final moments that demonstrated their “last act of love.” And from that simple idea, Rainbow Veterinary Hospice was born.
The Rainbow Bridge
The popular prose poem, The Rainbow Bridge, inspired the name of their venture. Simply put, the poem describes a place—”just this side of heaven”—where our beloved animals wait for us. They are free of pain and the aches of old age. Able to frolic happily while waiting to be united with their families. But knowing that your beloved pet will be free of pain doesn’t completely eliminate the reality that the decision to put your dog or cat “to sleep” is one of the most difficult choices a family can make. Rainbow Veterinary Hospice knows that being surrounded by love in a familiar setting can make the decision and the transition easier for everyone.
How Can They Help?
An in-home Rainbow Veterinary Hospice consultation includes a physical exam, an assessment of the pet’s pain and quality of life, and a treatment plan to best serve your pet’s needs. They are dedicated to maintaining quality of life in the terminally ill or senior pet so Dr. Exelby will provide her professional judgement on a path forward. This path may mean pain management or providing comfortable care but if euthanasia becomes the ultimate course, Rainbow Veterinary Hospice will be with you every step of the way as you decide how to proceed. They trust you and will honor your choices. For example, euthanasia can be performed at your home in your pet’s favorite bed or perhaps under their favorite tree or at the end of the family dock. Any place that they feel safe and comfortable.
It’s For the Love
The passion that the Exelbys have for their work is obvious. They do it for the love. And as a locally owned family business they are not tied to a big corporation’s rules or price tags. They can do what’s best for the family. So if you want your beloved dog’s last moments to be in the hull of the boat that he grew up on, then Dr. Exelby will come to your boat (and they won’t charge extra). They also will help with decisions about burial and cremation services. Simply put, they are dedicated to, “providing a loving goodbye in the comfort of the pet’s home surrounded by friends and family.”
That Love is Palpable
Testimonies from grateful clients abound on Facebook and the Rainbow Veterinary Hospice website. They are so thankful for the compassionate, dignified, and loving way Rainbow Veterinary Hospice handled their pets’ last moments. As Dr. Exelby explains, the animals themselves sense that she is there to help and care for them. That trust helps reduce stress in their final moments, but it’s not just the animals that sense the love. Perhaps the words of a little girl facing the loss of a lifetime companion say it best. After meeting Dr. Exelby, she sweetly told her, “When you cross over the Rainbow Bridge, tons of dogs will be waiting for you!”
They’re There For You
If you have questions or want more information about in-home animal and pet hospice care in Pinellas County, you can text (or call) Rainbow Veterinary Hospice at 727-515-1243 from 8am to 8pm. Or visit their website anytime at www.rainbowveterinaryhospice.com.
Very nice
It’s a wonderful thing to do
Dr. & Misty Exelby are a phenomenal team. The good Doctor truly cares for all living creatures big and small. I have personally experienced her gift and kindness. She saved 2 of my dogs lives. We can never thank her enough. Cheers to a wonderfully kind, family owned and operated local business.
I have known Misty and Cindy for about 8 years and I have never met two more caring and compassionate people in my whole life. They are both amazing individuals. I only wish I lived closer as I have two fur babies that are each nearing their exit ramps and I wish I had people like Misty and Cindy to help them on their journey.
Boomer and I love Dr. Cindy and Misty; there are no two people we would trust more . Thanks you both for everything you do.