In Home Euthanasia

  In Home Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy. In home euthanasia offers a gentle and compassionate farewell, allowing pets to spend their final moments in the comfort of a familiar environment. You can ensure that your pet feels safe and at ease, surrounded by family and peaceful sights and scents. This minimizes stress for your pet and provides a private and serene setting for you to grieve.

FAQs

  • Most pet owners struggle to answer this question. With the help of your regular Veterinarian and assessment of quality of life, you can know that you are choosing the best time for your beloved pet. It is helpful to consider the following questions.

    • Is your pet in pain? If so, is the pain managed well with medications? Or have all the medication options been tried and no longer effectively controlling the pain.

    • Can your pet walk without assistance?

    • Has your pet been diagnosed with a terminal illness?

    • Can your pet relieve himself/herself on their own?

    • What are your pet’s eating characteristics?

    • Has your pet had a significant behavior change and lost interest in favorite activities?

    • Does your pet have trouble breathing?

  • In-home pet euthanasia is a compassionate way to honor the journey you’ve shared with your beloved pet.

    • Choose a place (inside or out) where your pet and family members feel comfortable. Perhaps on their favorite bed, on the couch or their favorite spot in the yard.

    • Dr. Briley will arrive at the appointed time and complete paperwork with you, including : authorization for the euthanasia procedure, confirmation of aftercare instructions and payment if not already submitted.

    • Dr. Briley will explain the procedure and invite you to ask questions.

    • When you are ready, she will administer an injection of sedative and pain-reliever under the skin.  This will gradually cause a state of deep relaxation.  If your pet is eating, you can give them special treats at this time. Because every individual is different, it can range from 5-20 minutes to take full effect.  During this time, stay with your pet: talk to them, hold them as they relax.

    • Once sedated, a small amount of hair is clipped for the final injection to be given. The injection will be given in an area of the body that is most appropriate for each pet’s condition. This injection is fast acting. Again, you can soothe and reassure your pet as they receive the injection.

    • After the injection, she will listen for the final heartbeat. She will step out and allow you and your family private time with your pet.

    • After you have said your final goodbyes, Dr. Briley will transport for aftercare to Johnson Funeral Home/Pet Angels Crematorium. If your pet weighs more than 40#, she will require assistance to lift the gurney into the car.

  • Ultimately it is the decision of the family whether or not they feel it is best to have young children or other pets present. Consideration for your companion's comfort during their final moments should be of top importance while making this decision. Depending on the temperament of your other pets and the age of your child, having them present may provide a more calming environment for your companion. However, it can also cause additional stress for you and your companion if other pets or small children are moving around excessively and making a lot of noise. Dr. Briley can help guide you through this decision and will honor the request that is best for your family.

    • Private/individual cremation is provided by Johnson Funeral Home/Pet Angels Crematorium. This process involves careful identification, individual cremation in a dedicated chamber, and return of only your pet’s ashes in a wooden engraved urn. This option allows for a personal and lasting tribute to your cherished companion. Private cremation includes direct transportation to the crematorium.

    • Group/communal cremation refers to the practice of cremating multiple animals together. Pets are not individually identified or separated; therefore, the resulting ashes are mixed and cannot be separated or returned to the owners. The crematorium will then respectfully disperse the group of communal ashes. Group/communal cremation includes direct transportation to the crematorium.

    • Home burial of pet, your pet will stay with you for at home burial.

    • For general questions and to speak with Dr. Briley, call 337-377-5675 or complete the inquiry form and she will return your call. She will ask medical condition questions regarding the health status of your pet and then answer any questions you have about the process of in home euthanasia.

    • A consultation home visit can be arranged prior to making the decision on euthanasia.

    • If you are ready to make an appointment for in home euthanasia, complete the appointment form with designated date and time. Dr. Briley will call to confirm and go over any questions.

  • In home euthanasia $350.

    This includes: phone consultation, travel to your home, pain/sedative injection to cause complete sleep/sedation, final euthanasia injection and transportation of pet’s body to crematorium.

    Aftercare fees are additional.

    Private cremation is $300 and includes transportation to crematorium, return of pets remains in a wooden, engraved urn, death certificate, clay paw print, rainbow bridge memorial card and grief support book.

    Communal/non private cremation is $125 and includes transportation to crematorium.

    Euthanasia/Private Cremation Total $650

    Euthanasia/Communal Cremation Total $475

  • Yes, Dr. Briley provides euthanasia services on weekends.

Paws Over the Rainbow

Dedicated to Jilly

Testimonials

“Our family’s experience with Paws Over the Rainbow was truly a blessing. Sage was a part of every significant memory of our young, growing family and will be truly missed. Having her take her last breath in her own home, in her own living room, was the most peaceful last remembrance we will have of her.”

—Mitch T.

“We recently had to make the most heart wrenching decision that no fur baby parent wants to make. After talking to Dr. Briley, reading literature she sent to us and answering a few questions evaluating quality of life, we knew it was time to let our beloved Millie go. Dr. Briley came to our home. In her own bed, surrounded by her human family and her brother fur baby, Millie made the journey over the rainbow bridge. Thank you, Dr. Briley, for helping us say goodbye to our sweet dog, Millie, and for making her passing so peaceful. We are forever grateful.

—Sandra W.

“Every pet owner has a bond that transcends words—a connection built on love, loyalty and shared experiences. Such was the case for me and my Scottish Terrier, Winston. When the time came to say goodbye, it was Dr. Briley who provided the compassion and support that made a difficult decision more bearable. She treated Winston with the utmost respect and care, allowing him to be in his bed, surrounded by the love he’d always known. It was a tender farewell, one that I will cherish forever.

—Pat H.

Dr. Briley was a true blessing during one of the most difficult times for our family. Our beloved Lucy had been with us for so many years and saying goodbye was unimaginably hard. Dr. Briley came to our home, creating a peaceful environment for Lucy’s final moments. Prior to her arrival, she explained everything with patience and care, never rushing as she answered all my questions. She made a heartbreaking experience easier to bear. We will always be grateful for her empathy and professionalism in helping families like ours.

—Wayne S.

The day our family said goodbye to our little “Jeanie” was truly one of the hardest days of our lives. Dr. Briley was a Godsend on that day. When that sad day arrived, our only concern was our Jeanie. The grief was overwhelming; there’s no way we could have driven home from a vet’s office after her passing. We chose cremation and Dr. Briley handled that for us, as well. Being able to say goodbye to Jeanie privately, on our own terms and in our home, was priceless. Dr. Briley handled it all for us with sympathy, grace and the utmost respect.

—Lydia C.

The absolute worst day of being a pet parent is the day you have to say goodbye. I feel fortunate knowing that our final goodbyes were said in the comfort of our home. Family and friends were able to come by before Dr. Briley arrived and then our pet was surrounded by his loved ones in his familiar surroundings on his bed. Although we became aware of this service out of necessity due to his large breed size, (Mastiff), I don’t think we would choose it differently even with smaller pets. I believe that family should be with them at the very end, in their home.

—TW

About

Paws Over the Rainbow was founded from a place of deep love and personal experience. Dr. Briley has been a small animal Veterinarian for 31 years. She co-owns Country Club Veterinary Clinic in Lake Charles, where she designed a modern facility that included a dedicated grieving room to provide a peaceful space for end-of-life care. Throughout her career, she has walked alongside many pet owners, helping them navigate the difficult decision of euthanasia with empathy and understanding. When her own dog, Jilly, was diagnosed with lung cancer at 15 years old, she was faced with the same heartbreaking choice she’d helped so many clients make. Jilly suffered from anxiety/dementia and despite having a clinic with a serene grieving room, Dr. Briley knew that an in-home euthanasia would be the best option for her. The experience turned out to be the most special gift she could have imagined giving Jilly. She just went to sleep, without pain or worry.

Inspired by Jilly’s journey, Dr. Briley established Paws Over the Rainbow to offer pet owners the same compassionate, in-home euthanasia care. To further enhance her ability to provide gentle and peaceful euthanasia experiences, she pursued additional training and became certified through the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). Dr. Briley’s mission is to ensure that every pet’s final moments are filled with love, comfort and dignity, helping them cross the rainbow bridge in the most peaceful way possible.

Meet Dr. Briley

Over 31 years of experience delivering compassionate and empathetic veterinary care to pets and their families, Dr. Briley is focused on clear communication to ensure families are well-informed when making decisions about their pets. A 1993 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, she has called Lake Charles home since graduation. She co-owns Country Club Veterinary Clinic in Lake Charles with her business partner, Dr. Mocklin. She is recognized by clients as a veterinarian who takes the time to listen attentively and educate them about their pet’s health and well-being. Dr. Briley was inspired to establish Paws Over the Rainbow after experiencing the serene in-home euthanasia of her own dog, Jilly.

Dr. Briley is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) as a certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian (CPEV).

337-377-5675