End-of-Life Services for Pets

We've been down this road more times than we care to say and we know what you are going through. Fortunately, today there are  services available for end-of-life and comfort care which have become available in the last few years. The following are some great resources for Denver-area pet parents and we highly encourage you to seek these services is your pet is dealing with illness an nearing the end. 

Hospice, Palliative Care & In-Home Euthanasia

A Peaceful Passage (Denver) - offering hospice and in-home euthanasia services in the Denver area
303-948-1540
www.apeacefulpassage.com

At Home & At Peace Veterinary Euthanasia Service (Westminster) - offering hospice and in-home euthanasia services in the 20 miles surrounding Westminster, including: Boulder, Golden, Longmont, Mead, Platteville, Lafayette, Niwot, Brighton, Gunbarrel, Thornton, Firestone, Arvada, Englewood, Denver, Golden, Littleton, Centennial, Aurora
 720-340-1253
​www.athome-atpeace.weebly.com

Beside Still Water - Dr. Ann Brandenburg-Schroeder - providing in-home euthanasia services in the metro Denver area
303-237-0817
www.besidestillwater.net

Caring Pathways (Denver) - providing hospice and in-home euthanasia services in the Denver area
720-287-2553
www.caringpathways.com

Home to Heaven (Loveland) - providing hospice and in-home euthanasia services in Northern Colorado
970-412-6212
www.hometoheaven.net

​Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice (Denver) - providing hospice and in-home euthanasia services in all of parts of Denver, Elbert and North
l Paso counties in Colorado. 
720-399-7334
​www.lapoflove.com

Pet Crematoriums + Pet Cemeteries

Evergreen Pet Cemetery (Evergreen)
303-674-7750
www.petsatemp.com/cms

Homeward Bound Pet Memorial Center & Crematorium (Colorado Springs)
719-636-1036
www.homeward-bound-pet.com

Pet Cremation Services (Wheat Ridge)
303-403-1647 
www.petcremationservices.com

Precious Memories Pet Cemetery & Crematory (Fort Collins)
866-882-4086
ww.preciousmemoriespetcemetery.com

Rainbow Bridge Pet Crematorium (Loveland)
970-962-9200
www.rainbowbridgepetcrem.com

Sheilagh R. Malo Pet Memorial Garden at the Dumb Friends League Quebec Street Shelter (Denver)
720-241-7151
www.ddfl.org/additionalmemorials

Pet Loss Articles

Part Loss, Part 1: Senior Dog Care and End-of-Life Planning

Pet Loss, Part 2: Saying Goodbye

Pet Loss, Part 3: The Grieving Process

Pet Loss, Part 4: Keeping the Memory Alive

Anticipatory Grief

When pet parents learn of a terminal illness with their dog, or if they have a fur kid who is quickly declining, it can send their world into a tailspin. Denver author Doug Koktavy's life fell apart when his beloved Labrador Retriever was given only 60 days to live. While there were many books and website about dealing with loss after the fact, he was unable to find any resources to help him cope with an impending loss. In the aftermath, he penned a brilliant and award-winning book on the topic of anticipatory grief which everyone should read. If you've ever loved and two- or -four-legged creature, this book will help you let go of guilt, live in the moment and find both sadness as well as peace and joy at the end. It's a life-changing book you should read before you have to face your next life loss. 

The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer: Lessons on Living and Dying from my Canine Brothers
​By Doug Koktavy

Article about the book: Life Lessons from Doug Koktavy
From Mile High Dog magazine, December 2010. ​We cannot recommend this book highly enough. 

Pet Loss Chat Rooms

Anticipatory Loss Online Chat Room
Provided by the Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement
https://aplb.org/chat/

Pet Loss Online Chat Room
Provide by the Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement
https://aplb.org/chat/

Pet Loss Support Groups in Colorado

FREE Denver-Area Weekly Pet Loss Support Group
Provided by ​Human Animal Bond Trust 
Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
PetAid Colorado
191 Yuma Street (NE entry), Lakewood
www.humananimalbondtrust.org/pet-loss-support-group.html

FREE Boulder Pet Loss Support Group
First Saturday of every month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Humane Society of the Boulder Valley
2323 55th Street, Boulder
www.gentlepsychotherapy.com/loss.html

FREE Colorado Springs Area Pet Loss Support Group
Second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Homeward Bound Pet Memorial Center & Crematorium
318 Karen Lane, Colorado Springs
Please RSVP to 719-636-1036
www.homeward-bound-pet.com/about-us/pet-loss-support-group

Pet Loss Support Group of Fort Collins - $20 per person
First Wednesday of each month from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m.
Offices of Barbara L. Beach, #19 Old Town Square, Suite 238, Fort Collins.
Please call by noon the day of to confirm, 970-217-7124
www.beach-therapy.net/services

Pet Loss & Grief Counseling

Denver Area Counselors:
*Susan Anschuetz, 303-860-9228, susananschuetz@msn.com
Anne Cattarello, 720-352-0930, Boulder, gentlepsychotherapy.com
Jan Cook, 303-360-0900 chrysalis231@email.msn.com
*Kay Gilchrist, 303-995-2311, kegilchrist1@comcast.net
*Ann Johnson, 303-638-3690, annj2005@comcast.net
Lisa Kaser, 720-989-3695, Castle Rock, lkaser9@hotmail.com 
Meg Lands, 303-263-4399, meglands@juno.com 
* Facilitator of the Human Animal Bond Trust Pet Loss Support Group since 1988.