Third Ave Veterinary Surgery

Index

End of life care

Dealing with the Loss of a Pet

The death of a beloved pet can be very distressing. Our pets are not only members of the family, they are our faithful friends, our children’s devoted playmates and reliable, affectionate companions for the elderly or disabled. They enrich our dayto-day lives and their passing makes for a deeply felt loss.

There are many reasons why we have to face a pet’s death:

  • Terminal Illness
  • Old age or senility
  • Fatal accident or unexpected occurrence
  • Behavioural problems
  • Long-term or chronic illness

 

Most of these factors may place you in the heartbreaking position of facing your pet’s death or having to contemplate euthanasia. As an owner, you are responsible for your pet’s overall health and welfare. When his or her quality of life deteriorates, determining to do the humane thing and end the pet’s needless suffering may be one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. That is why bereavement often begins before the actual death of the pet.

Grief

Losing a friend, and that is what your pet is, is always very painful. Facing such a loss is not easy, and may evoke feelings of denial, anger, guilt or depression before acceptance is reached. These reactions are entirely natural and should be expressed. Everyone grieves in his or her own way. You may experience some or all of those feelings, in varying degrees and for different lengths of time. Acknowledging them is an important step in the mourning process, one that will help you understand why you may have withdrawn from, or lashed out at, people who care about you.

You should realise that it is perfectly natural to need comforting. It will not only help you cope with your emotions and adjust to life without your pet, but may allow you, in the future, to provide welcome support to others around you who are experiencing the same loss.

 

The Healing Process

There are many stages of grief and the journey through them is not always a straight forward. Recognize that loss and give yourself the emotional time and space to grieve. Getting through the sorrow, guilt and pain varies from person to person.

Seek help. Many hotlines, chat rooms, message boards and support groups are available on the Internet, and books on adult and child bereavement may help you better understand what you are experiencing. And, if you need to, don’t hesitate to reach out for others’ personal and professional assistance. Call us at Third Avenue Veterinary Surgery, trusted friends, or a counsellor. Make a donation or volunteer your services to a pet refuge.

With time, the pain will lessen and you and your family will be able to cherish happy memories of your special friend.

Please contact the surgery if you we may be of any assistance to you and your pet.

Please find listed below some links which may be of use to you during this difficult time.

Pets in Peace Cremation Service
www.petsinpeace.com.au

Quality of Life Scale by Dr Alice Villalobos

A Place to Honour & Celebrate Our Pets
www.ourwonderfulpets.com

Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Support Community
Pet Loss & Grief Support

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Kerri

Veterinary Nurse
Kerri’s love of animals started back in 1998 when she scored an after school job at the local pet shop but her nursing career began in 2007 working in a small animal practice in Cairns. It is here, teaching Puppy Preschool that her love of behaviour and dog training began. After a few years she started making her way back to Brisbane working in other small animal clinics along the way.

After returning to Brisbane and beginning her family, she continued to work part time both as a nurse and also continuing her journey in canine behaviour and training. For Kerri her love of her patients shines through in her care for them. Whether it is a pat, a brush, scratch behind the ears or head bumps or just sitting in the sun with them. It is the bond and trust of her patients that helps to make her a favourite with her patients. A hazard of the job is when they steal your heart as is the case of Kerri’s old pup (they are all pups or kitties to Kerri) Scruff who came into her workplace in Maryborough as a stray and decided Kerri was his human. And after a month of trying to contact his former owners Kerri officially belonged to Scruff. Scruff now has another 4 legged companion a mischievous caboodle called Sunny.

When not at work or study you can find Kerri spending time with her daughters playing in the park, walking along the Margate foreshore, enjoying a movie or getting messy crafting, cooking or in the garden.

Kate

Veterinary Nurse
Kate has loved animals since she was very young. After studying multiple years of Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Science, Kate has landed on Veterinary Nursing as her chosen career. She has a keen interest in exotics and cat behaviour. Kate has also previously done wildlife care, stabilising wallaby joeys to pass on to their next carer.

Outside of work, she enjoys hanging out with her two cats, budgies, friends and family. She also enjoys sewing, doing jigsaw puzzles and a cheeky beverage every now and again.

Dr. Sarah Silveria

BVSc
Originally from the US, Sarah moved to New Zealand in the summer of 2009 and completed her veterinary training at Massey University in 2013.

After a few years of doing 100% dairy work in rural New Zealand, Sarah moved to Perth with her young family and made the move to companion animals. Sarah and her family have recently moved to Brisbane and are looking forward to becoming part of the Brighton / Sandgate community. She has an interest in dermatology and soft tissue surgery.

When not at work, you can find Sarah chasing her two kids around the coast, enjoying hikes in the hills and just relaxing in the sun.

Krystal Macey

Receptionist / Trainee Veterinary Nurse
Growing up Krystal wanted what most children want, to become a vet. From a very young age she would bring home all the strays she came across (dogs, cats, birds, lizards) and want to help them all!

In 2007 she did work experience in a Veterinary clinic and fell in love with the Vet Nurse roll and this became her dream career.

Krystal loves all animals, big, small, furry, feathery, and scaly, however in 2013 she fell into the Rescue world of cats and dogs, and that became a huge passion of hers. Once her two beautiful children reached school age, Krystal wanted to pursue her dream of becoming a Vet Nurse. She completed her Cert III in 2022 and is looking forward to starting her Cert IV soon.

Krystal shares her home with 2 dogs, 1 cat and has a revolving door for many foster animals.

Outside of work Krystal enjoys rescue life, bush & beach walks with her family and dogs, camping/BBQs with friends, or just relaxing with her kitty at home reading a book.

Olivia Byrom

Veterinary Nurse
Olivia is a veterinary science student half way through her degree at UQ and has thoroughly enjoyed the clinical experience she has gained whilst nursing. With the mentorship of the TAVS team, Olivia has developed a keen interest in cytology and soft tissue surgery and enjoys assisting with a wide range of procedures, and getting to know all of our lovely patients and clients.

Olivia has a very naughty rascal of a terrier cross called Luca to keep her busy in between work and study. Outside of work Olivia loves to explore new bush walks and hikes.

Maddy Evans

Veterinary Technician
Maddy joined our wonderful staff at Third Avenue Vet Surgery in 2019. Maddy came to us with Veterinary Technician qualifications plus a host of office administration experience.

She has had a love of all animals since a young age and enjoys being involved in soft tissue surgeries.

Maddy has been known to enjoy a lazy glass of red wine now and then, purely for medicinal purposes of course!

Dr Heday Nakayama

BVSc
Originally native Japanese living Down Under, Dr Heday is now a true blue Aussie and graduated from the University of Queensland in 2011.

After spending 7 years in different veterinary positions (from animal shelter to rural mixed practice) as well as 3 years of doing locums around Brisbane working in over 10 different practices, Dr Heday has now settled here at Third Avenue Vet Surgery in 2022. He loves all aspects of veterinary medicine and has a keen interest in surgery.

Dr Heday will bring joy and smiles to our clients and their furry friends at every visit.

In his spare time, he will be juggling taking care of a little human boy and two senior cats, together with his lovely wife.

Dr. Garreth van Bart

BSc BVSc
Originally native to Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr Garreth has had a passion for veterinary science since he can remember. This has been a driving force to get him to where he is today.

After qualifying from the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science in Onderstepoort in 2002, he spent some time at the local RSPCA and did a few locums at other clinics in the area, before starting work at Rant en Dal Animal Hospital. Here Dr Garreth became a partner and stayed there until 2019, when he moved to Australia with his wife and two sons. Dr Garreth and his family love it here and love being a part of the community.

With a keen interest in surgery and canine reproduction, as well as small exotics such as reptiles, birds, guinea pigs, rats and mice, Dr Garreth believes he will fit right in.

When not at work he loves spending time with his family or fishing from his kayak out on the bay.

Dr Garreth is looking forward to meeting all your furry family members.

Send your message or call to make a booking

(07) 3869 3347