Enabling pets to die in the comfort of home surrounded by loved ones provided the inspiration for veterinarian Mark Huber and his wife Stacey to open Till We Meet Again, a home hospice and euthanasia service. The business has offered daily acts of deliberate compassion for dogs, cats and owners since 2018 and primarily serves Lancaster County.

When owners reach out to us, they are often overwhelmed and overcome with emotion,” says Stacey, who listens attentively to a family’s concerns and questions, educates them about what they can expect during hospice and euthanasia services and, if desired, schedules a home visit with Huber. “I do a lot of listening. I want owners to feel heard and understood,” she notes. Owners can also initiate contact by filling out a form on the website or sending a text.

Huber, who has worked at PETS Emergency Hospital since 2008, including relief work for more than a dozen veterinarian hospitals, has performed euthanasia in a variety of settings. “It’s undoubtedly one of the hardest jobs vets do, regardless of where the euthanasia takes place,” reflects Huber.

At the home, Huber and Stacey provide additional education to help the family feel more confident about their decision. “No pet owner wants to play God,” says Huber, who recognizes the burden owners carry in making the decision to end their pet’s life. “We hope the compassion and education we provide lessens this burden and helps to prevent feelings of regret after the pet’s death.” End-of-life care in this environment can be instrumental in reducing stress and suffering for both the pet and family.

One client, Shannon McConaghy, who used Till We Meet Again home euthanasia services for her dogs, Camden and Wrigley, says, “The service eliminated our concerns about transporting our pets to the veterinarian and the stress or fear that could create for our pets. It allowed us to focus solely on saying good-bye and being 100 percent present in the moment with our pets.”

Hospice services are also available and build on hospice care provided by the pet’s primary veterinarian. “For some pets, the trip to the vet’s office increases adrenaline, which causes them to act differently than they do at home,” explains Huber. “By observing pets in their homes, I’m able to collect additional information and possibly offer a second opinion for pet owners to consider.”

Huber prescribes medications when beneficial and offers alternatives to care for owners to discuss with their primary veterinarian. “Mostly, my aim is to provide the owners with an assessment of whether their pets are still enjoying life,” he shares.

Ginger Volpone used Till We Meet Again hospice services for her 16-year-old dog Izzy. She says, “It was so helpful to have Mark and Stacey come to my home. After evaluating my pet, they offered suggestions on improving her quality of life, which has enabled me to enjoy more time with her.”

Following a pet’s death, Till We Meet Again offers both private and communal cremation. If private cremation is chosen, Stacey delivers the ashes to owners in a beautifully crafted wood box within two weeks. “We work with families throughout the entire process of saying good-bye to their pets. We want families to feel that their pets were respected and cared for at all times,” she says.

“Our services are a final act of compassion for pets and owners alike,” adds Huber.