
Today, Christmas Eve, we made the incredibly difficult decision to have our 14-year-old dog put to sleep. When I eventually managed to get through to this practice, I explained that I believed we needed to proceed with euthanasia.
The response I received from the receptionist was cold, transactional, and completely devoid of empathy. I was asked what was wrong with my dog, given appointment times in a blunt manner, and the call ended abruptly without a single expression of compassion, guidance, or acknowledgement of the situation. It felt like booking a routine appointment, not discussing the end of a much-loved family member’s life.
What made this experience even more distressing is the contrast with another veterinary practice I spoke to, who were calm, gentle, and compassionate, carefully explaining what to expect and taking care not to overwhelm me while I was clearly distressed.
I raised my concerns with the practice owner, James who told me he was “happy with how his receptionist spoke” to me. I find that deeply troubling. If this interaction represents acceptable communication standards for end-of-life conversations at this practice, then pet owners should be aware of that before placing their trust in them at one of the hardest moments they will ever face.
I was not asking for special treatment, just basic human kindness. On Christmas Eve, while facing the loss of my dog, that was not provided.
Plenty of other amazing, caring vets in the area. I would avoid this practice at all costs. This is not the first poor experience we have had here, but it will certainly be the last.