16/03/2025
💡 How Home Vet NI Started 💡
Those of you who have been following us for a while will know this story, but I wanted to reshare as it was our 4 year anniversary yesterday, and it is important to remember why we do this difficult job.
It all started with Chico. My dad's 'feisty' bandy legged, one-eyed Jack Russell. My mum and dad bottle fed him from he was only a few hours old after he was rejected by his mother. He wasn't keen on many people, but he was my dad's shadow. They were inseparable. Their bond was so special.
But after 13 years, Chico grew old and grey. His crooked legs were getting sore. He was getting thin and tired. His quality of life was deteriorating.
However, it was 2020 and we were in the middle of a global pandemic. I was shielding with my newborn baby and vulnerable family. My dad really didn't want to take Chico to the vet as it would stress him out so much, but no vet could come out. So he waited until I could come to his home. Eventually, restrictions were eased, and I could go to their house and help bring peace to Chico.
It was just my mum and dad and Chico in their home, cuddled together in front of the fire. Chico passed so peacefully in familiar surroundings, knowing how loved he was. It was the perfect send-off for such a faithful companion.
Afterwards, my dad asked me why that wasn't an option for everyone. He had held on waiting for me as he couldn't bring Chico into the vets, and he felt that should be an option open to everyone.
Well, that sparked an idea 💡. I had thought about it before when my own dog Lola passed but wasn't brave enough to go out alone. But I wanted to do it, in honour of Chico and the special bond he had with my dad.
And so Home Vet NI was born with a lot of help and encouragement behind the scenes from my husband Barry.
Here we are 4 years later. My little idea sparked by my dad has expanded into a team of vets who are passionate about giving people all over NI the option to say goodbye to their pets at home with dignity.
Someone said in the comments yesterday that we 'made a very difficult time into a beautiful memory their family will cherish'. I am so proud of that 💖
💙 RIP Chico 💙
