Heaven at Home Pet Hospice

02/20/2025

Today is , so make sure to give your fur baby extra attention and (healthy) treats to thank them for always being there for you! A majority of American households have some kind of pet, but did you know they have a measurable effect on our well-being? That's something worth celebrating too!

Check out these four benefits in our Resource Center: https://www.pethospicevet.com/four-reasons-to-be-thankful-for-your-companion-animal/

02/20/2025

Join Dr. Kim Barnes, DVM of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice as she guides you through teaching your senior dog to go from a sitting position to standing in the second part of the Movement Is Medicine series! Subscribe for more senior pet tips!

Be sure to subscribe on YouTube and TikTok for more senior pet tips!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbDQyMDTNWI
https://www.tiktok.com/

Join Dr. Kim Barnes, DVM of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice as she guides you through teaching your senior dog to go from a sitting position to standing in the se...

02/18/2025

This week is , an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about animal abuse: how to identify and report it, and how to rally your community to create stronger laws and enforcement.

National Today shares the story of Katarina the Pitbull: Law enforcement officers rescued her from a horrendous puppy mill, and she's now on the long road to recovery in a happy new home. They also shared Chuck the duck's success story — he's one of the 150 animals rescued from terrible conditions by Animal Rescue Corps.

These stories inspire hope, but they have more in common: Katarina and Chuck are some of the official representatives of National Justice for Animals Week. Their cases show us the power of collective action to make a lasting impact on animals in need.

Learn more about the project on the Animal Legal Defense Fund's website: https://aldf.org/project/national-justice-for-animals-week/

02/13/2025

Make sure you give Fido a lovely Valentine tomorrow; he or she may be giving your heart a healthy boost! A growing body of evidence suggests that having a dog may help with heart health by lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels and even reducing mortality after cardiac events.

One study published recently reviewed patient data from more than 3.8 million people in 10 separate studies. Compared to non-owners, dog owners had a 24% reduced risk of dying from any cause; a 31% reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular-related issues; and a 65% reduced risk dying after a heart attack.

"Owning dogs has previously been linked to better mental health and feeling less lonely, which are both thought to decrease the risk of heart attacks," said Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice. "While this new body of research doesn't prove causality, it certainly furthers the connection."

Read more about it in our Resource Center: https://www.pethospicevet.com/the-pet-effect-dogs-may-help-heart-health/

02/12/2025

Heaven at Home Pet Hospice is known in the Grand Rapids area for its compassionate end-of-life care and peaceful passings. But did you know our Aftercare Center offers water cremation and memorialization items to keep your fur baby forever near? Learn More here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/services/aftercare-and-grief-counseling-2/

02/07/2025

Heaven at Home sends their sincere condolences to Diesel's family as they mourn his recent passing. We're so thankful that they shared their experience with us in our Memorial section:

"It was absolutely devastating to have to say goodbye to our sweet boy but the staff at Heaven at Home Pet Hospice made the process smooth."

You can see the full post here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/memorial/diesel/

If Heaven at Home helped your pet pass peacefully at home, consider creating a memorial post on our site. Sharing your grief can help ease the pain of their passing, as well as the pain of others who may feel isolated after the loss of their furry companion.

See more memorials like Diesel's or send in your own here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/memorial/

02/06/2025

Heaven at Home proudly offers Aquamation, a gentler alternative to flame cremation or natural burial. This water-based cremation process simulates what happens in nature but on a much faster timetable. Cremains may be returned to pet parents in much the same way as with flame-based cremation, to be stored in an urn or incorporated into keepsakes.

Learn more about Aquamation from Heaven at Home here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/services/aftercare-and-grief-counseling-2/

02/05/2025

Need some guidance for keeping your fur baby active as they age? Join Dr. Kim Barnes, DVM of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice as she gives some pointers for walking your senior dog in the first part of the Movement Is Medicine series!

Be sure to subscribe on YouTube and TikTok for more senior pet tips!
https://youtu.be/4lNnfi7RU4k
https://www.tiktok.com/

Join Dr. Kim Barnes, DVM of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice as she gives some pointers for walking your senior dog in the first part of the Movement Is Medicine s...

02/04/2025

It's National Golden Retriever Day, a day celebrating one of the most popular dog breeds in the US, and for good reason. Their calm temperament, intelligence, and playfulness make them ideal additions to any family. They also make excellent service dogs too!

02/04/2025

Today is World CancerDay, a day created to raise awareness about prevention, detection, and treatment of all types of cancers. Cancer isn't just a human disease, it can affect all living things including pets.

Early detection is the key to positive outcomes, so we don't recommend putting off that blood test for your senior dog or cat, but in cases where the prognosis isn't so good, Heaven at Home can make your fur baby's remaining time more comfortable.

Take a look at our resource center for more information about cancer in pets: https://www.pethospicevet.com/?s=cancer

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01/31/2025

Arthritis is a debilitating condition that affects senior dogs, causing pain and discomfort that can greatly diminish their quality of life. Fortunately, advancements in veterinary medicine have introduced promising treatments like Librela, a novel medication designed to alleviate these symptoms.

Librela is part of a newer class of drugs known as disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) that target the underlying causes of arthritis, rather than merely masking symptoms. The active ingredient in Librela is known as "arti-antagonist," which works by inhibiting the production of inflammatory molecules and promoting joint health.

Learn more about Librela here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/the-benefits-of-librela-for-arthritis-in-dogs/

01/30/2025

Many of us may have made new years resolutions to eat healthier and more balanced diets in 2025, but what about our pets? Switching to a more expensive food isn't always the answer.

Cooking for your pet is a great way to evaluate what goes into your fur baby's dish every day, as their diet is the foundation of their health as they age. For nutrition guidance, take a look at this article in our resource center:
https://www.pethospicevet.com/balanceit-a-unique-approach-to-nutrition-for-companion-animals/

01/29/2025

Heaven at Home believes every pet deserves a peaceful passing at home, surrounded by their family. Though, we understand that this isn't always possible for every pet parent. That's why we created the Herkemer Fund, named for our founder Dr. Laurie Brush's original companion. Donations offer a helping hand to pet parents who need it in West Michigan - offsetting the costs of home euthanasia.

To learn more and make a donation, click here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/donate-to-the-herkemer-fund/

01/28/2025

Saying goodbye to a beloved companion animal is one of the hardest things a pet parent faces. Whether the goodbye is a natural occurrence or a peaceful euthanasia, pet parents historically have only had the options of burial or flame cremation. Flame-based pet cremation has the unfortunate impact of a sizable carbon footprint due to the carbon dioxide the flaming chambers release.

Water cremation – also known as Aquamation – offers pet owners a futuristic, planet-friendly alternative. Grand Rapids is home to one of approximately 400 worldwide pet aquamation facilities, and that number is on the rise as environmental awareness increases.

Learn more about Aquamation here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/water-cremation-the-wave-of-the-future-for-eco-friendly-pet-parents/

01/22/2025

Cat's have a lot to say to their staff (pet parents,) especially around mealtime! Today is , a day where we seek to understand the ways our cats communicate with us, whether and abrupt, overt, "I'm hungry!" or a very subtle "my joints ache."

We have many articles in our Resource Center to help understand the needs of senior cats and improve their quality of life. Here's one of the ones we find most helpful: https://www.pethospicevet.com/kitty-grimace-your-feline-may-be-in-pain/

01/21/2025

It's , and while any reason is a good reason to cuddle up with your furry companions, the chilly weather today is definitely up there!

Today is all about appreciating the ways our pets enrich our lives. Learn more about the benefits in our resource center: https://www.pethospicevet.com/four-reasons-to-be-thankful-for-your-companion-animal/

01/20/2025

Today is , but with temperatures plummeting across West Michigan, it might be a good idea to skip the daily walk with the dog until things warm up a little.

Cold weather is especially challenging for senior dogs, and while keeping them moving is important, temperatures this low can be dangerous. Learn how to make the best determination for when to keep your pet inside here: https://www.pethospicevet.com/keeping-your-senior-pet-warm-this-winter/