Green Pastures Veterinary Services

03/24/2023

This past year has been SO rewarding! Dr. Sheila has been able to help so many families say "See you later" to their four-legged family members in the comfort of their own homes and yards. She has also been able to collaborate with MANY veterinary clinics through her relief veterinary services.
Effective March 9th, 2023, Dr. Sheila will no longer be offering relief veterinary services as she has taken on a permanent general practitioner role.
Dr. Sheila will continue to offer at-home euthanasia services for the forseeable future.
Thank you for a successful first year of business for Green Pastures Veterinary Services! Please let us know how we can best serve your family. 🐾🩺

06/20/2022

This is a great info graphic on Heartworm disease!
Please talk to your vet about this very preventable disease before it's too late!

Learning about heartworms is as easy as A-B-C.

06/03/2022

It was a beautiful day for a ribbon cutting! Thank you Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce for the event and other local businesses for the warm welcome!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=380291884128410&id=100064428054221&sfnsn=mo

05/23/2022

Question: What is a relief veterinarian?

Answer: A veterinarian who offers short-term respite to the regular veterinarian.

Sometimes veterinarians need to leave their clinic for a period of time. Whether it is for medical, professional, or personal reasons, I offer temporary services to fill-in while they are away. Services may include wellness and sick visits, surgery, repro, nutrition, behavior, etc., and small or large animal. I do my best to provide quality care that matches the high standard the regular veterinarian has established.
This allows the regular vet to take care of business away from the clinic or just enjoy some well-deserved time away.
So, this is how I spend my time when I am not serving in the at-home euthanasia capacity. If you're in western KY, you may see me pop into your exam room one day!

05/03/2022

Question: What does an at-home euthanasia appointment entail?

Answer: I'm going to be very transparent with this post. I strive to be very clear and honest while also being caring and compassionate with my clients.

Our time together typically begins with a phone conversation. We begin with you telling me a little bit about your pet and we have a quality-of-life discussion. If we determine that at-home euthanasia is a good option, I will send you an estimate for services. This would be the appropriate time for you to indicate if you prefer cremation or an at-home burial.
On the day of the appointment, before my arrival, and if your pet is able, I recommend a brief walk to allow them to go to the bathroom (as some pets get nervous when being sedated if they feel their bladder or colon are full). If your pet is immobile, we will take special care to attend to this need prior to sedation. I also recommend to have other pets put into another quiet space for the appointment (or off-site briefly) if they will disturb the peace.
I will calmly and quietly arrive and enter your home. We will briefly take care of paperwork and payment, so that we can 100% focus on your family and your pet for the remainder of our time together. If your pet has an appetite, I always have some tasty treats readily available. Prior to the end-of-life injection, I will administer at least 1 injection to your pet that will sedate them. We can be wherever you and your pet are most comfortable. We will then transition (if needed) to a place outside or in your home where your pet can comfortably lie down as they will become very sleepy within 5-10 minutes. Once I feel they are in a good plane of sedation, I will let you know that I am about to administer the injection that will stop their heart. I will then ensure that your pet has passed and verbalize that to you.
If I am taking your pet for cremation, I will give you some time together alone. If you opted for an at-home burial, I will be happy to help you move them if needed. For cremation, I will then take your pet to a special "green pasture" in my vehicle and deliver them to the crematory. We will discuss options for how you can retrieve their cremains.
I have relationships with two local funeral homes who are trustworthy and do a beautiful job preparing your pet. Additionally, there are some lovely options for beautiful urns, jewelry, and other artwork, should you be interested in a special memorial for your pet.
It is always my goal to make this experience as gentle, easy, and peaceful for your family as possible. I am open to answer all of your questions. The description above is for small animal patients. I do take care of large animals as well. You can expect the same compassion and attention to detail, but the process and a few details are a bit different.
If we can help you with an end-of-life situation for your pet please call 270-227-0448 or email [email protected].

Picture of the special "green pastures" where your pet will take their final ride. ❤🩺🐾

04/23/2022

Question: How many doctors do you have? Who are they?

Answer: We're so glad you asked! We currently have one doctor on staff: Dr. Sheila Wilson Phillips.

Dr. Sheila grew up on a family farm in the small town of Glencoe, KY. She found her home-away-from home in Murray, KY, and attended Murray State University, graduating magna cm laude with a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture in 2011. Following graduation, she attended Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2015. While at AUCVM, Dr. Sheila received awards for both compassionate care of critical small animal patients, as well as for excellence on food animal clinics.
Dr. Sheila has been in the veterinary clinic setting for over 16 years, spending the last six in a rural, mixed animal practice in western Kentucky. She enjoys the variety that a career in veterinary medicine offers and meeting new people.
Green Pastures Veterinary Services was born from a desire to serve and help families during a very delicate time and provide an opportunity for pets to pass peacefully in the comfort of their own home. Additionally, Dr. Sheila offers relief veterinary services to veterinarians in western Kentucky, allowing them to step away from their clinic when needed.
Whether in your home or at a veterinary clinic, Dr. Sheila will strive for honest, quality service, and compassionate care.
Thank you for taking a little time to learn more about us.
If we can be of service in any of these ways, please reach out at 270-227-0448 or [email protected]. 🐾🩺

04/15/2022

Question: So, what is an at-home euthanasia?

Answer: Well, simply, it is euthanasia at home.

"Euthanasia" means "good death", so we have the opportunity to end suffering and provide rest for our patients in the comfort of your home. Does "Max" like to lay in front of the fireplace? Great. Does "Clancy" love being held? Perfect. Does "Marley" really enjoy laying under the tree in the backyard? I'm there.
You see, as veterinarians, in the clinic we do our very best to provide an environment conducive to peaceful end-of-life care. However, with all the extra people, sounds and smells, we just can't replicate the serene atmosphere your pet feels at home. So, we meet them, right where they are, with all the familiar smells, sights, and sounds that comfort them most, and you, their family, right beside them.
If you are in the western Kentucky area and we can help you in this way, please give us a call at 270-227-0448 or email [email protected].

04/09/2022

Hello and welcome to Green Pastures Veterinary Services! 🩺🐾

If you are currently experiencing an end-of-life situation with a pet, you have found a soft place to land. We understand that the decision to euthanize a pet can be very challenging and isn't "one size fits all." We will do our best to assist you with recognizing certain pet behaviors that may be indicative of decline by beginning with a quality-of-life discussion. From there, if you choose, we can proceed with an at-home euthanasia appointment.

We are here to HELP your family navigate a difficult and unique time. ❤
Call or email us to get started. Inquiries over the weekend will be answered on Monday. If you have an emergency, please contact your regular veterinarian as we are unable to accommodate emergency situations.