Melissa Shapiro, DVM

Home
Melissa Shapiro, DVM

Veterinarian, Speaker, Author, Educator
Advocate for disabled rescued pets,
Quality of life, end of life care for pets.

Co-creator of the Piglet Mindset Educational Program which is supported by the nonprofit Piglet International Inc. We teach children to be resilient, inclusive, and kind with free online educational materials that feature my dog Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy. Piglet is a very positive dog who is an amazing growth mindset teaching model for children and adults! Piglet and our 7 other rescued do

gs set an example for being accepting, inclusive, and kind, which is why we call them Piglet's Inclusion Pack. Visit our website PigletMindset.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. My veterinary house call practice offers in home end of life veterinary care for dogs and cats in lower Fairfield County, CT. (FB page- Melissa Shapiro, DVM, website- visitingvetservice.com). I offer in home quality of life consulting, short and long term in home hospice care, and in home euthanasia services for dogs and cats. As animals near the end of their lives we provide families and their pets with comfort, palliative therapy, and if appropriate, euthanasia in their own homes. When possible, meeting with families and patients prior to a euthanasia visit allows for a smooth transition to the final visit. Assessment of older dogs and cats in their home gives a more realistic view of how they are doing and what they need than when they are brought in to an animal hospital. I am available to consult with families when they have questions about quality of life, keeping their pets comfortable and happy for as long as possible, and the timing of euthanasia for their geriatric or ill pets. I am sensitive to the concerns and emotions of the family during this difficult time and will work closely with the regular veterinarian as the need arises. For more information about our practice, visit our website, visitingvetservice.com or e-mail [email protected].

19/08/2026

I completely understand when clients decline a work up for their very old dogs and cats. Diagnostics may not even help us know what's going on with their pet and many times won't change our treatment plan.

That's all good. We can work around "not knowing". But there's one major problem with this approach which happens frequently.

Even tho they are very clear about NOT doing any tests, many people still really do want to know what's going on and continue to ask their veterinarian what's "probably" going on!

I do my best to give helpful answers but it is exhausting to have to give examples of the many scenarios that could be causing their pet's decline, over and over, without helpful diagnostics that would give real answers.

A simple blood test can shed light on many possible diagnoses. Sometimes results are normal which seems to churn people up, not realizing that we have now ruled out many issues.

There are also many possible disease conditions that are treatable which is a goal of mine. I feel awful missing easily treatable problems using the rationale that dogs and cats are too old so we won't do anything anyway.

I'm giving a talk about this very topic on Sunday night bc I think it's so important for pet parents to realize the value of testing even in senior pets. I also go over reasons NOT to do any tests so it's a balanced view of options.

My sincere advice- Always talk to your veterinarian before making a decision not to seek vet care bc you feel your pet is too old.🩷

18/08/2026

We traveled to Maine with 4 dogs. Obviously, this is not a time away from the norm bc we brought the norm with us. And we wouldn't have it any other way. At least one of us wouldn't!

We didn't take a lot of pics. There were so many moments, but I really just wanted to be there in the moment. And also, our little brown dog Zoey was very sick for 2 of the days so I was a bit stressed.

A lot of people travel with their dogs. We are not unique. But one thing that does happen for us is that we wear Piglet Mindset shirts wherever we go. That is the name of our education program. We teach children to be positive, compassionate and kind through the story of our resilient, deaf blind dog Piglet and our many other rescued dogs.

Aside from how precious the dogs are, those shirts create opportunities to discuss so many aspects of disabled rescued dogs and our Piglet Mindset School Visit Program.

Thanks to everyone who stopped to talk to us about our precious little dogs.🩷🩷🩷

Our extra special Dogs truly bring a whole new dimension to travel and spending time with them.

My point is only that while we don't have a conventional vacation where we eat in fancy restaurants and stay in beautiful hotels, we have an awesome time because we bring our dogs. We love them dearly.🩷

Who travels with and prioritizes their dogs like we do?

14/08/2026

When traveling with dogs, be sure to know where local vet hospitals are located in the case of an emergency.

And be sure to bring vaccine and important medical records along with you, just in case!

12/08/2026

Yesterday we traveled to Maine with four of our little dogs. Two are deaf blind, one is half blind, labels ans one has a permanent foot injury which benefits from a custom made brace.

Many would think it takes tons of prep to pack and get the dogs ready for their potentially stressful adventures to new places.

But the reality is that my disabled dogs can't wait to get on the road. They have traveled all around the country by plane, train, and car. They don't need calming supplements or special comfort pillows. They literally thrive on having the opportunity to explore new places and meet new people.

I hope these precious pups will motivate you to adopt dogs like them. Don't be intimidated by labels and fear of not being able to provide good care to them. And definitely lose the assumptions that they will be a burden you can't handle.

Of course they won't be a burden unless you decide that's how you should feel. Once you realize how extraordinary dogs like these are, you will be inclined to adopt a second and third like we have!

🩷🩷🩷

07/08/2026

We had company today. One of my teacher friends who has been teaching her students about Piglet since 2018 came over with her two sons.

It was a really nice visit. Our dogs love company. Piglet was delighted bc he knows my friend well after all these years.

But it was also a reminder that little Evie is missing and she won't be here for our school visits in the upcoming new school year.

I've had some pretty hard losses but this could be the most difficult of all. Evie came everywhere with me from the time she arrived at JFK the day after Thanksgiving on 2012. She joined Gina and then Zoey for the first edition of the travel team. She also came in my car to work with me every day unless the weather was too extreme.

I literally can't do anything without being reminded of her absence. From going to the bathroom in the morning, walking dogs, feeding dogs, giving treats to dogs, doing training with the dogs, having people over our house, going in the car to work and the store, traveling, and going to schools, she is missed throughout each day.

Some moments are more upsetting than others. Today was a bad reminder day.

We are going to Maine next week for the first time without Evie in 14 years. Packing the car without her raincoat, bowl, and blankets will be rough. Driving without her in the back seat is brutal.

I know it will take time and all of this will be diluted by more good and also loss. But right now, this is pretty much what I expected. I am still feeling absolutely crushed after 9 weeks.🩷

04/08/2026

As a house call/end of life veterinarian, I hear lots of pet parents reasoning that "it's not worth doing bloodwork at this point bc I'm not going to do anything about any abnormalities anyway".

While this is completely understandable in some situations, diagnostics in old animals with known kidney disease, mobility issues, heart failure, or cancer, can be very helpful in changing palliative care, and understanding prognosis.

Blood values can change very quickly in older dogs. A normal panel 3 weeks ago is not an assurance that everything is ok now. So if your dog is still enjoying some quality of life, but things are changing, I highly recommend taking a look to see what's going on now.

Many of the medications we use for older dog illness can cause metabolic changes that might require adjustments in dosing and treatment plans. A dog who is drinking more and having more accidents in the house might have a treatable urinary tract infection, or diabetes, or worsening kidney failure. A dog with heart failure that isn't eating as usual might be dehydrated from diuretics. We can adjust dosing and offer supportive care.

Radiographs can reveal masses, pneumonia, an enlarged heart, bladder stones, or arthritic joints that can be treated with laser therapy. Some of these findings can be treated!

Of course we always take individual situations into account when recommending diagnostics for older dogs. If a dog is clearly at the very end, the last thing we are going to do is put them through a stressful vet hospital visit and ask the pet parent to invest hundreds of dollars, when we are truly already doing everything we can for their dog. Some people have financial and ethical limitations that dictate decisions as well.

It's important for pet parents to discuss each situation with their vet so they understand the value of diagnostics and can make an educated decision about how to move forward with their senior or chronically ill dog.

03/08/2026

When I am called to euthanize an older or sick dog or cat, one of the most common concerns pet parents have is for the other pets in the family.

Should they be present, leave and then come back in to witness their friend before I take them for cremation or burial, or should they be removed altogether? How will they react in the short and long term to the loss of their dog or cat sibling?

The answer- it really depends on the individual dogs and cats. Some are bonded, and some have nothing to do with each other than they live in the same house. Some are wild and crazy and others are calm and will be present without interfering.

Afterward, some are very well aware and others are oblivious.

Short term, most animals notice the loss bc we are grieving and they miss the presence of the other pet in one way or another.

But some, like Annie, the little yellow dog in the first pic of this carousel, are extra sensitive and never recover.

She was strongly bonded to our Susie, Dean, Gina, and Evie. They have all passed and each one has left Annie a little more lost. She is still looking over at Evie's bed by the back door almost every time she walks into the house, especially at night when Evie would sleep there. It is heartbreaking to witness.

Yet, she has found comfort in bonding with our Lucy Lemonade. She lays next to her on the couch, in the yard, and in the car. It is deliberate and so important for her. She is a shy dog and needs a dog friend to be with her all the time.

Zoey misses Evie and so does little Rubles.

It's hard to say how Georgie feels about the loss of the other dogs bc he is so quiet. But he is very attached to Lucy and he was good friends with all the others. No doubt he misses them.

And Piglet- I'm sure that he still longs for his big sister Susan. He loved her so deeply. He has brought back many of the play and dog bed routines he had with her now, 5 years later, bc I think he finally realizes that she's not coming back and he loved those routines.

I always like to hear experiences others have had with their dog families in these very sad but sweet situations.

30/07/2026

Sometimes there are so so many reasons to say no. It's an obvious no brainer choice due to current circumstances and belief that we can't do anymore than what we are already contending with.

But, sometimes no is not an option and we don't even realize why.

Here are the original, pivotal, life-changing pictures and emails that led me down an unexpected path I never could have predicted. I desperately did not want another dog, yet, no was just not feeling right.

My new motto:
Capacity expands when your purpose is clear.

In this case the purpose was to help a tiny disabled puppy. It seemed very simple. Yet nothing is ever as it seems.

The story of Piglet's rescue and life along with mine is written over and over in my book and online with pages of Piglet links you can find if you google Piglet the dog.

For here- my point is that when you feel like no is the only answer, step back and reconsider. You never know what that yes will bring you!

29/07/2026

My career choice was made at the age of 6 and I never wavered from that decision. Everything revolved around achieving the goal and once the DVM degree was a reality, I moved forward into an awesome life as a veterinarian.

But my original career plan fell to a completely different choice which I questioned a little bit along the way. But every time I did, I came back to realizing that a house call practice suited my strengths and practice style.

Most of all, my house call practice allowed me the most flexibility of any job. I was able to have kids and care for them myself. I hired exceptional babysitters and was able to fit my hours around doctor appts, school functions, college visits, concerts, camp visits, and whatever else my kids were doing, within reason. I put in good solid full time hours, but I could bend my schedule when needed to also be a mom. I also have an awesome husband!🩷

In the end, I have no practice to sell, but I still have the ultimate flexibility to keep working while pursuing other opportunities. I run my own nonprofit, a school program for kids, a rescue fund, and still get to walk my dogs every day! I have been featured in people magazine and got a book deal with two published books!

Looking back at my original career plan and where I ended up- I'm glad I was flexible and willing to compromise and improvise along the way.

I feel very lucky that I got to be a veterinarian in the most awesome way. And I still am!

Address

Website

https://www.visitingvetservice.com/vet-school-for-kids

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Melissa Shapiro, DVM posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Melissa Shapiro, DVM:

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City: