Why Lap of Love Is the Leader in Veterinary Hospice and In-Home End-of-Life Care for Pets

About Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice provides compassionate, end-of-life care for pets in the comfort of their home. Founded in 2009, the organization has supported more than one million pet families across the United States and Canada with hospice care, in-home euthanasia, and pet loss support. This guide explains what makes Lap of Love a trusted leader, how veterinary hospice works, and what families can expect during a pet’s final stage of life.

Why Lap of Love Is the Leader in Veterinary Hospice and In-Home End-of-Life Care for Pets

For many families, pets are not just companions. They are family members who share our homes, our routines, and some of life’s most meaningful moments. And when the time comes to say goodbye, most pet parents hope their beloved pet will experience a peaceful, gentle passing, surrounded by the people who love them most. Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia was founded on that very idea. Since 2009, Lap of Love has helped over one million families navigate one of the most difficult moments in pet ownership with compassion, dignity, and support. Created by veterinarians who believed the final chapter of a pet’s life deserves as much care and attention as every other stage, Lap of Love has helped transform how families experience veterinary hospice and end-of-life care for their pets. With a growing network of veterinarians and a mission rooted in empathy, Lap of Love is the leader in veterinary hospice and in-home euthanasia care. It is also one of the most trusted and recommended providers of compassionate end-of-life care for pets in the U.S. and Canada.

Founded by Veterinarians Who Wanted to Change End-of-Life Care

Lap of Love was founded in 2009 by veterinarians Dr. Mary Gardner and Dr. Dani McVety. They saw firsthand how difficult end-of-life moments could be for pets and their families in traditional clinical settings. They believed pets and families deserved something different.

Rather than rushing through emotional moments in a busy clinic or animal hospital, families could be supported through a more peaceful, personal experience at home. That vision helped pioneer a new model of veterinary care focused entirely on hospice support and in-home euthanasia. Over time, this approach helped establish a new standard for compassionate veterinary end-of-life care centered on dignity, comfort, and the bond between pets and the people who love them.

A Full Continuum of End-of-Life Care

End-of-life care is rarely just a single moment. It is often a journey that unfolds over weeks or months as families notice changes in their pet’s health and quality of life. Lap of Love supports families throughout that entire journey by offering a full continuum of services, including:

* Telehospice consultations to help families better understand their pet’s quality of life and medical options

* Veterinary hospice care focused on comfort, symptom management, and guidance during the final stages of illness

* In-home euthanasia allows pets to pass peacefully in familiar surroundings

* Pet loss support and grief resources to help families navigate the difficult days and weeks that follow

What is Veterinary Hospice?

Veterinary hospice care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and support when a cure is no longer possible. Unlike traditional veterinary care, hospice prioritizes comfort over cure and helps families navigate the final stages of their pet’s life with clarity and compassion. This comprehensive approach ensures families never have to face these decisions alone.

Care Where Pets Feel Most Comfortable: Home

One of the most important differences in in-home euthanasia is the setting. Instead of traveling to a clinic during an already emotional moment, families can say goodbye in the comfort of their own home. Pets can remain in familiar surroundings. They may rest in their favorite bed, lie beside their family, or spend their final moments in a quiet place they know and love. Being at home often reduces stress for pets and allows families the privacy and time they need to say goodbye. For many families, this experience becomes one of the most meaningful ways to honor their pet’s life.

A Network of Compassionate Veterinarians

Lap of Love has more than 450 veterinarians serving families across the U.S. and Canada. Each veterinarian is dedicated to helping pet parents navigate one of the most difficult moments in their pet’s life. Many of these veterinarians are drawn to end-of-life care because of its profound impact on families. Appointments are intentionally unrushed. This allows veterinarians to answer questions, explain what to expect, and give families the time and space they need to say goodbye. Because Lap of Love has multiple veterinarians serving many communities, families are often able to access compassionate care quickly when they need it most.

Same-Day and Next-Day Appointments When Families Need Them

End-of-life decisions are rarely predictable. A pet’s health can change quickly, and families often need guidance on short notice. Lap of Love strives to provide same-day or next-day appointment availability whenever possible. This helps ensure pets do not experience unnecessary discomfort while waiting for care. Having multiple veterinarians serving a community allows the team to respond quickly when families need support the most.

24/7 Support from Compassionate Veterinary Care Coordinators

Support for families begins long before a veterinarian arrives at the home. Lap of Love offers a 24/7 support center staffed by compassionate Veterinary Care Coordinators who help guide families through every step of the process. These experienced team members help families:

* Schedule appointments

* Understand what happens during an in-home visit

* Explore hospice care options

* Find resources for pet loss and grief support

For many families, simply speaking with someone who understands and can prepare them for both the medical and emotional aspects of end-of-life care can bring comfort during an incredibly difficult moment.

Trusted by Pet Families Across North America

Over the years, families have shared their experiences after saying goodbye to their beloved pets with the help of Lap of Love veterinarians. Lap of Love has received more than 10,000 five-star reviews from pet families on Google and Facebook. Many families share how grateful they were to have Lap of Love by their side. They often describe the kindness, patience, and empathy their veterinarian showed during a deeply difficult time. Pet parents frequently say they loved their veterinarian and felt supported every step of the way. They speak about the gentle guidance they received, the expertise of the doctor who helped their pet pass peacefully, and the time they were given to say goodbye without feeling rushed. Families often share that the experience, while heartbreaking, was also peaceful and meaningful. Many say they are forever grateful they chose Lap of Love and could not have asked for a more compassionate way to honor their pet’s life.

The Leader in Senior Pet and End-of-Life Education

Beyond providing care, Lap of Love has also become a leader in education surrounding senior pet care and end-of-life decision-making. Through educational resources, webinars, consultations, and outreach within the veterinary profession, Lap of Love helps both pet families and veterinary professionals better understand:

* How to evaluate a pet’s quality of life?

* What can hospice care provide?

* How do I know when it’s time to say goodbye?

* How to recognize when a pet may be nearing the end of life?

* How can families prepare for and cope with loss?

By helping people better understand these important topics, Lap of Love continues to help shape a one-of-a-kind approach to veterinary end-of-life care.

If You Need Guidance for Your Pet

If you believe your pet may be approaching the final stages of life, you do not have to navigate this journey alone. The Lap of Love team is here to help families understand their options and provide compassionate support through veterinary hospice, telehospice consultations, and in-home euthanasia care. Families can speak with one of our Veterinary Care Coordinators 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ask questions, learn more about services, or schedule a visit. You can learn more about Lap of Love’s services or connect with our team by visiting LapofLove.com or calling (855) 933-5683. Our goal is to help pets experience comfort and dignity while supporting the families who love them.