Testimonials
Today we lost a best friend. Our boy Zeke had a wonderful, fulfilling and loving life from the day we adopted him from the Humane Society in 2002 up to today when we had to put him to rest.
We can't express our gratitude to your staff for expressing such compassion and professionalism during this tough time. Dr. Benner and Rob were the consummate professionals and made his passing very comfortable and peaceful.
Thank You!
Scott & Tracey M
Over the last year, Rob and Amy Lauver at Golden Lake Recreational Pet Camp provided loving care for Olivia, our failing, 15-year-old German Shorthair Pointer, when we were out of town.
During that time Rob, Amy and I had many discussions on aging pets, holistic and traditional treatments for their health challenges, and the options available to loving pet owners as our beloved companions lose their youth, health, and quality of life. It's not an easy topic for any pet owner to engage in. Rob's educated, passionate commitment to the correct and responsible care of animals in life and in death made the conversations educational, as well as, inspirational.
Through these conversations I also gained an awakened understanding of the in-home pet euthanasia and personal pet cremation services provided by Peaceful Pet Passages. Rob created this service company, in partnership with Veterinarian Dr. Deb Benner, as a more comfortable, dignified, and documented alternative to the "less than transparent" pet euthanasia and cremation practices made available through other sources.
As this past summer wore on Olivia's health continued to deteriorate. I, like every other pet owner who doesn't want to face the fact that your trusted companion may soon no longer be with you, kept looking for remedies to help Olivia have more good days than bad, walk freely in the grass, or be able to navigate the stairs to spend one more day with me in my office.
Dr. Davis, Olivia's vet, supported me in my efforts with appropriate pain medications and nutritional alternatives that brought Olivia some relief. The doctor also reminded me that we are our companion's keeper and are entrusted with the responsibility of the true quality of their life.
I prayed that when the time came for Olivia to leave us that nature would be kind and let her slip into that good night peacefully in her sleep. I didn't want to be faced with the decision of sending her off across that rainbow bridge before I knew it was her time to go.
Rob and I had talked several times about the importance and responsibility of my making an overwhelmingly painful decision before allowing what seemed to be an impending catastrophic health event to occur and cause Olivia great and unnecessary suffering.
On the evening of July 29th, the day that Olivia's muscular control failed to the point of her no longer being able to stand or walk without falling, I found the strength to call Rob and say, "it's time, she can't do this anymore." He assured me that I was making the right decision for Olivia and that he and Dr. Deb would come out to our home in the morning.
The morning of June 30th, before they arrived, our family gathered around Olivia. We cuddled with her on her big dog bed in our bedroom sharing sentiments, memories, tears, and whispers of thanks to our loyal and loving family member and companion of 15 years.
Rob and Dr. Deb arrived and spent unhurried, empathetic, supportive time with us and Olivia, right there on the floor beside us, explaining that the first medication was an anesthesia much like the twilight sleep that a Dr. uses in humans for surgery which creates a sense of euphoria and wellness. Olivia would feel no anxiety or pain and be very relaxed.
Then when Olivia was fully relaxed and sedated, and we were ready, a second injection would be administered that would quickly and painlessly move through her old body causing her heart to stop beating and she would pass quietly and gently.
As was promised and our devoted companion deserved, the medications worked as described and our precious Olivia slipped into rest peacefully and quietly, comfortably draped across my lap, head resting in my arms, in her own bed, surrounded by the family that loved her.
After allowing us more time to hold her and say final goodbyes, Olivia was gently carried out to the waiting pet hearse on a small animal stretcher, wrapped in a blanket with her head on a pillow. She was given a private, documented cremation that afternoon. Her cremains were respectfully returned to us in small wooden box with an engraved nameplate.
Our family thanks and commends Rob Lauver and Dr. Deb Benner for having the knowledge, integrity, commitment, and fortitude to provide this compassionate and dignified service for loving, responsible pet owners and our deserving animal companions.
I personally give my deepest thanks to Rob for educating me and enabling me to find the courage to provide this final act of love and friendship for Olivia.
It is our family's hope that this personal account will help others facing this painful decision find the strength to do the right thing when the time comes for their beloved pets as well.
With Much Appreciation,
K.C. Wenger, Dan Dorsheimer and our Family
Two days before Christmas 2011, I learned the cause for my beloved Weezie's bloody nose and trouble breathing/eating was likely cancer in her nasal passages and sinuses. Steroids and antibiotics gave her a little relief and gave us our last Christmas together. By the 27th of December she had taken an obvious turn for the worse. I was told about Peaceful Pet Passage and called. John, Dr. Benner and Rob were incredibly gentle with both of us, and gave my Weezie a most loving and humane passage. I miss my girl terribly, and I still cry when I think of having to say goodbye - but I am grateful beyond words for being able to send her on the next part of her journey, without pain, surrounded by love and peace.
Shelly Shultz
Mike and I would like to thank Dr. Benner, Bob and John for your concern and compassion that you showed us in the services that you provided for our dear Taffy. We appreciate that you fit us in before the Christmas holiday at such short notice. We will definitely recommend you to others.
Marie Bowman
Thank you so much Dr. Beth for being there when Cassie (and us) really needed you. We are more grateful than you will ever know for helping our sweet girl cross over the rainbow bridge.
Melissa Harlin
Phil and I just wanted to thank you again for your kindness today in helping Gretchen pass over to the Rainbow Bridge. We really appreciated your professionalism but, mostly, your caring attitude towards us and Gretchen and Louie.
We're holding up as well as can be expected.�Time is a great healer.�We've been through this before and we'll go through it again but it's a small price to pay for all the joy and laughter our pets bring us.
The rescue where I volunteer is Animal Rescue, Inc.�If you get a chance, check out the website -- it has lots of photos of "the farm" and its history.
Thank you again and if you ever need a recommendation, please don't hesitate to use us.
Phil and Sandy Harrison
It is our wish that no one should ever have to take their loyal pet to a veterinarians office for that final act of love. We are so grateful that you were available to come to our home where, after spending the day picnicing with our handsome boy under our shade trees, we were able to say goodbye, peacefully and privately.
Your respectful treatment of his body after he had left it and the way he was placed into a soft, quilted, ruffled blanket was not lost on me. We are and will forever be grateful for the best goodbye memories possible and what truely was a peaceful passage.
Cynthia and Peter Ho
I lost my best friend on April 9th 2011, and I can't overstate how much the kindness and professionalism meant to my family and I during a very difficult time. I believe a pet should be somewhere safe and feel secure during their passing if it can't be naturally. Dr.Benner provides care and true compassion when helping our beloved friends cross to the bridge. I can't possibly thank her enough for what she did for me and my Kiyah. Thank you!
Dawn Reed
Thank you for bringing my Jackson home the same day as he passed. He never was away from home and he is now back with me. This service you offer is amazing. Comforting. Dignified. I thank you for how you respected my Jackson and how you respected my loss. I am at peace knowing he is at peace. Thank you for your blessed service.
Gwendolyn Hickey Babcock
One of the hardest decisions that our family has had to make was to allow our 12-year old dog Chloe to earn her well-deserved angel's wings on May 14, 2011. Chloe was able to earn those wings while peacefully laying in our arms, wrapped in her favorite blanket, surrounded by her family in the comfort of her own home. The event took a great emotional toll on our family and both Dr. Benner and the cremation service treated our family with the utmost respect and compassion while treating Chloe with dignity in her final earthly moments.
We cannot say enough about how invaluable Peaceful Pet Passages was for our entire family. You allowed us to let Chloe pass with no regrets and no questions about if we made the right decision at the right moment. In the end, Chloe was only living to please us finding her daily dose of spirit from the love she had for her family. As her family, we needed to let her go out of the same love we had for her and thanks to your service, she was able to pass comfortably and peacefully which was so very important to us.
We will be forever grateful for your services, kindness and sensitivity.
Thank you.
Tom & Kim Hoffecker
This is the service we used for Gretchen's euthanasia and cremation. I can't say enough good things about them. Dr. Elizabeth Carney was so very gentle and compassionate and John with the cremation service was equally gentle and compassionate. Dr. Carney can also be reached at yorkveterinaryhousecalls[at]gmail.com
I've attached a photo of Gretchen's memorial with the plaque they provided. They also add her name to their Memorial Wall.
The in-home pet euthanasia services are provided by Peaceful Pet Passage.
If you or someone you know is in need of their services, I recommend them highly and without hesitation.
Sandy Harrison