Our Services

Pet Hospice Care Veterinary Service in Lexington, SC

Learn more about the pet hospice care services we offer below.

Pet-hospice

Pet Hospice Care

The most difficult thing we do at Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital is to help people with the end of their pet’s life. We, too, have experienced the loss of a friend, both personally and through our patients. We understand your grief.

End-of-Life Decisions & Support

There are times when a patient is suffering and there is no real chance of recovery. In this circumstance, humane euthanasia may be warranted. This is a difficult and deeply personal choice. We will always respect your judgment with regard to this decision.

Should this need arise, please understand that the process is fast and painless. Some people choose to be with their pets during euthanasia, and others choose to say goodbye and leave their pets in our caring hands.

A clay paw print impression is available, and there is the option of a private cremation with the return of ashes through Faithful Companion Pet Cremation Services.

Group Counseling

If you are having a difficult time coping with the loss of a pet, we sponsor group counseling with a trained grief counselor. This service is available at no charge. There are also helplines that you may call to speak with someone about dealing with the loss of a pet.

“…for weeping may endure through the long night of sorrow…
…but joy will return in the mourning.”

~ adapted from Psalm 30:5

If you have experienced the death or disappearance of a pet or have had to put a pet to sleep, this support group is designed just for you.​

Our pets become members of our families and are often our best friends. They love us unconditionally and, when they die or disappear, sometimes we are surprised at the depth of sadness and emptiness we feel. This group offers a place where you and others who are grieving the loss of a pet will discover you are not alone in your grief and where you can begin to heal as you share with one another your experiences and memories of your special friend.

When: 3rd Monday of each month, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Senior Center at Lexington Leisure Center, 108 Park Road, Lexington, SC 29072
Cost: Free of charge, no pre-registration required

*This group is fully funded by Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital and Lake Murray Animal Hospital as a community service.

Call (803) 413-2199 if you can’t find us or if you can’t get in when you arrive.

For more information about this group, contact Nancy Pilat-Renner, MA, LPC, CAC, NCC at (803) 546-2923.

Pet-hospice-care

Hot Lines for Support

In addition to the Pet Loss Support group sponsored by Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital, there are several hotlines available that you may call for support or counseling.

Phone Numbers

(530) 752-4200 or (800) 565-1526: Staffed by University of California Davis veterinary students
(630) 325-1600: Staffed by Chicago Veterinary Medical Association
(607) 253-3932: Staffed by Cornell University veterinary students
(217) 244-2273(CARE) or (877) 394-2273: Staffed by University of Illinois veterinary students
(888) ISU-PLSH or (888) 478-7574: Staffed by Iowa State University veterinary students and volunteers
(517) 432-2696: Staffed by Michigan State University veterinary students
(614) 292-1823; email, petloss@osu.edu: Staffed by The Ohio State University veterinary students
(508) 839-7966: Staffed by Tufts University veterinary students
(540) 231-8038: Staffed by Virginia-Maryland Regional College of veterinary medicine
(509) 335-5704 or (866) 266-8635: Staffed by Washington State University veterinary students

Lord God, we thank you for giving us our pets who are our friends and who give us so much joy in life. We cherish the pets we have now, and we remember the pets we have loved and lost.

May we always be reminded of the joy they have given to us.