The companion animal end-of-life doula

Photo: daylight917/Adobe Stock

Companion Animal End-of-Life Doulas (CADs) are professionally trained individuals meant to provide nonmedicinal, nonjudgmental emotional support and comfort to a dying animal and their caregivers. Ken Gorczyca, DVM, CHPV, CPEV, an in-home euthanasia practitioner in San Francisco, California, and veterinary facilitator for the University of Vermont (UVM) Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Training Program, recently spoke at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Austin, Texas, about the emerging role of CADs. He shared core principles, methods, and strategies for CADs, and how to integrate them into existing veterinary practices, citing real-life examples from current CADs.¹

“I really believe that many of us in the veterinary profession, especially end-of-life practitioners, already are playing the role of death doula,” Gorczyca said during his presentation.¹ “I don’t think we knew that term.”

The practice can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where the word “doula” was used to describe women who assisted throughout pregnancy and childbirth.2 Doulas, not to be confused with obstetricians or midwives whom they often work alongside, are not medical professionals, but are meant to provide guidance and emotional support.² Today, the term has extended to apply to those professionally trained to provide similar emotional support at the end of life. In recent years, they’ve become increasingly more common in the veterinary field, according to Gorczyca.¹

CADs accept that birth, death, and grief are natural and expected in life. Their goal is to serve the family, and the animal, as companions, focused on calming, soothing, comforting, and supporting, rather than trying to cure or treat the animal. Among other things, CADs can educate and empower clients in their decision making, support animal comfort and home safety, provide advice regarding care plans, make referrals to additional support services, aid in grieving, and even serve as a stand-in during euthanasia if the owner cannot, or does not want to, be present. In a nonmedicinal support role, CADs should respect the boundaries of veterinary medical professionals, refrain from engaging in clinical tasks, and avoid medical advice or influence.¹

“The veterinary community and the pet doula work actually do merge at the end of life,” Gorczyca said, regarding why veterinary practices should consider implementing CADs.¹ "I think, a lot of time, it’s the veterinary technician [or] the veterinary front staff that are dealing with clients at this level. Maybe it would be helpful to our practices to have someone take on that role… some people really are empowered to help in this moment.”

Gorczyca encouraged practices to designate 1 or more staff members as end-of-life navigators or pet death doulas. Practices should create a dedicated, sacred space for euthanasia, explain their euthanasia process on their website, and consider working with private death doulas for clients requiring more advocacy and assistance, he noted. These steps help to acknowledge the significance and sacredness of end-of-life care.¹

“I think that, just like in society where we don’t really deal with death very well, the profession doesn’t necessarily deal with it well either,” Gorczyca said. “We’re starting to get there, and I really want to empower each of you to be better to help the clients at the end of life.”

In 2024, Gorczyca worked with UVM to develop the 6-week online CAD training program, which covers essential skills, compassionate, hospice, and palliative care, as well as post-death options. More than 500 individuals have already received their certificates from the UVM course. The University of New England recently launched a similar online course.¹ 

For further resources, Gorczyca recommended the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC), both of which offer supplementary course material on CADs. Organizations like The Death Wives, International Doula Life Movement, DoulaGivers, and the Center for Sacred Deathcare also provide death doula training programs.¹

To conclude his presentation, Gorczyca announced the Vet Death Doula Café, a private Facebook group for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other veterinary staff with interest in becoming CADs. He invited others to join the group and share experiences, gain insights into the emerging world of CADs, and connect with other like-minded veterinary professionals. Please contact Gorczyca at vetdoula@gmail.com to receive an invitation to the Vet Death Doula Cafe. 

References

1. Gorczyca K. The Emerging Role of the Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula (CAD). Presented at: American Veterinary Medical Association Convention; Austin, TX; June 22, 2024.
2. Dukehart C. Doulas: Exploring a tradition of support. National Public Radio. July 14, 2011. Accessed August 12, 2024. https://www.npr.org/sections/babyproject/2011/07/14/137827923/doulas-exploring-a-tradition-of-support