Euthanasia/bereavement support

[Shilasdair]

Hi all
This is something I've been thinking about a lot recently as my two horses have been close to needing PTS (still not entirely sure what the outcomes will be).
So I thought I'd share the resources I've found - and perhaps you could add anything that has helped you/might help others?

British Horse Society - Friends at the end/Euthanasia advice
https://www.bhs.org.uk/our-work/welfare/our-campaigns/friends-at-the-end

Blue Cross - Bereavement counselling
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss

B & W Equine Vets - Information on methods of euthanasia - could be upsetting
https://www.bwequinevets.co.uk/270/euthanasia/

Equine End of Life Services - an organisation which helps organise euthanasia and collection
https://www.equine-endoflife.co.uk/about-us/

 

[Baywonder]

Thank you for sharing this @Shilasdair

Even if just one person finds these links helpful, it will be worth it.

 

[Birker2020]

I know people that volunteer for 'friends at the end' and offered their services to both talk to them and also to hold my horse at the end. I wanted it to just be us and Bailey but it was kind of them to offer and as it happens we managed to cope fine. It's just the afterwards that we are struggling with.

Blue Cross used to have a memorial wall, all my pets were on it, some of the tributes were quite moving.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Once, a few years ago I had bought a horse who plummeted down hill really quickly.
I was finding the decision making quite tough, my vet at the time wasn’t overly helpful.
I contacted friends at the end and a lovely lady actually came out to talk it all over and meet my horse. She even offered to make the arrangements and come to hold him or just be with me on the day. I declined that, I just needed a bit of back up on the actual decision making.
Id highly recommend them.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Friends at the End will do as little or as much as you want or need.
From just a friendly voice on the phone, to visiting prior to pts and returning to stay throughout, then being available a few days after if needed.
There is quite comprehensive training in several aspects to do this.

 

[Supertrooper]

I found the blue cross helpline really helpful when I lost my mare with laminitis and I actually contacted them last year when I had to return my pony to world horse welfare, even though it wasn’t a bereavement they were brilliant

 

[Shilasdair]

Thanks for your comments - and likes - I hope it will help people find information if/when they need it.

 

[eahotson]

Hi all
This is something I've been thinking about a lot recently as my two horses have been close to needing PTS (still not entirely sure what the outcomes will be).
So I thought I'd share the resources I've found - and perhaps you could add anything that has helped you/might help others?

British Horse Society - Friends at the end/Euthanasia advice
https://www.bhs.org.uk/our-work/welfare/our-campaigns/friends-at-the-end

Blue Cross - Bereavement counselling
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss

B & W Equine Vets - Information on methods of euthanasia - could be upsetting
https://www.bwequinevets.co.uk/270/euthanasia/

Equine End of Life Services - an organisation which helps organise euthanasia and collection
https://www.equine-endoflife.co.uk/about-us/

I used the Blue Cross service when I lost my little dog last year.

 

[IrishMilo]

I genuinely found the lovely messages of support from this forum the most helpful.