Founded in 2009, Lap of Love is the nation's largest network of veterinarians solely dedicated to end-of-life veterinary care. It offers in-home euthanasia, veterinary hospice, tele-advice and pet loss support services to help pet families throughout the country.
Lap of Love, a network of over 280 veterinarians that offer in-home hospice and euthanasia care, is located in Lutz, Florida. Its mission is to ensure that every pet and their family receives the best possible, compassionate, and individualized care during the final stages of life.
Lap of Love Tampa specializes in the in-home care and euthanasia of pets. They provide consultations, anxiety and pain management, peaceful euthanasia and cremation, as well as support for pet loss.
Lutz is where the company's headquarters are. It has a network that includes 11 Hillsborough County veterinary hospitals. According to the company's annual reports, the euthanasia industry grew by 36% in 2013.
Dani McVety Leinen, DVM is the founder and CEO of Lap of Love. It started out as a side-project to pay her student loans, but has since grown into a passion for elderly pets, their owners, and the veterinary professionals who treat them. She says her business is inspired from human hospice which focuses on palliative and not on curing disease.
McVety is a board-certified specialist in veterinary hospice and palliative medicine, and she has spoken around the world on how to provide a comforting and peaceful end of life for animals. She has a passion to educate others about caring for their pets as they age.
Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the first ever Innovative Practice of the year award from the Veterinary Innovation Council. This division is part of the North American Veterinary Community. She is a speaker and consultant as well as an author and TV host.
Graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine she spent her entire career in emergency and urgent care. She is passionate about helping families in time of need. Her experience in human palliative care has led her to realize that this is where she finds the greatest satisfaction in veterinary medicine.
Her oath as a hospice veterinarian to her patients is to bring pain relief and prevention to their suffering. This is the motivation behind all she does as a hospice vet and founder of Lap of Love.
It's a rewarding job. However, it can be hard at times. She explained that clients need to feel comfortable with their emotional and mental state during such a difficult time.
As a student veterinarian, she was able to volunteer at a human hospice. She witnessed firsthand the impact it had on the lives of the clients. It inspired her to establish a similar service with pets.
McVety Leinen is a former vet school student and has always been passionate about the relationship between pets, people, and animals. It was important that they stay together as long as possible. That passion has translated into a growing business and is the reason why she founded Lap of Love in 2009. Mary Gardner, an experienced vet in software design, is also her partner. Together they have created a unique and comprehensive approach for animal hospice.
FAQ
How to feed a pet.
Cats and dogs consume four meals per day. Dry kibble is used for breakfast. Lunch is usually some kind of meat like chicken and beef. Most dinners include some type of vegetable, such as broccoli or peas.
Cats have different dietary needs. Canadian foods should be included in their diet. These include tuna salmon, sardines and chicken.
Fruits and vegetables can be enjoyed by your pet. You shouldn't give them too much. Overeating can cause illness in cats.
It is not a good idea for your pet to drink water directly from the faucet. Instead, give your pet water from a bowl.
Get enough exercise for your pet. Exercise will help him lose weight. Exercise keeps him fit and healthy.
After your pet eats, make sure you wash the dishes. This will help prevent your pet ingesting bacteria.
Remember to brush your pet's coat regularly. Brushing your pet regularly can help remove dead skin cells that could lead to infection.
You should brush your pet at the very least once a week. Use a soft bristle brush. Don't use a wire brush. It can cause irreparable damage to your pet’s teeth.
When your pet eats, be sure to supervise him. He should chew his food well. He may choke on bits of bone.
Garbage cans should be kept away from your pet. This could cause serious health problems for your pet.
Do not leave your pet unattended in enclosed spaces. This applies to hot tubs, boats, cars, and other enclosed spaces.
How to Make Your Pet Happier
Pet owners often wonder if they can make their pets happy. People buy treats and clothes for pets. But this might not always work because some pets don't like certain things. Some dogs can't stand sweaters.
So, before buying something for your pet, try to figure out why he doesn't like it. You might find that your pet likes different types of food than you. Or maybe he hates wearing shoes.
Another tip is to play games with your pet. You can use a ball or a frisbee. You can throw it around the room. You can also throw it into the air and let him chase it. This game will make you both laugh. It's fun and relaxing too.
Another good idea is to give your pet a bath once every week or two. A bath helps to remove dead skin cells and dirt from your pet's coat. It keeps him smelling fresh.
It is also vital that your pet stays healthy. Do not allow your pet to eat junk food. Instead, feed him high-quality food. Get him plenty of exercise. You can take him out for a stroll or play fetch.
Spending time with your pet is a great way to bond. Many pets will prefer to spend time with their owners, rather than being left alone.
Finally, love your pet unconditionally. Never yell at, hit or scold your pet. Be patient and kind to him. And never leave him alone.
How to train your pet
When training a dog, cat, or other animal, consistency is key. Consistency is key when training a dog or cat. They will not trust you if you are rude or mean to them. They might believe all people are evil.
They will not know what to expect if you're inconsistent with your treatment. They could become anxious around other people if this happens.
Positive reinforcement is the best way for a dog or cat to learn. Rewarding them for doing a good job will encourage them to do the same.
They will associate bad behaviours with punishment and rewards if they do wrong.
You should use treats such as food or toys to reinforce good behavior. Give praise wherever possible.
Clickers can be used for training your pet. Clicking allows you to tap on a button and tell your pet that it was successful.
This method works because animals are able to understand that clicking signifies "good job".
First, show your pet the trick. Next, reward your pet by asking him to perform the trick.
He should be praised when he does it correctly. But don't overdo it. Be sure to praise him only once.
Also, it's important to set boundaries. You should not allow your pet to jump on people. Or don't allow him to bite strangers.
You must always supervise your pet so that he doesn’t injure himself.
How long should a dog stay indoors?
Dogs are naturally curious. Dogs are naturally curious and need to be able to vent their curiosity. They can become destructive if they don't have an outlet. This can lead to many problems including property destruction and injury to others.
A leash should always be worn by dogs when they are outside. They can explore their surroundings safely while being kept in check.
Your dog will be bored and restless if you keep him inside. He may start to chew furniture and other objects. He could also develop health problems if his nails grow too long.
You can prevent your dog from getting hurt by letting him run wild at least once a day. Go for a stroll around the neighbourhood, take him on a car ride, or take him to the dog park.
This will give him something to do and help him burn some energy.
Statistics
- Reimbursement rates vary by insurer, but common rates range from 60% to 100% of your veterinary bill. (usnews.com)
- It is estimated that the average cost per year of owning a cat or dog is about $1,000. (sspca.org)
- Here's a sobering reality: when you add up vaccinations, health exams, heartworm medications, litter, collars and leashes, food, and grooming, you can expect a bill of at least $1,000 a year, according to SSPCA. (bustle.com)
- For example, if your policy has a 90% reimbursement rate and you've already met your deductible, your insurer would pay you 90% of the amount you paid the vet, as long as you're still below the coverage limits of your policy. (usnews.com)
- Monthly costs are for a one-year-old female mixed-breed dog and an under one-year-old male domestic shorthair cat, respectively, in excellent health residing in Texas, with a $500 annual deductible, $5,000 annual benefit limit, and 90% reimbursement rate. (usnews.com)
External Links
How To
How to choose a good name for your pet?
The most important decision you will make when adopting an animal is choosing a name. You want to pick a name that reflects who they are and what kind of personality they have.
It is important to consider how other people might refer to you - for instance, if they are going to be called by their name in conversation. You should also consider how you would like to be called. What do you prefer, for example, "dog" or pet?
Here are some tips to help you get started:
-
Select a name to fit your dog's breed. Look up the names of the breeds if you know the breed (e.g. Labradoodle). Ask someone who is knowledgeable about dogs to suggest names based on that breed.
-
Take into account the meaning behind the name. Some breeds have names that are based on people or places. Others are nicknames. For example, the Labrador Retriever named "Rover" because he was always running!
-
How would you like to be called? Do you prefer to be called "dog?" or "pet?" Are you more likely to call your dog "Puppy" than "Buddy?"
-
Make sure to include the owner's name. It is a smart idea to give your dog a name that includes both your first and last names. However, it doesn't mean you should limit yourself to just including the names of family members. Your dog could become part of your family as well!
-
Keep in mind that many pets have multiple names. A cat, for example, might have multiple names depending on where she lives. She could be known as "Kitty Cat" at home but "Molly" while visiting her friends. This is especially true if the cat lives outside. They often adopt their names to fit their environment.
-
Be creative There are no rules saying that you must stick to a specific naming convention. Make sure you choose something memorable and unique.
-
Be sure to check that your chosen name does not already belong in the hands of another person or organization. So you don't accidentally steal someone's identity.
-
Don't forget that choosing a name is not an exact science. Sometimes it takes some time to decide if a name is right. You can keep searching until you find your perfect match.