Lap of Love

It sucks needing a service like this one, but I’m very glad it was there.
We had two, 17yo cats who were in various states of renal-​failure: the one’s kidneys had already shut down and the other’s blood-​work indicated it would be in a similar state in 1 – 6 months. Neither cat liked going to the vet — it was very stressful to them. Having someone come into the home saved them from having to endure either the car-​ride or the stress of being at the vets’ office. Translation: none of their remaining time was spent being stressed out.
Dr. Nora performed the service, for us. She had a very calm demeanor that helped keep the cats soothed. She was open to answering lots of questions and even providing some suggestions on how to make the process go smoother.
While previous euthanizations done at the vet’s office were humanely done, they alway felt a bit perfunctory and rushed. Not unduly so and not enough to complain about. Just enough that, when you work with someone as accommodating as Dr. Nora, you remember back and realize, «wow: the previous pets’ procedures were rushed by comparison».
At any rate, glad that in-​home service is a lot easier to find, now, than it was in late 2010 and early 2011.

We rescued 2 dogs about a month apart, right after the passing of our family dog. Angel, and Taylor lived, loved, and played together for 15 years, can you believe it? 15 beautiful years with two loving souls. Had it not been for a sudden tumor that ruptured, we may have had a few more. Til the end, my sweet baby Angel fought and fought, not understanding she was just not capable of being herself. Like others, I canceled an appointment a week ago when she seemed to suddenly improve, only to get worse last night. At least I had some more time to accept her likely passing.
If you’ve ever loved an animal, especially as long as I loved her, you know it hurts your soul to let them go. I could not have done this without the excellent care from Lap of Love, specifically Dr. Nora. Ironically, she was Taylor’s vet at a local hospital when we had our emergency scare a few years back, so it was meant to be. Please consider them for pet hospice care or end-​of-​life services, they are amazing. The phone operators (thank you, Cheryl) there were all so soothing, talking me through the process, setting up my appointment, showing true sincerity for my baby and for me. Dr. Nora was at my house within an hours notice to help me say goodbye, and treated my loving Angel with so much dignity and affection; she put us at ease and was patient while we took our time talking, loving her, holding her, and saying goodbye to her. She made this hard and emotional moment easier to handle, and even let me help her carry my girl in a soft blanket and puppy stretcher out to transport so I could continue kissing her and holding onto her. She snipped off some fur in a keepsake for me, and when my baby crossed over, took a paw impression for me to keep with a memorial pamphlet. She called to check on me and offered an ear if I needed to talk, and to ensure my surviving baby Taylor handles this OK. In a week when my sweetheart comes back to me from the crematory, I will probably fall apart again. But I have another baby to look after who misses her sister, and we are loving on her and comforting her.
Thank you so much for making this horrible day a little easier to handle. My heart hurts, but at least I know my baby left us peacefully, happily, and in my arms with the best care possible.

What could I possibly say that the other reviewers haven’t said. Although this was one of the most heartbreaking times of our life, Dr. Christine was the most caring and amazing person we could have ever hoped for. Our kitty was almost 17 and I was really conflicted about letting her go but I knew it was time. She had multiple health problems and her quality of life had steadily declined. We gave Lap of Love a call on Sunday and they were able to come within a couple of hours even though we are in DC and it was on the weekend. We decided not to wait until Monday to take her to her regular vet because honestly, she hated that place and I wanted her to be able to pass at home stress free. Dr. Christine never rushed us, she explained everything in detail about what would happen and she did the steps when we were ready for each one. She stepped out after it was over to give us as much time as we needed with her. She handled her with loving care afterwards. No one ever wants to go though this but we all know it is inevitable at some point and I am so incredibly grateful that Lap of Love and Dr. Christine were there to help us through this sad day.

After 17 wonderful years (4 transpacific moves and about 20 roommates), it was becoming all too clear that my amazing, hilarious, and incredibly sweet cat, Zoe, was in decline. I had an appointment with my regular vet for Wednesday… then Friday… and both times, I cancelled. I thought ‘hmm… she ate a bit today — maybe she’ll bounce back.’ But I was fooling myself — and I wasn’t even doing that very well.
The one thing I was sure of was that I wanted her to pass while at home, in her favorite chair, and not stressed by the vet whom she spent her whole life hating (don’t take it personally, vets). My regular vet only did house calls on Tues/​Wed, so when I finally admitted that it was her time — on Friday night — I didn’t know what to do. I called Lap of Love at almost 10pm, meaning to leave a message. Instead, a very sweet woman answered — I think it was an answering service — but she did tell me that Dr. Erik could come Saturday afternoon. I was nervous not to have my regular vet — also nervous that I was doing the wrong thing.
Dr. Erik was exactly EXACTLY the right blend of professional and caring. He called about a half hour before he came (as promised) and came right on time. He sat for a long time and just listened — he never rushed us. We told him that we were afraid we were making a mistake and that it was too soon. He told us that there were times he went to people’s houses and wouldn’t do the procedure, because he felt it wasn’t the right time — but that in our case, he felt certain — and he would have done the same if it were his cat. He knew just how to reassure us, but in a very genuine way.
He explained everything and prepped us for a ‘worst case’ (which would be that the first needle hurt a bit and she might meow). It didn’t — she was napping in the sun, being pet by both of her owners, and she just drifted into a deep sleep. He went to use the restroom just after she passed, and I think that he spent more time washing his hands than necessary — most likely, he wanted to give us some time alone before coming back in the room. I really appreciated that. I hugged my boyfriend, then I just grabbed Dr. Erik and hugged him too. He didn’t miss a beat — he gave us both a big hug.
Putting Zoe to sleep is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. That said, I could not recommend this service more highly. I thought it would freak me out to have her in home, but I’m so glad I did. The service that Lap of Love offers is so so so valuable. My boyfriend even thought that it was nice that this wasn’t our regular vet — whom we’ve known for years. He said that, because of that long term relationship, he would have felt strange crying in front of the vet — but Dr. Erik was so compassionate, my bf had no problem letting his emotions show.

Dr. Eric came out to put our 14 yo Golden retriever Ginger down. He was so kind and wonderful and even though it was horribly hard he was so incredibly empathetic and comforting. I would highly recommend lap of Love and especially Dr. Eric. He made sure Ginger was comfortable and let us take our time saying our goodbyes. So incredibly grateful for his help on that terribly heartbreaking day.

Dr. Christine came to our house for my beloved Chester. She was supportive, understanding, professional and exactly the right person for us in an emotional time. The service of this entire organization was very impressive. Not only do they dedicate themselves to such a caring cause, but they are prompt in returning calls and responsive to questions and concerns. I appreciated Dr. Christine’s calm, unhurried demeanor and her thorough discussion with me of Chester’s condition. She did not seem like a stranger, but rather a kind and gentle guide through the last hours of a long goodbye to my best friend.

When it was time for our dear Sebastian to find relief no longer available to him in this world, a literal Angel (a woman with that name at our vet’s office) referred us to Lap of Love. Valerie who made the appointment for us was as compassionate and sympathetic as a friend might have been each time we spoke. Dr. Eric Newhart, one of the kindest, most gentle souls I have met, made this difficult decision feel like a very special gift we gave Sebastian. Words do not suffice to express our gratitude to Dr. Eric and Valerie and everyone at Lap of Love for doing this most sacred work.
Be sure to read the testimonials on their site as it seems most people are focusing their reviews there.

We were so fortunate to have lucked into Dr. Christine being available to come to our home to perform an at home euthanasia for our most beloved dog. We had called 8 different at home vets throughout the night and Lap of Love was one of the first to call back and they were able to send Dr. Christine with very little notice.
Words can not express how kind, compassionate and patient Dr. Christine was. There she was with us during one of the most difficult times and in our lives and she was there to help guide us gently through the process. She was never intrusive and so kind throughout the entire time. I would NEVER even think of calling anyone else again.
I was so impressed by her competence and compassion I asked if they saw patients on a routine basis and she indicated that Lap of Love focuses on end of life/​palliative care. It was no surprise at all to me that this was a mission in her life.
I will forever be grateful for her making Daisy’s last moment be one of peace. I hope more people decide to euthanise their pet at home. While it was difficult to let my dog go, I know we are so fortunate to have people like Dr. Christine whom will make sure that our beloved pets will pass away in peace, with dignity, without suffering and surrounded by those that love them in their own home.
Thank you Dr. Christine for helping Daisy and to Tara Greene, Lap of Love’s Care Coordinator, for calling me so quickly.

This is a review of Dr. Christine Shibly of Lap of Love. She came to do an at-​home euthanasia of my aged and ill cat. She was wonderful from start to finish, doing two phone consults with me before we had her come over to put my cat to sleep, and sent a sweet follow-​up e-​mail. She was able to come to our place on very short notice, too, which I appreciated a great deal. Very caring vet who was gentle and kind with my cat and with us, her human parents. Thank you, Dr. Christine, it was a sad occasion but you made it better all around and very comfortable for my cat’s passing.