This veterinarian cares to the end

Catherine Reynolds | Mar 28, 2018

Meredith Galbraith is passionate about the humane and ethical treatment of animals.

Speaking from a busy coffee shop in late March, the doctor of veterinarian medicine talks candidly about her work in Frontenac County to help pets transition comfortably into death.

"We all want a purpose and I feel like the work I do is meaningful," she explains kindly. "With my help, pet owners can write the story that is right for them; the narrative of their pet’s life and of their life together. Endings matter because the life mattered."

A veterinarian for the past 25 years, Dr. Galbraith offers a unique service. For a standard fee of $300 plus tax, (additional travel time or an out-of-hours call include additional fees) she will euthanize companion animals at home. She can also provide aftercare in the form of cremation for an additional fee.

Accustomed to helping cats and dogs, Dr. Galbraith has provided end-of-life care for guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, ferrets and even chickens.

"I started doing house calls 21 years ago," confirms the 59-year-old who operates a Companion Animal Mobile accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.

"For the past five years, my focus has been end-of-life care. The majority of it is in-home euthanasia, although more and more people are contacting me for help with end-of-life decision making and palliative care."

Describing her work as a specialized niche, Dr. Galbraith notes, "I personally believe when a pet is at the end of its life, unless it's an emergency, all pets should stay at-home where they feel safe and secure."

A regular visitor to the county to perform her services, Dr. Galbraith sees her work as a way to ease an animal's pain and suffering. The outcome tends to bring relief to pet owners.

"It's really rewarding for the owners" she says, citing cases of people grateful to see their pets die calmly and peacefully in a familiar environment. “How we as a society think of euthanasia is evolving. The word comes from the Greek meaning a good death, but I think of what I do more as veterinary aid-in-dying. When a pet’s body is winding down and it is trying to die, I can help by making the dying gentler than it otherwise might be."

Using the analogy of a target, she describes the perfect timing of a pet's death as the bullseye most owners want to hit. In reality, hitting the bullseye is nearly impossible, and if people wait too long they risk missing the target altogether. They risk a crisis which could involve unnecessary suffering and possibly a frantic trip to the emergency room in the middle of the night.

"It can be bad," she explains about these scenarios. "With a little bit of guidance and knowledge, we bring that (timing) in to be good enough.”

Describing her first euthanasia (as a new vet) as scary, Dr. Galbraith admits, "You go into vet school thinking you are there to save lives. But death is a natural part of life. Medicine doesn't save you from death. Ultimately we all die. It's just how. And the beautiful part is that by choosing the when of euthanasia you have a say in the how of how your beloved pet dies.”

Seeing the comfort euthanasia at-home can bring pets and owners, Dr. Galbraith soon found her calling.

"It became very clear it was important," she says about the service she considers a privilege to deliver.

"I think I find it very meaningful work because I really believe in what I do. Every life winds down. In the right circumstances and right time, euthanasia is a gift."

Pausing slightly, Dr. Galbraith sees the death of a pet as a tremendous loss that will always involve pain for the people they leave behind. She describes the process of grieving as less complicated if owners know they tried their best and helped their pet stay content, comfortable and happy to the end.

"I think the grieving is purer," she explains. It's not as complicated, less regrets. It's a very emotional time. For many people, it's unnavigated territory."

For people who have to make the decision to help their pet die, this service can be comforting, especially when a pet suffers from chronic pain or mobility issues.

Saying that, Dr. Galbraith recognizes this service is not for everyone.

"Some people don't want it in their home because it would be a sad place," she explains. "It's ok to say it's not the right fit."

For people who want the service, it can be incredibly rewarding.

"We take everything at the pet's pace. The pet just drifts away in its safe place, with its family at its side" says the vet. "To me, it feels like an intimate moment in a relationship and less like a necessary procedure in a clinic. Being present at the end is very important for people. It's kind of like loving them out of this world."

Many pet owners thank the doctor with a hug.

"It's not uncommon to feel relief," she says about people's reaction when an animal is relieved of pain caused by disease or age. "People usually have a lot of anxiety (with the death of their pet). I can guide them through it.

"The other part is, I feel good for the pet," she says softly.

Recently trained in animal hospice and palliative care, Dr. Galbraith has broadened the scope of her work to care for animals dying at home.

"People don't know what end-of-life can look like," she says. “When they get that bad news, I can meet the animal and help owners decide on a home care plan that prioritizes quality-of-life and recognizing and responding to their pet’s changing needs. I can help before the quality-of-life deteriorates."

Dr. Galbraith describes hospice and palliative care as a very holistic approach that allows owners to explore comfort & safety options and choose those that feel right to them based on their personal philosophy of care.

"There's a lot of geriatric animals that have a number of problems that impact their quality-of-life. I almost always feel I can make it better," she confirms.

"This is why I feel like it's an honour to do what I do."

Dr. Meredith Galbraith is the proud owner of five doges & two cats and the mother of a blended family of six children. She can be reached at 613-549-6226 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.