I was recently honored to be a guest on the The Pet Loss Companion podcast, talking about behavioral euthanasia and my death doula work. While behavioral euthanasia is touchy topic and one that tends to bring out the keyboard warriors, it’s an important one to discuss, to help remove the stigma. Euthanasia for any reason is a difficult decision but behavioral euthanasia is often not given the same understanding as a euthanasia for physical reasons like cancer or arthritis. Here we have a parallel with human healthcare – mental health struggles are often not given the same weight and empathy as physical ailments.
Nobody gets a dog thinking they may have to consider behavioral euthanasia. Despite the stigma it carries, it is not a decision made out of convenience. And it doesn’t necessarily mean the dog has mauled someone or police have been involved. Opting to euthanize for a dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or animal seems reasonable to many people but often behavioral euthanasia is done before there is serious harm. The decision about behavioral euthanasia is often about risk assessment and quality of life, for both the animal and the humans. And this is where it gets tricky, because it’s not black or white, and everyone’s risk assessment, is different.
I hope you’ll have a listen. Even if you’re not considering BE, a friend or someone else may need support and you can learn what to do and what not to say.
This was my second appearance on the podcast, not including this episode with Ken and Nancy reading my submitted story, right after BooBoo’s passing. Listen/watch that episode here, or on your favorite podcast player. It was episode #166. My previous appearances was Episode #186: Talking about my grief journey, planning for loss and my free Advance Care Directive worksheet.
In this BE episode we covered a lot including:
- Grief Resources
- My free rehoming, surrendering or other outcomes checklist
- Behavioral Euthanasia Resources
- Advance Care Directive
- At Home Euthanasia pros/cons and directory of vets
- Assessing Quality of Life
I’m here for any of your training needs. If you are preparing for the loss of your own dog, remember I offer my doula services here or you can book my special consult if you’re considering behavioral euthanasia.
Thanks for being here!