WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – “It’s pretty simple. It feels very complicated,” said Dr. Erica Bruner, a veterinarian based in Central Vermont.
According to Dr. Bruner, senior pet care is all about making the activities of daily living as comfortable as possible with love, connection and a little humor.
“My message is to try to bring peace to both animals and humans and help them connect,” Bruner said.
Dr. Bruner has worked as a veterinarian for decades. Her focus is on helping aging pets and their people feel more comfortable and connected.
That’s why she’s dedicated to starting conversations and spreading knowledge about this difficult time in the lives of both pets and owners.
“We feel that we have a really good understanding of the technical aspects of medicine and what it takes to care for such an aging pet. “It’s often hard to find time to spend a lot of time with people to have deep conversations about animals,” said Bruner.
The purpose of this program was to make it easier for people to think about the difficult decisions they may have to make for their pets, especially related to illness, death and end-of-life care.10
“We stress ourselves trying to give them the best life possible. Other times, we don’t need to stress as much. Maybe it’s just about being together.” said Bruner.
During the show, Dr. Bruner talked about some of the challenges of keeping older pets and the low-tech solutions that may be available.Attendees say the program was comforting and informative
“I think we can feel alone about these things at times. You know, I think this group, maybe even the ones that didn’t ask questions or comment. Water Judy Byron, pet owner and program coordinator at Berry Libraries, said:
He also said that he felt less lonely and anxious about having to go through the difficult decision-making process at the end of life.
“The great thing I got out of it is that you can’t make the wrong decisions. I can make their decisions right for my family and my path,” Byron said.
There’s another program for senior pet owners next month at the Waterbury Public Library, but Dr. Brunner says he can always raise the topic with his veterinarian if he wants to know more.
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