Additional Online Resources

Listings with one * can be used to locate veterinarians who offer one or more alternative method of treating animals.

The listing marked with two ** has a search for veterinarians specifically offering hospice care.

Not every veterinarian offering alternatives and /or hospice chooses to be listed, so be sure to search for them locally as well.

These websites are provided for information purposes only – full responsibility remains with the users of these sites.

Please report any broken links to office@spiritsintransition.org.

HOUSE CALL AND MOBILE VETERINARIANS
http://www.housecallvets.org/
Once an animal is in hospice care it is usually no longer desirable to transport them to a veterinary clinic when professional intervention is needed. If your veterinarian does not provide house calls and can not recommend a colleague, this link might be helpful: The website of the American Association of House call and Mobile Veterinarians lists its members by state.  There is no information on the website whether a veterinarian is familiar with an actual hospice approach, nor whether they also offer holistic modalities.
HOLISTIC VETERINARIANS, VARIOUS MODALITIES
* www.ahvma.org	ph.  (410) 569-0795
The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association has a search option “Find a Holistic Vet”.  This is the only site that will show all the different treatment modalities a particular practitioner offers – if that veterinarian chose to be a member of this organization.
VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURISTS & TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine)
Acupuncture as well as Chinese herbs can keep animals walking that lose strength in their hind end, may restore movement in animals paralyzed due to a disc problem, can give great pain relief, help digestive issues and nausea, fight side-effects from chemo and radiation, and support animals with chronic kidney or liver failure and provide support in a number of other internal or structural conditions.
Inside hospice, acupuncture or –pressure may be preferable over herbs, as those may no longer be feasible in an animal with loss of appetite. Also, cats may not be as open to taking herbs than accepting a homeopathic remedy.
* www.ivas.org	ph. (970) 266-0666
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Association allows for a search to locate an IVAS certified Veterinary Acupuncturist by location or name.  Note that Veterinary Acupuncturists trained elsewhere are not listed, so if you can not find someone in your area on this list, you may still find them on others, like the AHVMA one or the Chi Institute.
* www.tcvm.com	ph .  (800) 891-1986
The Chi Institute in Florida trains veterinarians in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, entailing acupuncture, herbs and nutrition.  They have their own certified practitioner list.  While the search option on the web did not work at the time of print, calling the office ought to get you the answer anyways.
VETERINARY HOMEOPATHY
Particularly for severe health problems, as in chronic digestive issues, skin problems, cancer etc. make sure the practitioner has some training and understanding of classic homeopathy. Cats may accept a homeopathic remedy easier than being given herbs. Homeopathy can be a wonderful way of supporting an animal during hospice, for pain reduction, to address digestive and many other issues.
* www.drpitcairn.com
Click on “Find a vet”, then on “Animal Natural Health Center Referrals” within the text, to find a list of veterinarians trained in classic homeopathy as taught by Dr. Pitcairn, who offers the currently only AVH (see below) approved course. If you cannot find a vet close to you, some homeopathic vets accept clients for phone consultations long distance.
* www.theavh.org	ph. (866) 652-1590
The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy certifies veterinarians in North America who specialize in homeopathy, based on the course offered by Dr. Pitcairn (see above).  Their referral list is divided into “certifieds” and “ affiliated”, the latter are veterinarians who have pursued their homeopathic training in their own way.
CANCER PREVENTION
www.preventcancer.com
The exceedingly informative site of the Cancer Prevention Coalition was founded by Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.. He is a physician and professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.
On the home page to the right, click on: “Avoidable Exposures: Work and Environment”. The next page will let you choose articles from themes like: “Environmental pollutants” (expl: pesticides) and “Your home environment”: Read Indoor air pollution, Home and Garden pesticides, the “Dirt Dozen” Consumer Products, for many great suggestions how to keep yourself and your pet safe!
If you can’t get yourself to pay for organic meet, read “ American beef – why is it banned in Europe?”. If you still give hot dogs to your dog, click on “ Avoidable Cancers” to the right on the home page, then: “Childhood cancers- avoid the causes”, and click on “Hotdogs”. Here is more info on pesticides in food for the ones who can not afford buying organic, too.
SPECIAL NEEDS PETS
www.handicappedpets.com	ph. (888) 811-PETS (7387)
A very resourceful website with a wealth of links and information, like how to build your own dog ramp, how to express the bladder of a dog, ordering wheel chairs, harnesses, boots etc. Also features a discussion/support area.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/special-needs-pets-support/
An online support network for caregivers who share advice, information, and emotional support; and elsewhere on this site you can find links to other lists as well, dealing with specific health issues, where you can also find support.
ANIMAL HOSPICE AND SANCTUARIES
** www.pethospice.org	ph. (707) 557-8595
The site of The Nikki Hospice Foundation. Allows to search by state for veterinarians specialized in providing hospice support (click on “Veterinary Hospice care”, then on “Hospice veterinarians”).
www.bitsweet.org	ph. (415) 760-9462
BitterSweet Animal Hospice and Grief Recovery. Offer animal hospice consultations via phone and e-mail Promoting a positive link between families, animals, and the veterinary community by providing education, practical support, and grief recovery services. Located in Marin County, California, offer in-person consultation also in Sonoma county.
www.brighthaven.org	ph. (707) 578-4800
Animal sanctuary in Sebastopol, CA. Offer (non-vet) phone or e-mail consultations on hospice.
www.blessingthebridge.com
A site to accompany the book of the same name. The author Rita Reynolds is the founder of an animal sanctuary in Virginia, is establishing a community animal hospice program, and provides individual consulting.
http://members.aol.com/guyh7/hospice.htm
The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians. A nice explanation of hospice for animals, as well as an extensive list of links to Human End-of-Life Internet Sites.
** www.apeacefuljourneyforanimals.com
Christy Johnston offers support for animals in “making transitions with grace and peace”, including Reiki and respite care for animals and their families. A long time volunteer with Brighthaven Sanctuary, she has extensive experience working with senior and special needs animals. Site includes tips on how to feed a cat with little appetite, followed by the subject of "suffering".
www.angelsgate.org	ph. (631) 269-7641
In an awe inspiring act of compassion Susan Marino created a home for close to 200 animals at a time in her residence in New York state. Now a not-for-profit organization, she takes in free of charge animals with lifelong disabilities or terminally ill, providing for all their needs with the help of volunteers.
www.kindredspiritsnm.org	ph. (505) 471-5366
Another angel in human form dedicated to assisting many old and dying animals in a residential setting, Ulla Pedersen founded the Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary in New Mexico.
http://www.homeforlife.org/vision.htm	ph. (800) 252-5918
Home for Life is a animal sanctuary in St. Croix Valley in Minnesota. They accept dogs and cats from rescue organizations and shelters. With their program "Angel Care" it is possible via a donation to ensure ones animal will have a safe and happy place to live out its life should the owners become unable to care for it themselves later on.
http://www.paals1.org/	ph. (303) 660-5564
PAALS for Life, People And Animals Living Synergistically is a program of The Dreampower Foundation, Inc., a non-profit cooperation in Castle Rock, Colorado. PAALS maintains one of the few sanctuaries in the country that focuses on providing lifetime care to senior and disabled horses, dogs, cats (and a few others). As space and funds permit, PAALS also takes in dogs, and cats that have run out of time at animal shelters and horses rescued from abusive situations, and puts them up for adoption.
HUMAN HOSPICE
www.hospicenet.org
A website for human hospice, offering a lot of good information. One of our favorites, under bereavement: Hospice Spiritual Readings-from all different walks!
MISCELLANEOUS
www.vetinfo.com
A site containing a vast alphabetical list of veterinary terms in regards to dog and cat health, which can be helpful in understanding what your animal has been diagnosed with. Represents a strictly traditional western point of view
www.monroeinstitute.org	ph. (866) 881-3440
The Monroe Institute offers a technology called Hemisynch. This method balances the interaction between the two hemispheres of the brain, with amazing results. Their CD’s, for instance “Surf” or “Meditation” can on very low volume help to calm animals. There are also many that have music with Hemisynch unnoticeable underneath it.   The tape series “Going Home” has been developed in collaboration with Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, MD, and Charles Tart, PhD, to help people overcome fear of dying, including people with life threatening conditions and caretakers of the terminally ill.
www.littlelotushearts.com	ph. (212) 265-1305
A site established by practitioners of the Tibetan Buddhist faith for animal lovers, with options to ask for prayer support, make offerings on behalf of animals, and placing a tribute.
www.dhamma.org	phone numbers for different states. California: (559)- 877 4386
This is the international home page of the organizations which offer free 10-day courses in Vipassana Meditation.
www.equineelders.org
The page of the Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary in Virgina generously shares their experience caring for aging horses, providing a valuable resource on how to feed.
www.equinevoices.org
Gives a field tested, low cost, owner reliant holistic protocol to treat horses with symptoms of West Niles Virus infection. Developed with the support of two holistic veterinarians.
www.animalacupressure.com	ph. (888) 841-7211
Tallgrass Publishers is a unique and rich source for anyone interested in learning acupressure for animals. They offer seminars and online courses on this topic, books and DVD’s, as well as acu-point charts for horses, dogs and cats. SPIRITS in Transition is accepted as an elective class inside their certification program.
www.lindatellingtonjones.com
The TTOUCH used in the very gentle body work developed by Linda Tellington- Jones is exceedingly effective, versatile and easy to learn. It can soothe pain and relieve stressful emotions and fear, and can be used in any species. Numerous books, videos and courses are available.