The association exists to optimize the quality of life of pets in human families and communities by advancing the essential role of primary veterinary care.
Veterinary Family Practice is a response to the
rapid evolution of the human-animal bond
dramatic revolution in veterinary knowledge and technology
The fact that pets are considered members of the families by the humans with whom they share their lives changes the responsibilities of the family members, the veterinary health care providers and the communities we live in.
Please explore these pages to learn how Veterinary Family Practice can apply to your life as a primary care veterinary health provider, a pet parent, a human health care provider or anyone whose lives are involved with companion animals.
Lots of research has indicated that having a dog or a cat can help people live happier, healthier lives. But it’s been unclear whether there really is a cause-and-effect relationship between pet ownership and better physical and mental health. Now, new research indicates that the benefits of having a canine or feline companion are real and broad.
IF YOU FIND IT HARD TO THINK ABOUT LIFE WITHOUT YOUR PET, IMAGINE YOUR PET’S LIFE WITHOUT YOU.
Thousands of companion animals are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year simply because their human caregivers died or became ill and made no arrangements for the continuous care of their pets. What will happen to your pets if they outlive you?
There was an informative newsletter issue of The Latham Letter (http://www.icraeastbay.org/LL_08_FA.pdf) devoted to veterinary hospice care. It is Volume XXIX, Number 4, Fall, 2008.
A very good book on the subject is Kindred Spirit, Kindred Care: Making Health Decisions on Behalf of Our Animal Companions by Shannon Fujimoto Nakaya, DVM. My clients and a few veterinarians in my area love it. Here's a link: http://www.kindredspiritkindredcare.com/book.html.
CD proceedings of both the 1st and 2nd International Symposiums on Veterinary Hospice Care held at UC Davis can be purchased from the Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets, website: www.pethospice.org.
Last Updated on Friday, September 24, 2010 02:25 PM
