Dr. Courtney Prue is the founder and lead veterinarian at Rest Your Paws, one of Australia’s first and largest in-home palliative care and euthanasia services for beloved pets. At the forefront of end-of-life services for pets across Australia, Rest Your Paws collaborates closely with veterinary clinics in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Dr. Courtney leads a team of incredibly compassionate veterinarians, nurses, support staff and grief counsellors, dedicated to providing pet owners with invaluable emotional support and expert guidance throughout their beloved pets’ end-of-life journey. Rest Your Paws is also committed to elevating the standard of palliative care throughout Australia. Their team collaborates with universities and TAFE nationwide to advance end-of-life training as well as providing in-clinic training for both general practitioners and referral hospitals. As part of their dedication to education and desire to enhance industry standards, Rest Your Paws continually develops and shares resources to empower veterinary professionals in delivering a more compassionate and thoughtful euthanasia experience within their clinics.
Supporting clients through their pet’s end-of-life journey is one of the toughest and most emotionally charged aspects of a veterinary receptionist’s role. Our clients are often overwhelmed with grief, navigating a complex mix of emotions- ranging from sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty to relief, anger, guilt and heartbreak. Working on the front line, receptionists are often in a position where they have to console and support pet owners without any formal training in grief support.
We will look specifically at the key touchpoints where veterinary receptionists play a pivotal role in providing emotional support to clients, from the initial phone call to schedule a euthanasia appointment to the final return of ashes. Through a better understanding of what our clients really need from us in these moments, we can tailor our communication to ensure we handle these conversations with empathy, compassion and confidence.
You will leave this session equipped with a practical toolbox of communication micro-skills, a refreshed vocabulary, and precise phrases to help you communicate effectively with grieving pet owners. We’ll provide real life examples, guides and handouts to enhance your ability to support clients through their most vulnerable moments, making a profound difference in their experience and your professional fulfilment
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