Colorado State University’s Argus Institute Offers New Guide to Help Veterinarians Support Clients Making Tough Decisions

One of the most challenging moments in veterinary practice comes when veterinarians tell their clients that their beloved companion animal is sick. Clients find themselves wrestling with hard questions, such as how to know if their pet is in pain or suffering, and how to know when it’s time to say goodbye to their companion. Colorado State University’s Argus Institute is offering a printed guide for veterinarians to help them assist clients through difficult times.

"What Now? Support for You and Your Companion Animal" is a comprehensive guide written by the Argus Institute, the leading teaching, research and service organization devoted to counseling pet owners through loss and improving veterinarian-to-client communication.

The guide helps veterinarians support their clients when:

– Their animal is sick,

– The client is facing an end-of-life decision, and

– Coping with the loss of a companion animal.

Each section includes recommendations to the client for understanding the emotional process they’ll go through; techniques for decision-making; approaches for talking to family members, especially children; and self-care tips for dealing with grief.

"It can be incredibly challenging to provide support for clients after they have learned their companion is ill and they are faced with what may feel like impossible choices. This process often involves a roller coaster of emotions, including sadness, fear, anger, denial and guilt. Veterinarians now have a resource to help clients during these overwhelming times," said Dr. Jane Shaw director of the Argus Institute. "We hope ‘What Now?’ offers veterinarians and practice teams a valuable resource to support their clients through difficult decisions."

"What Now?" is designed to care for clients of both small- and large-animal veterinary clinics. The guide is available for $3 per copy plus shipping. Discounts are available for bulk orders. To order "What Now?" or request a sample, contact the Argus Institute at (970) 297-4143 or visit the Web site at www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu. The Heska Corporation sponsored this publication.

To celebrate the release of "What Now?," veterinarians are invited to attend a continuing education session, "Delivering Bad News: A Crucial Conversation" from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, in Room 120 of Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The hospital is located at 300 W. Drake Road.

The Argus Institute is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.

A reception will be held at 6-6:30 p.m., and the presentation is scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP is required to the Argus Institute at (970) 297-4143 by March 18.

-30-