How to thank ER vets.
March 22, 2024 7:52 PM Subscribe
My dog died last Saturday unexpectedly. I had to take him to a 24/7 Vet ER. They treated him like he was a person and I need to thank them though I don't know who they are. Help me. More inside. Warning - pet death talk.
My dog 11.5 yr old Ramses collapsed last Saturday afternoon. He was alert but could not move other than breathing, moving his eyes and wagging his tail at his buddy, my Dad. I knew I had to take him to an ER vet. I did. It was traumatic. They came out to take Ramses out of the bed of our truck (he was 85lbs) onto a doggie stretcher, and into the ER. I remember so clearly that as they took him in, I saw as the doors opened, the staff was waiting around the ER door in a semi-circle for their patient, just like I've seen health professionals do at human ERs. It is, and, was, so meaningful. He died shortly after entry into the ER, though the staff went into immediate action, again, just like a human ER.
The vet clinic was not his regular vet clinic. I have the name of the vet that saw him that day from my receipt ( she talked to me but I never registered her image or her name at the time) but I don't know the staff. I want to thank those staff in particular as well. I want the them to know how much it meant to me that they were just as ready as for a human ER patient. I want to thank those people in particular for their service.
They didn't even charge me for the regular stabilization charge since he died so soon. I only paid for his cremation charges.
How do I go about this? Thank you for letting me talk about this.
-Saucywench
My dog 11.5 yr old Ramses collapsed last Saturday afternoon. He was alert but could not move other than breathing, moving his eyes and wagging his tail at his buddy, my Dad. I knew I had to take him to an ER vet. I did. It was traumatic. They came out to take Ramses out of the bed of our truck (he was 85lbs) onto a doggie stretcher, and into the ER. I remember so clearly that as they took him in, I saw as the doors opened, the staff was waiting around the ER door in a semi-circle for their patient, just like I've seen health professionals do at human ERs. It is, and, was, so meaningful. He died shortly after entry into the ER, though the staff went into immediate action, again, just like a human ER.
The vet clinic was not his regular vet clinic. I have the name of the vet that saw him that day from my receipt ( she talked to me but I never registered her image or her name at the time) but I don't know the staff. I want to thank those staff in particular as well. I want the them to know how much it meant to me that they were just as ready as for a human ER patient. I want to thank those people in particular for their service.
They didn't even charge me for the regular stabilization charge since he died so soon. I only paid for his cremation charges.
How do I go about this? Thank you for letting me talk about this.
-Saucywench
I would send a card with a personal note. I would avoid anything like flowers - some are deadly to animals, and they can aggravate people with allergies or who are sensitive to scents. I would also avoid something like a Starbucks gift cards at the moment; some people are boycotting the company because of their support of the genocide in Gaza or their union busting & efforts to destroy labor protections in the US.
A card can be passed around the office, put up on the bulletin board in the break room, etc.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:07 PM on March 22 [8 favorites]
A card can be passed around the office, put up on the bulletin board in the break room, etc.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:07 PM on March 22 [8 favorites]
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad Ramses had kind and competent attention at the end.
While I think it unlikely that any given random vet will have Starbucks boycotters working there, you can dodge the issue by sending a nice box of chocolates along with a card/note. I'm sure it's satisfying for them when they learn that they were able to give some comfort to the pet's person even if they couldn't save the pet.
posted by praemunire at 8:15 PM on March 22 [3 favorites]
While I think it unlikely that any given random vet will have Starbucks boycotters working there, you can dodge the issue by sending a nice box of chocolates along with a card/note. I'm sure it's satisfying for them when they learn that they were able to give some comfort to the pet's person even if they couldn't save the pet.
posted by praemunire at 8:15 PM on March 22 [3 favorites]
A note if thanks and a memorial donation to an animal rescue - or the animal hospital’s “special needs fund” would likely be meaningful to the vets. They are compassionate animal lovers and a gesture could be as appreciated as a physical gift.
posted by countrymod at 8:29 PM on March 22 [12 favorites]
posted by countrymod at 8:29 PM on March 22 [12 favorites]
I brought some high-end baked goods for the staff to share, and a card, and they seemed very appreciative (did not linger at the desk to talk because just being back there was bringing on tears!)
posted by HoteDoge at 8:50 PM on March 22 [3 favorites]
posted by HoteDoge at 8:50 PM on March 22 [3 favorites]
I'm sorry for your loss.
I think a card and snacks or gift card for a close by coffee / snack place sounds like a good idea.
posted by oneear at 10:23 PM on March 22
I think a card and snacks or gift card for a close by coffee / snack place sounds like a good idea.
posted by oneear at 10:23 PM on March 22
I am so sorry for your loss of Ramses. My heart hurts for you.
If you're in an emotional place where you can write a note, those are always appreciated and treasured. If you can't do that right now or want something to accompany it, a small pet-safe plant (not flowers--allergies)would be nice. You can Google "pet safe plants"for ideas.
posted by WithWildAbandon at 5:21 AM on March 23
If you're in an emotional place where you can write a note, those are always appreciated and treasured. If you can't do that right now or want something to accompany it, a small pet-safe plant (not flowers--allergies)would be nice. You can Google "pet safe plants"for ideas.
posted by WithWildAbandon at 5:21 AM on March 23
When Sugar passed, I wrote a long note to the vet and staff, and my adult kid who had accompanied me also wrote a note thanking them for their kindness to me in my loss (my husband had died in the previous year). The vet mentioned the cards to each of us when we went in separtely for appoitments, so it really made a difference. I'm not even sure a gift would have been appropriate from us, because it was like thanking other mourners, where I wouldn't give a gift, but everyone's mileage may be different.
posted by Peach at 6:47 AM on March 23
posted by Peach at 6:47 AM on March 23
I got many 3"x5" copies of pictures of my dog printed; him as a puppy, in midlife, and as a senior dog. I wrote a heartfelt card to the vet and put in one copy of each picture. I also wrote a longer, heartfelt card addressed to the staff, and went into great detail about how grateful I was and am for all their hard work behind the scenes, and how I know that my dog got the best care as a direct result of all of their efforts. I put ~10 copies of each picture into that card.
A couple days after dropping them off, I got a couple of the most heartwarming voicemails from both the vet and some of the staff. They really appreciated the gesture, and I'm extremely glad, both that I did it and that it was so well received.
As everyone else is, I'm sorry for your loss. It's so hard.
posted by Dilligas at 8:51 AM on March 23 [5 favorites]
A couple days after dropping them off, I got a couple of the most heartwarming voicemails from both the vet and some of the staff. They really appreciated the gesture, and I'm extremely glad, both that I did it and that it was so well received.
As everyone else is, I'm sorry for your loss. It's so hard.
posted by Dilligas at 8:51 AM on March 23 [5 favorites]
In a similar situation I sent a heartfelt handwritten card addressed to the Dr & staff on duty that night. You might be able to see Dr pictures on their website and recognize a face. If you want to go a step farther you could call and explain to the receptionist that you would like the names of everyone so you could address the card correctly.
If this is a larger ER vet situation, I might look up/ call and ask for a manager/managing dr's email address, and tell them how incredible their staff was for you that night. Most people only email to complain, so I always try to remember to send a quick email when Ive had an above and beyond experience somewhere.
Starbucks cards are almost universally welcome if you feel like you also want to include a "thing"
So sorry for your loss.
posted by zara at 11:28 AM on March 23 [1 favorite]
If this is a larger ER vet situation, I might look up/ call and ask for a manager/managing dr's email address, and tell them how incredible their staff was for you that night. Most people only email to complain, so I always try to remember to send a quick email when Ive had an above and beyond experience somewhere.
Starbucks cards are almost universally welcome if you feel like you also want to include a "thing"
So sorry for your loss.
posted by zara at 11:28 AM on March 23 [1 favorite]
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I went back the following week with a photo of my dog, a letter of thanks and a modest donation to the assistance fund. Doing that was a comforting exercise.
All the best to you.
posted by BibiRose at 11:37 AM on March 23 [4 favorites]
I went back the following week with a photo of my dog, a letter of thanks and a modest donation to the assistance fund. Doing that was a comforting exercise.
All the best to you.
posted by BibiRose at 11:37 AM on March 23 [4 favorites]
I'm so very sorry for your loss,
I also agree about a card, maybe a photo of your pet, and honestly, what you wrote here, about them gathered to immediately take care of your pet and how much that meant to you, will also mean a lot to them. Your post here is heartfelt and would work well to convey how you felt.
posted by annieb at 4:14 PM on March 23 [2 favorites]
I also agree about a card, maybe a photo of your pet, and honestly, what you wrote here, about them gathered to immediately take care of your pet and how much that meant to you, will also mean a lot to them. Your post here is heartfelt and would work well to convey how you felt.
posted by annieb at 4:14 PM on March 23 [2 favorites]
In addition I imagine a sweet google review helps too.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:17 PM on March 23 [5 favorites]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:17 PM on March 23 [5 favorites]
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I bought a bunch of Starbucks cards and dropped them off at the vet. They appreciated it and it felt like the least I could do. Anything you do for them will be appreciated - find something that feels right.
Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. These furry friends dig deeply into us.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 8:02 PM on March 22 [9 favorites]