Healing Touch - In-Home Euthanasia and Holistic Veterinary Care

06/26/2026

06/10/2026

Grief after the loss of a pet shows up in a lot of ways, some of which you don't expect. It's not just the fact that they are no longer physically with you that is so hard. It's the entire disruption of what was normal and routine.

The walks you would take with them are now walks you may take by yourself, or not at all. The food bowl that needed filled every day now sits empty. The spot on the couch that was always warm is just a cushion now. The click of nails on the floor, the jingle of a collar, the particular way they met you at the door...the house has gone quiet in all the places they used to fill.

That is the part of the grieving process that can catch you off guard. Your home looks the same as it always did, but it doesn't feel the same. So much of your daily rhythm was built around them that, without it, you can feel oddly out of place in your own life, like a stranger in a world that used to be familiar.

So be gentle with yourself while you find your footing again. There's no timeline for this, and no right way to do it. The empty moments will soften, slowly, and there will come a day when the quiet morning or the solo walk feels less like an absence and more like a place where their memory keeps you company. Until then, let yourself grieve the small things as much as the big ones. They mattered. And so did all the love behind them. ~Mike

05/29/2026

I am asked often how we are able to do this every day.

The answer is simple: we do this because this is work that genuinely matters.

Our society doesn't often speak about pet loss, or death in general. Information about how to navigate this chapter of a pet's life is often incomplete, or in some cases even contradictory. Grief over pet loss is frequently diminished, which is unfair given how hard saying goodbye can be and the unique bond we share with our pets.

The reality is that there is nothing we can do or say that will make saying goodbye to your pet any easier, so the next best thing is to help you find some peace in the process. It's our sincerest goal with everyone we interact with, even those who don't use our services, to make sure they have the support they need, in whatever form that looks like.

While it may be hard at times, and tears are often shed, it's work worth doing. Seeing the love that exists between owners and their pets is truly beautiful. And if taking the time to listen, to validate, to reassure is what it takes to help someone find that little sliver of peace, then we will always take whatever time you need.

05/20/2026

One of the most common things we hear is “I don’t want to end up in an emergency situation”. As understandable as this is, the fact of the matter is that emergencies happen, no matter how well you plan. Emergency clinics are a vital part of getting care in unexpected situations and ending up at the emergency room with your pet does not mean you did something wrong or "failed" in some way. It simply means that your pet needed help, and you got them that help.

And while I recognize that the ER may not be your preferred place to say goodbye, being at the ER does not mean you do not have any ability to control what this experience is like.

I've reached out to the emergency rooms in our area and they are very accommodating on what you can bring. From these calls came this checklist. The hope is that this downloadable checklist can not only help you plan and prepare but also make the most of an unfortunate situation should you decide going to the emergency room is the best course of action.

You can download this checklist at the following link:

https://www.healingtouchpetcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Emergency-Room-Checklist.pdf

As always we are here to support you in whatever way we can.

05/05/2026

There's a new memorials page on our website, and we'd love for you to be part of it.

You can read the memorials families have already shared here: https://www.healingtouchpetcare.com/memorials/

If you've lost a beloved pet and would like to add your own, you can submit a memorial too. It can be as short or as long as you want. A single sentence about the way they always knew when you were sad. A paragraph about the morning routine you shared for fifteen years. A photo of them in their favorite spot in the sun.
There's no right way to do it, and no right amount to say.

We also want to say this clearly: there's no timeline on grief. Whether your pet passed last week, last year, or a decade ago, their story is welcome here. Some families tell us they find comfort in writing about their pet long after the loss, when they finally feel ready to put words to what that companion meant to them. Others want to share something right away. Both are right.
This page is a quiet place. A community space for the pets who shaped our lives and the families who loved them.

If you'd like to add your beloved companion, you can submit a memorial here: https://pims.healingtouchpetcare.com/memorial/submit

We'd be honored to share their story.

A community space for remembering the pets we've loved and lost. Read memorials shared by families across eastern Wisconsin, and add your own.

04/28/2026

Did you know that we created a (completely) free app for pet owners to track their pet's quality of life and coordinate care with their primary veterinarian? Why did we do this? Well, we truly have a passion for helping support owners as they navigate this chapter of their pet's life and hope that this tool helps in that endeavour. Also, I (Mike) was a software developer in a previous life and needed a new side project and Dr. Kendra was in general practice for three years and recognized the importance of owners knowing what to look for any health concern.

You can download it on IOS and Android devices, or use the web version if you prefer. Links are below.

Apple/IOS - https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6742848196?pt=127679117&ct=Hospet%20(Main%20Website)&mt=8
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hospet.app
Web - https://my.hospet.app

04/15/2026

I heard a quote yesterday that really made me sit down and think about a common sentiment I hear from time to time.

"Just because you could have done more, doesn't mean you didn't do enough."

When it comes to end-of-life care, there is almost always more that can be done. One more specialist, one more treatment, one more surgery.

But "more" and "right" aren't always the same thing, and it's OK to say no. It's OK to prioritize comfort over time. It's OK to say that you want to take this time to focus on being present, rather than chasing every option available. It's OK that some of these treatment options may be beyond what you are able or willing to commit to financially.

You do not have to justify any of that, because when it is all said and done, what matters most is that you were simply there. In being there, you gave them the one thing no treatment ever could: the knowledge that they were loved all the way to the end. That, my friends, is "enough".

~Mike

04/14/2026

Navigating the end of a pet's life is one of the hardest things a family can go through, and it often comes with a lot of beliefs that aren't quite true.

Over the years, we've heard the same things from families at every stage of this journey. Some of these misconceptions add to the weight of an already heavy time.

Swipe through. We hope something here helps.

If any of this resonated, feel free to share it with someone who might need it, and as always, please never hesitate to reach out if we can support you in any way.

03/25/2026

One of the more common questions we get asked is, "How soon can I make an appointment?" We know that scheduling a euthanasia appointment is not an easy phone call to make, so we wanted to give families an easy way to get that answer without having to pick up the phone.

We've added a live availability indicator to our website that gives a idea as to how soon we can see you. It's updated automatically at any time of day. No phone call required.

Note: Exact availability does vary depending on your location within our service area and what our schedule looks like for the day.

We provide a variety of in-home veterinary end-of-life care services for residents of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and surrounding areas.

02/26/2026

This is a cause very close to our hearts. If the family adopting Rocki would find quality of life support helpful, or if, when the time does come, they would prefer an in-home euthanasia, we would gladly provide whatever we can free of charge to help support the family willing to take this guy into their hearts and home

🚨HOSPICE ADOPTER NEEDED
He’s Not Looking for Forever. He’s Looking for Love.
*Adoption Fee Waived

Update 2/27: Rocki has received an incredible amount of interest and currently has several potential adopters lined up! We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and are working through inquiries as quickly as we can in the order they arrived. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm for him. 💛

Meet Rocki. He was diagnosed with mast cell neoplasia (cancer) and has multiple malignant tumors on his skin. Mast cell neoplasia is known for its unpredictable behavior. These tumors can be slow-growing or metastasize quickly to the internal organs or bone marrow. Based on the number of tumors Rocki has and his age, it is suspected that he is in a more middle to advanced stage of cancer.

HSSC does not have the resources to attempt to further diagnose and treat this cancer, as it would require extensive surgeries and likely follow-up chemotherapy and radiation therapies. Even if money were no concern, we simply do not have the resources to provide the needed follow-up care for him.

The average lifespan for a dog with untreated mast cell tumors is anywhere between 4 months and two years, depending on how aggressive the tumors are.

Normally, a dog with this prognosis would be a candidate for medical euthanasia for the reasons listed above. We have made attempts to transfer Rocki to a rescue that can handle his medical needs, but we have run out of options. However, Rocki appears to be very comfortable at this time and seems to be enjoying his life. X-rays taken of his chest and abdomen show no obvious metastasis, though it often does not show up on X-ray.

We thought that perhaps there is someone out there in the community who would take Rocki in as a hospice case and let him enjoy his remaining time in a loving home while he is still having so much fun in life.

Rocki has the saddest eyes you’ll ever see. They may hint at where he’s been — he came to the shelter as a stray — but they don’t tell the whole story. Behind those soulful eyes is a sweet, gentle 8-year-old boy who still greets each day with a wagging tail and an open heart.

Despite everything, he has held onto his friendly spirit. Rocki loves being near his people. He’ll happily join you for a walk, explore the world at your side, and then settle in close when it’s time to relax. He’s the perfect balance — affectionate without being clingy, content to simply share space and companionship. Rocki gets along well with other easygoing dogs and would do well in a home with children who are comfortable around a larger, gentle companion like him. His energy level is just right. He enjoys fresh air and time outside, but he truly appreciates the quiet moments too. A soft bed. A calm home. Kind hands. Just being someone’s dog for however long he can.

Rocki isn’t asking for forever in the traditional sense. He’s asking for a soft landing — a home where he can spend his remaining days surrounded by comfort, patience, and love. A place where he doesn’t have to be brave anymore.

While we expect that keeping Rocki comfortable is all that is needed at this time, adopters should be aware that once adopted, HSSC is unable to provide ongoing veterinary or hospice care support. However, when Rocki’s time does come, the HSSC clinic will provide euthanasia and cremation services at no cost to the adopter(s)

If you can open your heart to a dog who will cherish every good day and every quiet moment beside you, Rocki will meet you with steady companionship and grateful tail wags.

All he wants is a safe place to rest — and a happy ending to his story.

More about Rocki: https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/47339900-sheboygan-wisconsin-mixed-breed-large-mix
Apply to adopt: adoptsheboygancounty.org/adopt

For more info about Rocki, contact our team:
(920) 458-2012 x106
[email protected]