Rethinking Veterinary Education: Why Training for Death and Dying Matters
It’s time to teach our upcoming vets that not every goodbye needs to be rushed or medicalized.
Companion blog post to the Peace of Mind for Pet Parents Podcast episode 020: Death Is Part of Life: What Vet Schools Leave Out.
We ask veterinarians to do the impossible
They’re expected to heal the sick, comfort the frightened, hold space for heartbreak, and — far too often — make the final decision about when a pet dies.
And yet, in all their years of training, few receive any meaningful education in what death actually is — let alone how to support a natural dying process or talk with families about it.
This is not their fault. It's the system’s failure.
In this week’s episode of Peace of Mind for Pet Parents, Gail and I stepped outside our usual caregiving stories to ask a bigger question: Why isn’t death a part of veterinary education — when it’s such a fundamental part of life with animals?
Death isn’t the opposite of life — it’s part of it
So many pet parents reach out to us after receiving a difficult or terminal diagnosis for their beloved companion. More often than not, their vet has offered a grim timeline and one option: euthanasia.
Sometimes that’s absolutely appropriate. But too often, it’s offered as a first and only step — rather than one of many possible paths.
We believe death can be honored — even beautiful — when it’s approached with understanding, planning, and a willingness to support living through the final stages of dying.
Veterinarians deserve to be educated in that.
And pet parents deserve to know that this path exists.
Veterinarians aren’t trained in grief, ritual, or the natural dying process
In our conversation, we explored how veterinary training often bypasses:
- The emotional and spiritual dimensions of death
- Tools for navigating family grief or caregiver guilt
- Recognition of suffering — and how much can be tolerated or managed in palliative care
- The idea that not every illness must be “cured” to be lovingly supported
Veterinary school teaches triage and treatment. But death doesn’t always need a fix — it needs a framework.
And right now, that framework is largely missing.
But here’s a deeper question we all need to sit with:
Why have we become so accustomed to scheduling death?
Why is it that the moment we hear “there’s nothing more we can do,” we rush to call and book an appointment — as though death is something to be administered, like a service?
Have we become so uncomfortable with the natural unfolding of life’s final chapter that we believe control is the only humane option?
The result? Compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral distress
We know many veterinarians are suffering. The rate of suicide in the profession is tragically high — particularly for women and early-career vets. And while there are many reasons, one common thread we hear is this:
“I didn’t go to school to euthanize animals all day.”
When the only solution you can offer a loving family is death — and there’s no training to support anything else — it takes a toll on the soul.
And it takes a toll on the pet parent, too. They’re often left wondering: Was that our only choice? Did we rush it? Could there have been another way?
What if we taught death the same way we teach healing?
This isn’t about turning veterinarians into hospice chaplains or forcing anyone to do something they’re not comfortable with. It’s about adding more tools to their toolbox — and giving them permission to walk a different kind of path with families.
That could look like:
- Incorporating natural death and hospice concepts into veterinary curriculum
- Teaching communication skills around grief, fear, and uncertainty
- Collaborating with mobile vets or palliative care specialists
- Validating a pet parent’s choice to wait — and teaching how to support that wait with comfort and safety
The veterinary field is beginning to evolve, but we have a long way to go.
It’s time to expand the definition of "care"
When vets are trained only in intervention, death becomes the enemy.
But when death is part of the conversation from the beginning — not just at the end — then there’s room for presence, peace, and partnership.
And maybe, just maybe, our vets can feel less like grim reapers and more like compassionate guides.
This conversation isn’t about blame
— it’s about possibility
We deeply respect the veterinarians we work with. We know they carry enormous responsibility. And we know most of them are doing their absolute best.
But the system that trained them needs to change.
Because when we equip veterinarians with knowledge about the natural dying process — and the emotional tools to walk alongside it — everyone benefits.
Especially the animals we all love so much.
How We Can Help
BrightHaven Caregiver Academy offers gentle, soulful support to help you navigate loss and begin healing with love and intention.
- Consultations Services: Get personalized advice on creating and adjusting care plans from our experienced team.
- Caregivers’ Hub: Whether you're just beginning to worry about your pet’s health or you're deep in the trenches of daily care, the Hub is here to help you feel more confident, less alone, and deeply supported—every step of the way.
- BCA Shop: Visit our Shop for curated products designed to enhance your pet’s comfort and care
Together, we can help you and your pet navigate this challenging journey with resilience, compassion, and, above all, peace of mind. Sign up for our mailing list to stay informed about new resources and services designed to support you and your pet on this journey.
