About Dr. Kari Trotsky – Founder and Owner of Peaceful Endings for Pets

ORGANIZATIONS

I am a proud member of these organizations:
—American Veterinary Medical Association
—International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
—Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

EDUCATION

I completed 2 2/3 trimesters at North Central College (NCC) before I gained acceptance into the Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Illinois. Being a veterinarian was what I’ve always wanted to become since a very young age, so I jumped at the chance and left NCC before graduation. In 1996, I was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medicine and in 1998, I was awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

PRACTICE / CHIEF-OF-STAFF

I then practiced at four different hospitals: Countryside Veterinary Clinic for 2 years, Downers Grove Animal Hospital and Bird Clinic for about 1 year, VCA Bolingbrook for about a year, mixed relief and emergency work for about 1 year, then 8 years at Banfield Pet Hospital of Bloomingdale. I become Chief-of-Staff, mentored new doctors, and ran the hospital with a team of over 4 doctors and 30 paraprofessionals. I was very successful at what I did, but practicing was very demanding and after 13 years, I needed something new.

NEXT PHASE OF CAREER

I didn’t know what that “something” would be, but I left Banfield and practice in the summer of 2011 and I had the summer to develop new interests that I was always too busy to do, as well as spend time with friends and family who had, unfortunately, become secondary to my job. After the summer ended, I still needed to decide what path I should take. My friend told me about something she had considered before accepting an animal emergency position – at-home euthanasia. It seemed like something I could do while I tried to figure out what the next phase of my veterinary career would be. Little did I know that at-home euthanasia would be the next phase.

HOW I STARTED

I was hired by a company to do at-home euthanasia and it became a perfect fit for me. I opened the Chicago region up for this company, who also employs veterinarians in other states, and built up awareness of at-home euthanasia to clients and veterinarians alike. After 1 1/2 yrs, I created my own company, Peaceful Endings for Pets, and had my first appointment in March, 2013.

MY PASSION.

My passion is to make pets in hospice as comfortable as possible for the time they have left, and to provide the most pain-free and peaceful transition when it is time for them to pass. Having performed many euthanasias in a hospital/clinic setting, I can attest that the experience is so much better for both pets and people when it’s performed in the familiar setting of a home, a backyard, or even the forest preserve where the pet loved to play.

HOW I’M ABLE TO DO WHAT I DO.

The number one question I get asked is, “How do you do this day in and day out?” My answer to that stems from my intuitive ability to communicate with dogs and cats. I’ve always had this ability to know what my pets are trying to tell me, what they want, and what I can do for them. I have a keen sense that enables me to read body language in pets that I’ve discovered and honed over many years. Because of this, I feel I am uniquely qualified to be able to help pets and families in need, and in return, I feel a large sense of fulfillment. I feel it is an honor when I am chosen to be the person that helps your pet at the end of his life, and I do everything possible behind the scenes so that you can be in the moment with your pet and not have to worry about anything else.

HOW DO YOU, THE PET PARENT, MAKE THIS ULTIMATE DECISION FOR YOUR PET?

You make the decision out of love. It is awful to watch your pet in pain. So, if your pet has a terminal condition and living out his life would cause pain, the loss of dignity by soiling on himself, or confusion as to why he can do longer get up and walk like he once did, peaceful euthanasia is your only option.

YOUR PET HAS BEEN THERE FOR YOU DURING THE WORST TIMES OF YOUR LIFE, AND THE BEST TIMES OF YOUR LIFE. YOUR DUTY, TO HONOR YOUR PET’S LIFE, IS TO PROVIDE HIM/HER THE MOST PEACEFUL, PAIN-FREE PASSING AS POSSIBLE. YOU LOVE YOUR PET TOO MUCH TO OFFER ANYTHING LESS.

By providing your pet with this peace, you will know in your heart that you did good by her. You will look back on her passing with love, not regret. You will give her what she gave you – unconditional love.