Sunset Vets Palliative and End of Life Care (Sunset Vets) was started in 2014 by a single veterinarian determined to redefine how families facing end-of-life decisions with their pets are supported. Over the last decade, Sunset Vets has grown into a national service, and we are proud to be leading the way in palliative medicine and end-of-life care.
Sunset Vets now operates via a team of dedicated palliative care vets, who visit the homes of patients in need throughout Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. These wonderful vets are supported by an incredible team of head office Care Coordinators who compassionately support grieving families every single day.
Meet some of our wonderful vets who provide at-home peaceful goodbyes and palliative care services to clients throughout our regions below.
Dr Angela | Brisbane
Dr Angela knew she wanted to be a vet from the time she was five years old and after starting her career in general practice, she quickly learnt that she wanted to provide comfort care and relief for an owner. Dr Angela now provides at-home end-of-life care in the Brisbane region.
“I believe that it’s a privilege to be trusted to do what we do. Supporting our patients in a peaceful and calm environment is very rewarding. Assessing patients in a home environment that they’re comfortable in also really appealed to me. I felt like I was able to make a real difference to animals and their families and develop a clear action plan.
When it comes to saying goodbye to a pet, the needs of every family are very different. I take a holistic approach in my appointments and part of that is looking at the big picture, finding out what’s important, and honouring the individual needs of the client whether it be spiritual, emotional, or other. Ensuring owner needs are met is crucial to my care model as it’s something that’s also very important to me as a pet owner.”
Dr Ashlee | Canberra
Dr Ashlee is a Canberra-based Veterinarian who works specifically with pets approaching the end of their life. A powerhouse in the industry, she is one of a small number of Australian vets who hold an IAAHPC Certification (International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care) in addition to her Veterinary qualifications. Dr Ashlee is well-known in the Canberra region as an incredibly compassionate and experienced palliative care vet.
“Palliative care is so important. Pets are notorious for hiding their pain, and they suffer through it. In General Practice it’s common to see a euthanasia patient who’s been struggling with unmanaged pain for years. Palliative medicine can help manage that pain and improve a pet’s quality of life. I want to increase awareness and education on palliative medicine so pets can be comfortable during their final years.
The benefit of palliative care is that it’s tailored to each family. One of the first things we do on an initial visit is to discuss the end and put parameters in place so we know when a palliative patient will become a euthanasia patient. Our goal is comfort; we do not want to extend an animal’s life if they are uncomfortable and unhappy.
When the time has come to say goodbye, a pet is old and sore. They’re scared and they feel vulnerable and while clinics are incredible and they’re the place you want to be when something is treatable, it’s not home, and it’s not as comfortable. Knowing I’m taking that stress away from a beautiful pet who already doesn’t feel well, brings me peace and comfort. And that’s something I hold onto when a goodbye is particularly tough.”
Dr Monika | Sunshine Coast
Dr Monika has worked as a Sunset Vets palliative care vet for over six years and has supported countless Sunshine Coast families through their grief whilst providing gentle and compassionate care to beloved pets.
“Palliative care is about making an animal as comfortable and pain-free as possible. My role is to be there for as long as required and it’s comforting for owners to know they can reach out to our support team any time they have concerns.
It’s important for me to make sure the family is comfortable, and I always like to ask about their pets.
I love hearing stories and it helps me understand my clients, my patients and the bond they share. People so often think a euthanasia appointment is full of tears and grief, and yes, sometimes it is. But it can also be a really beautiful thing. There can be smiles and laughter when remembering the good times. And the pet passes on in their home surrounded by their loved ones. It’s a beautiful and peaceful way to say goodbye.”
Read more about Dr Monika HERE.
Dr Amanda | Melbourne
Dr Amanda, who has been a veterinarian for 25 years, is one of our Melbourne vets and she combines extensive experience with traditional Chinese medicine for her palliative patients. Since launching in Melbourne in 2023, Dr Amanda has supported many families through the difficulties of saying goodbye.
“It’s a really special time to be allowed into a pet’s life. You don’t become a vet unless you care about animals. And being allowed to care for and support a patient and their family at the end is such an honour.
Providing end-of-life care in the home alleviates a great deal of stress for the pet and the owner. I gave a beautiful patient her wings recently; and providing this service at home allowed this cat to remain in her favourite spot on the couch, next her favourite person, dozing in the sun. I was able to complete the entire euthanasia with her curled up in an environment that she loved and was comfortable in which is just so respectful to the patient.
A good life deserves a good end, and it is such an honour to be trusted enough to alleviate suffering and help a beloved member of a family move on.”
Dr Cherrie | Brisbane
Dr Cherrie is a palliative care vet who has worked with Sunset Vets since 2021. She joined Sunset Vets with the intention of ‘contributing to end-of-life care with compassion’. Since 2021 Dr Cherrie has provided incredible guidance, support and care to many Brisbane pets and their families.
“People need to be able to say goodbye to their pets in the comfort of their home and have their last months be comfortable. I really resonated with the Sunset Vets values, and it was an easy decision to work within this field of medicine.
As a vet you are taught to treat, treat, treat. But palliative care patients are either elderly or have a terminal diagnosis, so the goalposts move.
We are now working to make them comfortable and keep their quality of life rather than cure them. A crucial part of palliative care is working closely with owners to make sure they’re well-informed, well-prepared and on board with the objectives of palliative care.
Of course, there’s sadness at every goodbye and sometimes I do dwell, and I have a thought for my patient and their family. But time heals all wounds. I find the relief I can give families helps me with processing grief. A professional has come in and reassured them that they are making the right decision and it’s a relief for them to hear. People just want what’s best for their pet.”
