​Many pet guardians dismiss the changes they notice in their senior or geriatric pets as "something that just happens" or "it's just aging"—and as a result, the whole family, including the pet, simply learns to live with it. These changes can show up in activity levels, mobility, appetite, energy, willingness to engage, and behavior—like increased grumpiness or losing interest in things they once loved.

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The years pass quickly, and gradually settling into life with an aging pet can make these shifts feel normal. But the assumption that it's "just aging" can easily mask how much is actually possible—there's a great deal that can be done to maximize mobility, comfort, happiness, vitality, and overall well-being.

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Figuring out what that looks like for your individual pet isn't always intuitive, and it's not something you should have to navigate alone. But it can be hard when you’re uncertain about when to ask for help or what help is needed. You see, we know that historically – and even with the advances in veterinary medicine – there’s still a gap with senior and geriatric pets (and those with terminal diagnoses). You might have noticed that if you’ve a puppy or young dog, the conversations and guidance are robust: vaccination schedules, training, socialization, risk factors, navigating family life and staying healthy.  But when it comes to pets that have reached the pinnacle of senior and geriatric life, things look different. Often, with the suggestion that a senior bloodwork panel be done, maybe a solid senior pain assessment and a conversation about osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease, what’s often heard beyond that doesn’t feel like it sticks. 

 

I believe that just as a system is in place to support kahus of younger, more resilient pets, one should be firmly established for those with aging pets. You see, my perspective is of minding the gap: a famous safety warning from the London Underground used to advise passengers to pay attention to the gap between the door the platform’s edge. I help families bridge that inherent gap as they stay connected to their veterinary interdisciplinary team. That’s done by empowering families to understand how they can meet their pet’s changing needs, to lean into what their goals, beliefs and wishes are for their senior or geriatric pet, and to meet them where they are. Because navigating this rich time with meaningful, ongoing support is how that's accomplished. 

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That's why you're invited to enroll in the Core Level Support Plan—just as many other pet guardians have. Starting at $75/month, it gives you access to the foundational support that makes a real, lasting difference, now and well into the future.

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​​​​Your plan includes:

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• A personal consultation to kick things off and properly assess your and your pet's needs

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• Expert guidance connecting you with vital local resources—veterinary professionals, pet care providers, products, and more—tailored to your pet's and family's evolving needs

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• Regular, scheduled check-ins each month (available in person or remotely)

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• Complimentary access to the virtual learning hub, covering topics relevant to caregivers of pets with changing needs

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• Complimentary download of the Telos Quality of Well-Being Assessment Tool

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• Deep, meaningful emotional support for guardian caregivers and their pet

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• ​Effective communication, nuanced understanding—and zero judgement 

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• ​​​Advocacy to facilitate the most robust support and conversations with vets and veterinary interdiscplinary teams possible​​​

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• ​​Educating guardians on what to expect with the trajectory of their pet’s diagnoses​

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• Coaching on proper administration of medications and troubleshooting pet and caregiver challenges, using Fear Free principles ​​​​​​

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• Environmental (home and outdoor) safety assessments and ideas to maximize well being, optimal safety and mobility​

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• ​​​​​Help and perspective on appetite challenges, including those that are unreliable, waning and absent

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• ​​​​Coaching on recognizing behaviors that can be indicative of anxiety, discomfort, pain, nausea and distress​​​

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• Enrichment education to help reduce pet boredom and enhance mental and emotional well being, with a focus on those pets with mobility issues and cognitive decline

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• And more

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​Whether you're looking for ongoing support or simply want a one-time consultation to get a clear picture of where your pet is and what lies ahead, you'll be far better equipped to meet the changing needs of your pet during this meaningful time—and to do so with confidence.

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Available to families in the greater Ann Arbor area, with an all-virtual option for those elsewhere in the U.S.