The Role of the Veterinary Technician in End-of-Life Care

In addressing end-of-life care in veterinary medicine, the role of the veterinary technician can have a profound impact on quality of life during the final days in a pet's life. The role of the veterinary technician in end-of-life care is multifaceted, as duties range from nursing care to social and emotional support for pet caregivers. Human hospice care is helpful as a a model to better understand the importance of palliative care in animals. The skills of the veterinary technician are well suited for caring for hospice and palliative care patients. This article demonstrates and reviews how a technician's expertise is used in end-of-life care including assistance in the euthanasia process.