It's a Final Act of Caring

We are dedicated to making your pet’s last moments peaceful and comfortable. Through the years we have become advocates for Home Euthanasia, providing pets and their families with a peaceful, comfortable passing in familiar surroundings.

It’s a Final Act of Caring

Many local vets recommend Journeys Pet and we are the only vets in Dane county to provide in-home euthanasia exclusively. Hundreds of online reviews and client endorsements are available for you to help make your choice.

“We need help now”

If your home is within our service area and you and your pet have an immediate need for an in-home euthanasia, please call us. We would like to discuss your pet’s situation as soon as possible.

The earlier in the day you call, the more availability we may have on short notice. Our hours are: M-F, 6AM to 7PM and Sat/Sun 6AM to 5PM (CST).

“We need help soon”

Thank you for considering Journeys Home. We provide in-home euthanasia services for pet families in Dane County and the surrounding area.

Hours and Availability: M-F, 6AM to 7PM and Sat/Sun 6AM to 5PM (CST). Please call to discuss our current available appointment times.

FAQs

“We might need you in the upcoming weeks”

Unfortunately, our pet’s health can and often does deteriorate as they approach the end of life. As you and your vet recognize a decline in your pet’s well-being, we recommend that you occasionally use our JOURNEYS Quality of Life Scale quiz to track aspects of your pet’s life. It will help you assess changes to their overall comfort and happiness.

JOURNEYS Quality of Life Scale quiz

Hear from our doctors about how we’re here to help, and why we do what we do.

The Story of Journeys Home

It’s Our Calling

Dr. Katie Hilst started a house call business in 2007 and soon realized that families needed support throughout the decision-making and home euthanasia process. Often the circumstances changed suddenly, and she needed to be available on short notice and on weekends.

She started to envision a business model where veterinarians could offer peaceful home euthanasia and assist families with a final act of caring. She founded Journeys Home and started her search for compassionate veterinarians who felt, as she did, a calling to help people through one of the most difficult times of their lives.

Dr. Laura Purdy joined Journeys Home during the summer of 2015, and after 3 1/2 years of helping pets and their families, she became a partner at Journeys Home in the fall of 2018. She believed that in-home euthanasia was an invaluable service and that providing comfort to pets and families at the end of life was truly where she needed to be.

Dr. Christine Nelson began working part-time with Journeys in early 2018 while also filling in at some local clinics. After seeing what an extraordinary experience in-home euthanasia can be, she joined as a partner in November 2019 to do her part in making this special process more widely available to the pet community.

Over the years, Journeys Home has grown to serve the needs of our community, and our team now includes eight incredible veterinarians who all support the following principles:

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Home euthanasia is the way we can most help and serve pets and their families. We can help people feel comfortable expressing their grief in losing a pet.

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Our 2-step protocol is the best way to help the pets we serve to pass peacefully.

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Pets should leave their life in familiar, comfortable surroundings with the family they love at their side.

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The final moments of a pet’s life are precious, and the family deserves to spend those moments with their pet privately without the curious glances of strangers wondering what is going on.

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It is important to help families express their grief, guilt, and profound sense of loss in losing a pet.

We feel it is both a privilege and an honor to help pet families with
“A Final Act of Caring.”

We had Dr Kitt make a house call today. My bestest boy, Chance, made his way across the Rainbow Bridge after loving me for 16 years. I have to say, in all sincerity, Kitt was absolutely amazing. Very understanding, pleasant conversation and she let us move at a pace that we were comfortable with. She was very inclusive with the process, all while making us feel, weirdly at peace with our decision.

I’m willing to say, Dr Kitt is one of the most genuine and kindest person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Thank you so very much for helping my family through a very difficult process. (And no, this picture isn’t from today, he was old and slept a lot 😬)

Raymond Campbell

I’m so grateful that a friend of mine told me about Journeys Home. I was very distraught over the fact that my veterinarian’s office would no longer come to your home for euthanasia services. My elderly kitty, Moses, was getting close to the end of his journey, and I was dreading having to take him to the clinic to help him transition.

Dr. Christine made a heartbreaking experience as peaceful as possible, and I will be forever grateful that they offer this service. My only regret is not knowing about Journeys Home earlier.

Lori Weber

What an amazing service this is. A vet had recommended them years ago when our last dog had cancer and was in pain, and I was so impressed with them. So I called again when my current dog was going downhill fast and it was time.

Dr. Laura came and was so amazing. She made me feel so comfortable and relieved and confident that my decision to let my boy go was the correct one. She was great with him too, and took great care to make sure his passing was easy and peaceful. incredibly professional and personable.

They made a very tough moment so much easier. And my boy was sent on his way with no anxiety, in his home, surrounded by his family.

Jenn Weitzman

Perfect. From the moment we decided to let our 13 year old black lab (Mya) go, I was an emotional wreck. I knew it was the best thing I could do for her, but it still hurt my heart. I knew Mya HATED going to the vet and doing so would cause her anxiety and I do NOT want that to be her last emotion. SO I reached out to Journey’s home and I immediately knew this was the right decision. Laura was great in communicating with me via e-mail and Dr. Katie was amazing.

She showed up on time, was so sweet and comforting, she talked to my kids before hand so they understood what was going to happen. She was patient, professional, caring and so sweet. She did a paw print for us that we will treasure forever. She even gave me a perfectly timed hug that I needed so badly. I would highly recommend this service to anyone having to face the difficult decision to euthanize their furry friend. Mya passed peacefully in our backyard surrounded by her family, that is all I could have asked for. Thank you Journey’s Home, we will never forget what you have done for us and our beloved Mya.

Eri Anders

It is a rarity in life that you meet someone so wonderful at such a devastating time. As we prepared to lose our beautiful little boy, Prince, to cancer, my husband was given a recommendation that same day to contact Dr. Katie Hilst of Journeys Home. Katie is truly an angel on earth. She was kind, compassionate and loving to two complete strangers and our beloved companion of fifteen years. We were allowed to have the lights in our home turned down low, candles lit, soft music playing in the background and our Princie’s beloved heated blanket to rest on.

As incredibly difficult as the situation was, it could not have been a more peaceful transition for our sweet boy. We cried freely while Katie explained the entire process to us, step by step, treating us and our Prince with nothing but kindness and true compassion. We truly cannot say enough about Katie. When the day comes and you have to make incredibly difficult decisions, please consider the warmth and comfort of your own home with Journeys Home. You will not regret it.

Tonia Baumgartner

It's a Final Act of Caring