Last Wishes mobile pet euthanasia service adds storefront hospice for pets – Chron.com

By Carol Christian, Houston Chronicle

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Keep clicking to see a gallery of some unusual last wishes of people near the end of their lives:

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Keep clicking to see a gallery

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last Wishes, a pet euthanasia service, has added a stationary hospice to its previously all-mobile business. The new center at 3036 Antoine Drive opened Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Last wishes come in many forms. Some are more unusual than others.

Last wishes come in many forms. Some are more unusual than others.

Family time

Family time

Fictional

Fictional

A final visit

A final visit

Stopping time

Stopping time

The final wishes of Charles Peeples, a Seguin tow truck operator and owner, were granted when his hearse was given a final lift by his flatbed during his funeral procession on June 4, 2016.

The final wishes of Charles Peeples, a Seguin tow truck operator and owner, were granted when his hearse was given a final lift by his flatbed during his funeral procession on June 4, 2016.

A new home

A new home

Celebration

Celebration

Devin Kohlman rests at his home in Port Clinton, Ohio after returning from a Cincinnati hospital. Kohlman, a boy whose last wish was to be home for his favorite holiday, has died, two weeks after his hometown welcomed him with a Christmas tree outside his window and a motorcycle-riding Santa Claus. Devin, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 2012, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2013 in the afternoon, said family friend Roseann Hickman.

Devin Kohlman rests at his home in Port Clinton, Ohio after returning from a Cincinnati hospital. Kohlman, a boy whose last wish was to be home for his favorite holiday, has died, two weeks

Clear his name

Clear his name

Being there

Being there

Heart and home

Heart and home

Warn the living

Warn the living

Snowy romp

Snowy romp

Last Wishes mobile pet euthanasia service adds storefront hospice for pets

Anyone who lives with companion animals knows that the bond is unique, but can be just as profound as the connection with human loved ones.

So when it's time to put down a pet that is terminally ill or otherwise suffering, animal lovers want to do it as humanely as possible, but may struggle to make the decision.

Helping people cope with that struggle has led to a successful business known as Last Wishes, a 4-year-old mobile pet euthanasia service that allows animals to die at home in a familiar and comfortable environment.

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Owned by Dr. Christie Cornelius, Last Wishes has also opened a storefront hospice at 3036 Antoine to provide pet owners another option.

"For people who don't wish to have services performed in their homes or are looking for a less-expensive alternative, we offer in-center euthanasia," Cornelius said.

"What we're offering in our center is a home away from home," she said. "The 'exam rooms' look like living rooms with plush furniture and area rugs in a nice, relaxing, stress-free environment."

The center, near U.S. 290 and West 34th Street in northwest Houston, also offers pain management, laser therapy, acupuncture, pet-loss support groups and community networking, Cornelius said.

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Most clients come to Last Wishes, either the mobile service or Antoine Drive center, through referrals from other veterinarians, but Cornelius said a referral is not required,

"After a long conversation, we get an idea of whether euthanasia is warranted," she said. "We talk (clients) through a quality-of-life evaluation, to see in what ways their pets are suffering. Typically when an owner is ready, the pet is ready."

A new service, "aquamation," is being offered through a sister business, Earthman Last Wishes, which Cornelius co-owns with partner David Earthman. Rather than cremation of a body through burning, aquamation uses water with a salt base and takes about 20 hours.

"We have the first unit for private use in Texas," Cornelius said of the aquamation facility. "It's an environmentally friendly way to honor your pet."

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Last Wishes mobile pet euthanasia service adds storefront hospice for pets - Chron.com