Grief Support

It is very difficult to lose a beloved pet.  If you need help with the grief, Hospice of the Valley provides a pet loss supprt group on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 10:30am.  

Hospice of the Valley Pet Loss Support Group

1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ  85014

(at 16th St. and Osborn)

(602) 530-6900  

In Loving Memory of Jake

Jake - Died  2 weeks ago at age 19.

This picture was taken 1 week before he died.



Hospice Care

Hospice Care is now being offered at Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital - (602) 277-1464.   

I am extremely grateful to the owners of Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital for allowing me to provide medical guidance and assistance for owners who wish to care for their terminally ill or elderly dying pet in the comfort of their own homes.

Hospice care means providing palliative (comfort-oriented rather than cure-oriented care) for terminally ill or frail elderly dogs and cats that have been given less than 6 months to live. My care focuses on keeping the pet pain free, comfortable as well as to provide emotional support for the family.

Hospice care bridges the gap between aggressive medical intervention and euthanasia.  It gives family members precious time with their dying pet and helps family members cope with the approaching death of their beloved companion.

Circadian Rhythm

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine each of 12 main organs in the body function with the most strength and energy for 2 hours within the 24 hour day and night cycle.  Knowing the circadian rhythm of the body helps practitioners determine a pattern of disease leading to a more specific treatment.

• 3 am -5 am       Lung                      (yin)
• 5 am -7 am       Large Intestine       (yang)
• 7 am - 9 am      Stomach                (yang)
• 9 am - 11 am    Spleen/Pancreas    (yin)
• 11 am 1 pm      Heart                     (yin)
• 1 pm - 3 pm     Small Intestine        (yang)
• 3 pm - 5 pm     Urinary Bladder      (yang)
• 5 pm -7 pm      Kidney                   (yin)
• 7 pm - 9pm      Pericardium            (yin)
• 9 pm - 11 pm   Triple Heater          (yang)
• 11 pm - 1 am   Gall Bladder           (yang)
• 1 am - 3 am     Liver                       (yin)

If a patient seems to consistently vomit around midnight each evening, then the liver or gall bladder may be the underlying cause versus a patient who vomits in the morning and therefore likely has a spleen or stomach imbalance.