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Until the End
Compassionate care is just as important for pets during their final moments
Lake Norman Currents | October 2013
Their soulful eyes, soft paws and loyal, loving hearts make pets family members. And, when a beloved companion is disabled, elderly or terminally ill, the hardest decision to make is about end-oflife care. Dr. Keith Tillman and his wife, Deb, not only have been through this grieving process themselves several times, but they also are trained and experienced at walking the journey with others. “I don’t wear a white lab coat,” says Tillman, “so I’m often welcomed by pets in the place where they are most relaxed. Families are able to spend the time they need — it’s a peaceful, private, inhome experience.” Owners of Comfort At Home Mobile Pet Hospice and Euthanasia, Tillman is a veterinarian (formerly with Animal Village Hospital in Mooresville) and is certified in pet loss support, and his wife is a licensed veterinary technician who is earning a master’s degree in gerontology. The Lake Norman couple cares for their patients (and their patients’ “parents”) just like family. Comfort At Home serves the area with compassionate and personalized care for those who face grieving the death of a furry companion. Emphasizing “because there’s no place like home,” the mobile service is growing quickly — since it started in November 2001 — by referrals from vets throughout the Charlotte area when it’s time for curative care to become comfort care. Whether assistance is needed for just a few days or months, Tillman guides people through how to help their pets have quality of life, especially when there’s loss of mobility. He also assists with burial or transportation for cremation. Leslie Reid is the director of Pet Pilgrimage, which offers crematory, memorial and grief counseling services on the campus of Gavin-Cook Funeral 16
The Cox family looks forward to a fun-filled fall day in honor of their daughter, Audrey.
In Honor of Audrey
Jason and Jennifer Cox celebrate their daughter’s courage From left, Dr. Keith Tillman and Leslie Reid want to make sure pets have a full life until the very end.
Home in Mooresville. She helps families say goodbye to their beloved companions and deal with the devastating loss. “It’s a real struggle — they’re like our children,” says Reid, noting that she and Tillman fully “get” that pets are like furry toddlers because they are dependent and bring such delight. Pet Pilgrimage offers paw print keepsakes and more, including a free support group.* “There’s a huge need,” adds Reid, who also is certified in pet loss support. “It’s okay to grieve the death of a pet — sometimes it takes two weeks and sometimes months or longer.” — Lee McCracken, photography by Ben Sherrill * Pet Loss Support Group meets monthly on the second and fourth Tuesdays, 5:30-7 p.m., at Gavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 E. Plaza Drive, Mooresville.
The Scoop Comfort At Home Mobile Pet Hospice and Euthanasia Dr. Keith Tillman 704.517.4934 www.ComfortAtHomePet.com Pet Pilgrimage Crematory and Memorials Leslie Reid 704.589.1817 www.PetPilgrimage.com
Jennifer Cox knows the ins and outs of leukemia all too well. When her daughter, Audrey, was just 20 months old, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Now a vibrant 2-and-ahalf-year-old, Audrey is in remission, but she still has to withstand two years of chemotherapy. “Leukemia takes a long time to treat,” says Jennifer, who owns The Brow Lounge at Jetton Village and lives in Cornelius with her husband, Jason; and Audrey’s twin brother, Macauley (Mac). “She’s [Audrey] our little firecracker.” To honor their little firecracker, Jennifer and Jason are holding Fall Festival at the Speedpark in Honor of Audrey Cox. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the recently renovated Speedpark at Concord Mills. “There will be pizza, popcorn, carnival games and live music,” says Jennifer. “It will just be a fun-filled day in honor of Audrey.” The Speedpark also offers a 100-foot fun slide, go-karts, miniature golf, The Spider Jump (a reverse bungee system) and more. All of the proceeds will go to Audrey’s Angels Charity, a non-profit organization Jason and Jennifer are in the process of founding. “Because of Audrey’s situation, we’ve met a lot of families who have children with cancer,” explains Jennifer. “This charity will help support those families here.” — Lori K. Tate, photography courtesy of Jennifer Cox by Karen Goforth The Scoop Fall Festival at the Speedpark in Honor of Audrey Cox is October 26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Speedpark at Concord Mills. Admission is free, an unlimited ride and game pass is $35 and you can also purchase individual game tickets. All proceeds benefit Audrey’s Angels Charity.
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