Telos Companion Animal Services, LLC

12/15/2025

Lots of admin work today, including scheduling. 2026—including some dates in early January has some space left fir overnight stays—though 2027 is looking like a lot of fun, too.

I’m hearing locales like Italy, New Zealand, Northern California, Boston & more are on tap for families-of-record in the coming year—where are you thinking of traveling?

12/12/2025

To the numerous pet guardians who are struggling to sort out the unfamiliar decision trees that come with having an aging pet—I see you.

This is happening because quality of well being scales aren’t used when they can make the most difference: earlier in a pet’s life, & often! *Not only* when euthanasia care is being considered.

This on-demand presentation explains how & why to use them & is free of charge to all until Sunday 12/13 with the code: qwb100

The use of thorough quality of life assessment tools is critical to a pet's well being. Lorrie Shaw, CAHP, CHPA teaches you the elements necessary as you look for one, when to use them, & how your pet can live better for longer in this presentation.

12/11/2025

Very excited to pass along an updated list of resources for families in the greater Ann Arbor area for mobile vet hospice care. House call vet practices are in many ways the backbone of hospice, palliative, end of life & death care & we work cooperatively, just as veterinary interdisciplinary teams are intended.

Bookmark this link, & share with those who need it.

Locate mobile/housecall and hybrid veterinary practices in southeast and central Michigan for general vet care, physical rehabilitation, palliative, hospice, end-of-life and euthanasia care.

12/11/2025

If you’re not aware, if you have pet health insurance, it does in some cases cover death care.

As we are sorting their plan for end-of-life, I encourage families I’m working with to make this detail part of the discussion with their primary vet (brick & mortar or housecall), hospice vet, or in home euthanasia-only vet well before the final plan—which should always include the option of euthanasia care—is in place. This detail is important as the financial feature of care informs decisions. And it reduces stress.

12/10/2025

Has your vet prescribed esophageal tube feeding for your pet as part of their short- or long-term treatment or comfort care plan? Feeling nervous about how to perform it at home, on your own is expected.

My handout on e-tube feeding has served many families well for years, & includes video tutorials to see it done in practice & how to hurdle common issues with more confidence.

You can do this!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hHsjQqP6j6SmrSbGW_kBQv511PYfqfyx/view?usp=sharing

12/07/2025

One of my top tips for improving one’s experience during the winter months with dogs.

Dog booties are used to protect a pet’s paws from the elements, mostly in winter. The products used to melt ice can wreak havoc on the pads,...

12/06/2025

Writing prompts are useful when experiencing anticipatory grief surrounding a pet’s impending death. I’ll share one that I’ve found to be appreciable for those families that I’m accompanying through this uncertain time as a CAHP.

‘How have things changed around you since your pet has reached a level of age-related decline where they need significant caregiving, or it was discovered they had a terminal diagnosis?’

12/01/2025

Health care has been a hot topic in the recent election, and it's no wonder: the cost has risen along with the advances that have been made...

11/25/2025

Enhancing a pet guardian’s mastery of caregiving is always a priority for me. This is one area that makes a big impact.

Eating is an activity of daily living (ADL) that looms large in the work that families & I do together. We track the usual aspects of this a...

11/21/2025

One of my best pieces of wisdom for kahus who are doing the hard work of daily caregiving a pet who is declining, or are grieving the loss of a beloved pet:

‘Get out of your own way.’

Just relax. Don’t try too hard. Take things as they come. No need to catastrophize or look too far ahead. What is going to happen will happen. You’re doing your best. 🩵

11/20/2025

I find that many kahus are confused about options for death care (animal hospice supported natural death or euthanasia) & aftercare (cremation, aquamation, etc.) options, & the benefits of understanding them before the need to tap into them arises.

My presentation on the topic is available to everyone free of charge until Saturday evening 11/22 with the code 'prepare' entered at checkout. It's education that all of my families enrolled in an animal hospice palliative care concierge support plan get, & now, you can too.

Death care & aftercare are essential parts of tending to the details that allow for the best possible experience with a pet's death. Lorrie Shaw, CAHP, CHPA walks you through options & considerations to keep in mind.

11/19/2025

Cuddling with an old dog on the bed, watching BritBox & we are trading bedtime stories. 🩵