Helping Hands Pet Hospice and Home Euthanasia Service

06/22/2026

The QCWs spent Fathers Day teaching their dad how to share his snacks.

We hope everyone had an amazing weekend celebrating and honoring the father figures in your lives! 💚 🐾

06/20/2026

Not every senior pet can handle the long walks they once enjoyed, but that doesn’t mean their adventures have to end.

One of our favorite ways to add enrichment to a senior pet’s day is a “Sniffari.” Simply clip on the leash and head outside for a slow-paced exploration close to home. It might be the backyard, the front yard, a trip to the mailbox, or a short stroll down the street.

For dogs, sniffing is more than just stopping to smell the roses. It’s mental stimulation, exercise, and a chance to experience the world around them at their own pace.

Let them set the agenda. Follow their nose. Pause when they want to pause. Take in all the interesting scents along the way.

We’d love to see your senior pets enjoying their own Sniffari today. Share a photo in the comments and tell us where their adventure took them. 💚🐾

06/19/2026

Ordering medications online can be convenient, but not every website selling pet medications is legitimate.

Recently, veterinarians across the country raised concerns about products marketed as prescription allergy medications being sold online without a prescription requirement. In some cases, pets became ill after taking these products, and questions remain about what was actually in them.

Before purchasing medications online for your pet:

✔ Use pharmacies that require a valid prescription when appropriate
✔ Verify the pharmacy’s credentials
✔ Be cautious of prices that seem unusually low
✔ Ask your veterinarian if you’re unsure about a product or website

A little research can go a long way toward protecting your pet’s health.

Have questions about a medication or online pharmacy? Your veterinary team is always a great place to start. 💚🐾

06/18/2026

Happy Birthday to Candace! 🎉💚

As one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians, Candace brings knowledge, compassion, and a steady presence to every family she helps. Whether she’s supporting our doctors, caring for patients, or helping pet parents navigate difficult decisions, she does it all with kindness and heart.

Those who know Candace know her love for animals runs deep, and that dedication shines through in everything she does.

We are grateful to have her as part of the Helping Hands family and hope she has a birthday filled with happiness, love, and plenty of reasons to smile.

Happy Birthday, Candace! 🐾🎂💚

06/15/2026

Rabies is rare, but it still exists, and this recent story out of Polk County is an important reminder to take bites and scratches from stray animals seriously. A stray cat reportedly attacked multiple people and a puppy before testing positive for rabies per the Florida Department of Health⁠.

If your pet is bitten, scratched, or has any contact with a stray or wild animal, contact your veterinarian right away. Keeping your pet’s rabies vaccine current is one of the most important things you can do to protect them. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop, but it is preventable through vaccination.

It’s also a good reminder to avoid handling stray animals, even when they appear friendly or injured. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.

We’re thinking of everyone affected by this incident and grateful for the veterinary and public health teams working to keep both people and pets safe. 💚 🐾

A cat that went on a rampage in Polk County, attacking five people and a puppy to the point where one victim had to fend it off with a baseball bat, tested positive for rabies, authorities say.

06/12/2026

🐾💚 The decision about what to do with your pet’s remains is deeply personal. It’s a choice that belongs to you and those connected to your furry friend.

🤝 Please remember, you have options, and the Helping Hands Pet Hospice team will help you choose what’s best for your family. For more information on handling your beloved pet’s remains, visit our blog 🔗 in bio or contact us today.🌈

06/09/2026

🚩 Doc B’s Top 3 Quality of Life Red Flags 🚩

At the end of their lives, pets often show behaviors indicating severely diminished quality of life (QOL). Sometimes, treatments can help, but other times, these behaviors can indicate that it may be time to consider making end of life plans.

1. Falling down and cognitive decline
2. Disrupted sleep patterns
3. Growling/biting/panic

Swipe right ➡️ for more details on these issues.

If your pet is experiencing any of these issues, please consult your veterinarian immediately. Addressing these problems early gives us the best chance of helping your beloved companion. For support from a certified hospice veterinarian or to plan for saying goodbye, please contact us.

VetCare

06/02/2026

Grief isn’t a sign you’re stuck—it’s a sign that you loved deeply.

People often try to rush through it, thinking it means holding onto the pain. But grief is really just love that has nowhere else to go. That’s why it stays with us.

If you’re feeling it, it’s because the bond was real. And that love still matters. 💚🐾

05/29/2026

One of the most difficult questions pet families face is, “How will I know when it’s time?”

💚 Dr. B created Know When It’s Time: A Guide for Pet Lovers Facing Euthanasia to help answer that question with compassionate, practical guidance. This video resource is designed for families caring for aging, chronically ill, or terminally ill pets who want to better understand quality of life and prepare for the decisions ahead.

You’ll learn how to recognize meaningful changes in your pet, evaluate quality of life, and approach end-of-life decisions with greater confidence and understanding.

If someone you love is walking this path with their pet, please consider sharing this resource with them.

Use coupon code HHPH50 for 50% off.

🔗 Visit knowwhenitstime.com to learn more and watch the guide.

05/26/2026

We wanted to share this video from one of our favorite creators Dr.Beachgem10 because it touches on something so important. Sending love to her patient and to her friend as they navigate such heartbreaking news. 💚

One thing we also see fairly often in veterinary care is that limping can sometimes become “normalized” in pets, especially as they age. But limping is never truly normal and always deserves attention.

Sometimes the cause may be arthritis or another manageable condition. Other times, it can be something more serious, including osteosarcoma (bone cancer). This is why X-rays can be such an important tool. They help us better understand what may be causing pain and can rule out more serious underlying disease.

Our pets are incredibly good at masking discomfort, so subtle changes in mobility matter more than many people realize. If something feels different, trust your instincts and have it investigated. 🐾