Melissa Shapiro, DVM

Home
Melissa Shapiro, DVM

Veterinarian, Speaker, Author, Educator
Advocate for disabled rescued pets,
Quality of life, end of life care for pets.

Co-creator of the Piglet Mindset Educational Program which is supported by the nonprofit Piglet International Inc. We teach children to be resilient, inclusive, and kind with free online educational materials that feature my dog Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy. Piglet is a very positive dog who is an amazing growth mindset teaching model for children and adults! Piglet and our 7 other rescued do

gs set an example for being accepting, inclusive, and kind, which is why we call them Piglet's Inclusion Pack. Visit our website PigletMindset.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. My veterinary house call practice offers in home end of life veterinary care for dogs and cats in lower Fairfield County, CT. (FB page- Melissa Shapiro, DVM, website- visitingvetservice.com). I offer in home quality of life consulting, short and long term in home hospice care, and in home euthanasia services for dogs and cats. As animals near the end of their lives we provide families and their pets with comfort, palliative therapy, and if appropriate, euthanasia in their own homes. When possible, meeting with families and patients prior to a euthanasia visit allows for a smooth transition to the final visit. Assessment of older dogs and cats in their home gives a more realistic view of how they are doing and what they need than when they are brought in to an animal hospital. I am available to consult with families when they have questions about quality of life, keeping their pets comfortable and happy for as long as possible, and the timing of euthanasia for their geriatric or ill pets. I am sensitive to the concerns and emotions of the family during this difficult time and will work closely with the regular veterinarian as the need arises. For more information about our practice, visit our website, visitingvetservice.com or e-mail [email protected].

18/06/2026

Would you adopt a dog that is deaf, blind, or both?
Do you feel that you would be able to manage keeping them safe, communicating in a little bit different way, and enjoying the rewards of helping a dog that many would never consider?

If you are a rescuer- do you know how to screen potential adopters for your deaf and blind dogs available for adoption?

Most people don't realize that most dogs eventually lose their hearing and/or sight when they get into their senior years, or even before.

There are lots of differences for sure, but why are we so reluctant to care for young deaf and blind dogs when the majority of them "just" need a little extra to keep them safe?

There are major differences in care for young vs older dogs that are deaf and blind. Keeping any young active dog busy and enriched is much different than taking slow sniffing walks with an older dog you've already bonded with.

Teaching young dogs that are deaf and blind presents some challenges that most people aren't familiar with. But there are so many online and in-person resources that weren't available even 10 years ago. My disabled pets website is a great place to start.

Teaching deaf and blind dogs is A LOT of fun for the dogs and the humans. Connecting and bonding with these dogs is the ultimate for dog moms and dads!

Here are pics of my dogs. The young dogs born deaf and blind or vision impaired outnumber the older dog at this point. But all of the dogs have lost all or some hearing by the time they became seniors. We adjust our approach and address individual needs to keep our dogs engaged, safe, and happy.

The deaf and blind aspects aren't even the top concerns for most of the dogs. Other health and general care are way bigger than our dogs disabilities- being deaf and deaf/blind.

So- I hope this encourages everyone to consider deaf and blind dogs when you're ready to adopt a new dog friend.🩷

Would you like to see specific deaf and blind dog care tips in future posts?

09/06/2026

As a veterinarian, I've witnessed my clients bringing guilt into their end of life process for their dogs and cats. For many, it starts even before their pets have passed.

I know that guilt and blame can be part of the grieving process. I've even been the target of this guilt/blame.

For me, I try so hard to be sure that I feel very comfortable with what I'm doing with my dogs every day, not only at the end of their lives. But I am very much aware of the need to get myself up off the couch even when I'm tired, bc I know that there may not be a walk tomorrow.

And when they all want just one more round of treats, I do it. Subconsciously I don't ever want to feel like I should have given them more.

I think it's really important, at least for me, that I sit with my sadness and deep feeling of loss without bringing in extraneous distractions that are truly not part of the big picture.

Here's a video of my little Evie eating special K when her appetite started to taper off. It was one of those moments where even in the face of decline, we found a way to enjoy a favorite activity, only second to being petted by kids, eating treats!🩷

08/06/2026

Someone asked me what I do with my dogs after they pass. It's certainly an important part of losing a dog that I discuss with my clients when they are facing end of life decisions for their pets.

Here's a basic list of options. There are personal variations on each bc this is a very personal circumstance.

1. Bury dogs at home or other special location.
2. Bury dogs at a pet cemetery.
3. Communal cremation/no ashes returned.
4. Individual cremation with ashes returned.

Many people want to keep hair clippings, ink paw and nose prints, and clay nose and pawprints. There are beautiful urns and jewelry to hold ashes and hair clippings.

Some keep ashes for when they pass so their pets can join them in the end. Some scatter ashes in places they loved to spend time with their dogs.

Some tuck ashes away bc they don't want the constant reminder of their loss. Others keep them out on the fireplace or other memorial in their home.

I have my dogs and birds cremated and I have all of their ashes returned. My dogs and I spend enormous amounts of time walking at the beach. A few years ago I took many of our dogs ashes to a favorite spot and scattered them together. It was emotional but not in a lasting way, thankfully. Once I'm over the initial grief, I can move my feelings towards remembering good times. When I walk at the beach I am happy knowing their ashes are there bc they loved the beach like I do.

Now I have ashes from 4 out of our original 6 dogs. I will wait for hopefully many more years when I will take them all to the beach together for one last beach walk and then scatter their ashes together in my special spot.

What do you do with your dogs and other pets after they pass?

29/05/2026

Why can't I follow my own advice?

I'm a veterinarian. I've always been focused on senior and disabled, and rescued pets. I've helped guide and support my clients and their families through the worst of days with their older and terminally ill pets.

There are certain things we talk about regarding quality of life and pursuing a diagnosis and treatment vs palliative care. Everyone is different but the basic principals are similar for all.

Whatever we decide re diagnostics and treatment plans, in the end, we find ourselves in the same place. When a dog or cat or any other animal reaches the end stages of their disease and life, all we can offer is love, palliation, and dignity.

But each case is different bc each animal brings their own drive and personality to their own unique situation. And this individuality affects us in unexpected ways.

I've lost many dogs and birds, hamsters and other little animals, and even fish. I truly can't predict which ones will hit me the hardest based on our relationships and lives and together- some closer than others.

I did know that losing my little Evie would be a tough one for basic reasons. I spent every waking moment with her and her presence at school visits was huge.

But the circumstances and outcome of her illness are really what's upsetting me the most. I still can't wrap my mind around it. I don't think I ever will, even tho "I did everything possible for her".

The rational side of me is settled. But that other piece- it's going to take some time.

And why does 6 dogs feel like such a small group of dogs now? Like I could add a few more and not feel like it would be too many? Which I'm not going to do!

26/05/2026

So many people say that the hardest decision they ever had to make was choosing humane euthanasia for their terminally ill dog.

I understand completely. But for me, that is not the case. Choosing to give my dogs peaceful relief from the end stages of death is not difficult decision at all. It is the last caring thing I can do for them when there is no hope for recovery.

For me, it is the saddest most heartbreaking decision of all. When our dogs are at the very end of their lives, we have no choice but to accept the inevitable. We manage the situation based on our own emotions, beliefs, and values.

It's the toughest time in living with dogs. It never gets easier and each time the sorrow is deeper than the last.

We keep doing it over and over bc the alternative is not an option. I never wanted a whole big pack of dogs not because I didn't want to deal with losing them. I just like to focus more intensely on each one and having 8 makes that hard. That said, it happened and we had a blast.

We are now paying the price of having an amazing group of young rescued dogs live their lives to the absolute fullest, all together, from start to finish.

No regrets here but the pain of losing them is definitely magnified by the number of dogs.🩷

24/05/2026

An older vet once reminded me:

A dog's will to live is much stronger than their willingness to let go.

They still show up for us even when they don't feel well enough.

We shouldn't confuse their devotion with good quality of life.

22/05/2026

I'm a veterinarian. This is what I tell my clients.

Now I'm just trying to take my own advice.

20/05/2026

One advantage of being a veterinarian is that I can take care of most of my own dog's medical needs, which I do. It's especially handy on weekends when emergencies always happen!

But when serious or terminal illness happens to one of my dogs, I always turn to my veterinarian colleagues for help and advice. This is what I've done all along since my little dog Evie was diagnosed with lymphoma in October.

I have taken her to and consulted with veterinary oncologists, and I also rely heavily on my very good veterinarian friends and vet techs too at the hospital where I work. It's very hard to be objective when dealing with my own beloved dogs.

I'm very lucky to have such an amazing supportive vet med family.❤️❤️❤️

Address

Website

https://www.visitingvetservice.com/vet-school-for-kids

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Melissa Shapiro, DVM posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Melissa Shapiro, DVM:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City: