Beside Still Water

Three phone calls and the person who answers the phone still won’t tell me how much they charge for in-​home euthenasia or even give me a range, and she was extrememly judgmental when I asked. Not at all the attitude I expected.

My 13.8 year old Golden Retriever is having problems walking. I called Beside Still Waters over 26 hours ago. No call back as of yet. I would think a quick response for euthinaisa is not only appropriate by the kind thing to do.

I have highly recommended Dr. Ann to many friends, after she helped our wonderful lab cross over the rainbow bridge years ago. She helped create the most beautiful last moments for our dog and for us. For those who are hesitant to put their animal to sleep at home, don’t be. Dr. Ann guides everyone, including other pets, through the experience with grace, calmness, support and love. I feel so fortunate to have found someone that provided such a wonderful, peaceful passing for our dog who had loved us so unconditionally throughout her life. I can’t praise Beside Still Water enough. Dr. Ann has a true gift, and I urge anyone facing euthanizing their beloved pet to call her.

I am so glad we found Dr. Ann when we needed her. Our dog Wesley was in the late stages of cancer and we wanted him to pass away at home. Dr. Ann was so warm, reassuring and compassionate. She was totally prepared, explained every step of the process and gave us time to say goodbye without dragging out the process too long. We were worried at-​home euthanasia might force us into some sort of awkward farewell ceremony, but we felt totally comfortable with her approach, which felt tailored to our needs.
I was particularly impressed by how she worked with our other dog Izzy — a very apprehensive and fearful rescue — to make her feel comfortable as well. Dr. Ann knew how to lower her eyes, toss treats and be totally non-​threatening so Izzy could relax and be in the room as we said goodbye. I expected Izzy would just hide in the yard but I’m glad we could all be together for Wesley’s final minutes.
I only wish Dr. Ann could have come sooner, but understand that Mondays are very busy days for her. I would not hesitate to call her again when I need her services (though I hope it is a long time until then). I am very grateful for her help through such a difficult day.

Dr Ann is compassionate and supportive. She has helped us with two beloved cats who were ill and needed to go to heaven so they weren’t in pain any more and both times she was wonderful (Jan 2006 and Sept 2012). She makes the difficult decision much better because she comes to your home where your pet is comfortable rather then the scary vet’s office. It costs more but is worth it.

Dr. Ann Brandenburg-​Schroeder is the Patron Saint of Dying Pets.
I’ve worked with her twice now, and I cannot possibly say enough amazing things about her. This is not hyperbole — this woman is truly remarkable. She will come to your home with pure love and compassion for your pet, treating your beloved furry friend as she would one of her own, and she will help them pass on peacefully and gracefully in the comfort of their own surroundings, with you at their side. She’ll also make YOU feel so much better about the difficult decision you’ve had to make. She will take the time to answer all of your questions, and put your mind and heart at ease. She won’t rush you, and she’ll even make sure that if there are other pets in the house, that they get some time with their fallen compadre as well, both before and after. Her thoughtfulness and tender loving care is evident in all of the little extra things that she does and provides during the process that you’d never even expect her to do. She’s out of this world, trust me.
Please, if you are facing the euthanasia of your pet, call Dr. Brandenburg-​Schroeder. It will be the best gift you could possibly give your dying friend, and it will make the process a WHOLE lot easier for you as well.

Dr. Ann will always hold a special place in my heart. Without her compassion and guidance through putting my 23 year old cat to sleep I don’t think I would have survived. Dr. Ann has an empathy and immediate connection to your animal and they never feel afraid. Everything about the process was handled with the most tender care. During every step of the way she talked to us and to our cat about what was happening and soothed our fears. I felt as if she treated my cat the same as if he was her own and helped him transition on to his next life in the most peaceful way that we could have hoped. I will always be grateful for the spiritual council that she provides to the grieving and distressed.

I’ve never before cried while writing a review. But I can’t stop it while writing about the wonderful Dr Ann Brandenburg-​Schroeder and her at-​home pet euthanasia service-​Beside Still Water. Our almost 19 year old doggie, Buddy, who was the best dog that ever lived, finally got to a place where life was overwhelming for him. We had heard about Dr. Ann from friends, who couldn’t have been more impressed with her. This wasn’t the first time we had called her. She reminded us that we’d called literally 2 years before then. Having thought that our dog was terminally ill at the time, but having been happily proven wrong, we had cancelled her visit. This time, however, we were sadly right.
Dr. Ann came at the pre-​arranged time, and spent a long time with Buddy and with us, answering all our questions and confirming we were making the right decision. What is so good about Ann is her peaceful and caring spirit that Buddy so quickly acknowledged, making his way over to her and nuzzling her as soon as they met. She helped us understand that sometimes animals love us so much that they hold on to be with us to make us happy. As soon as she gave Buddy the first of the staged pain-​killing injections, and we saw how he became so completely relaxed for the first time in such a long time, we found ourselves also able to relax and be with him totally while he left us.
Over the years I have had the occasion to take old or injured family pets in for euthanasia. But now that I understand what a much better experience it is for everyone involved to have your pet die at home, I will never do it another way. Animals give us so much love and pleasure, we owe them the added kindness of having their death occur in an area where they feel safe and at ease, and not in a vet’s office. There is no better person than Dr. Ann to help you through that terribly sad time.

We’ve called upon Beside Still Water 4 times and I’m always so glad I did. Our pets are comfortable and in their home as they move on. It means so much to me that their last moments are filled with family and love.

When it’s time to go… you’ll have NO idea what compassion is until you need to pet your pet to sleep and you have the opportunity to work with Dr. Ann Brandenburg-​Schroeder. When you call she listens and answers your questions – gives you resonant, clear advice on how to know when it’s the right time, how to prepare yourself and your family. When you decide it’s time, she comes to your house, makes the whole experience really meaningful – for you and your pet. She doesn’t rush you (or them), she’s kind and warm and gentle (and this was at 3 A.M.!). She makes a pawprint in cement and leaves that with you – treats your loved one with such respect, it’s remarkable. I didn’t realize how much I needed this until after we did it and I realized how lucky I was to have found it. Hoping it can save some of you the search.