Owning a pet comes with both benefits and challenges. Animals provide comfort and companionship to people who live alone. They are workers for people who keep livestock. They support people with medical conditions and are all-around fun to have in the home.
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The hardest part of being an animal companion is parting. Unfortunately, that time eventually comes to almost every pet owner.
Until now, unless you had a special relationship with a veterinarian, you would have to transport your animal to a veterinary hospital or veterinary hospital to say your final goodbyes. No matter how kind and caring the staff is, it can be a cold and lonely feeling to walk out of the clinic alone with your best friend.
Dr. Heather Aubrey, a veterinarian at Sierra Animal Hospital, and Tom Atkeson, a veterinary assistant at the same facility, recognized a need and decided to meet it.
The community we serve
On January 14, 2024, they founded Mountain Shepherd Veterinary Services, a home euthanasia service. We cover the greater Oakhurst and Coarsgold areas, as well as Mariposa, Fish Camp, Yosemite, and the North Fork. If someone outside of these communities requires services, we will consider their requests on a case-by-case basis. MSVS also provides aftercare through West Coast Pet Memorial Services.
When asked why he decided to start this business, Tom said: “Over the past five years, clients have frequently told me that they wish they had the option to euthanize their pets at home because they were scared at the veterinary hospital. Also, the service from Fresno is beyond their price range. I also saw people in the community asking on social media in the mountains if any services were available. After providing services to some clients on a case-by-case basis, Dr. Heather and I decided to start our own business to meet the demand for mobile home euthanasia services to our community at a price point that would allow us to better serve our community. did.”
As the owner and only employee of MSVS, my availability depends on my caseload. However, we do our best to accommodate emergencies to the best of our ability.
Dr. Heather and Noodles
Dr. Heather graduated from Western University of Health Sciences in 2007 as a DVM. Since then, she has worked in emergency medicine, outpatient medicine, and general practice. For the past five years, she has been an associate physician at Sierra Animal Hospital in Oakhurst. A Bay Area native, she grew up in Marin, California.
Dr. Heather and Tom
Tom Atkeson has also worked at Sierra Animal Hospital for the past five years. He started as a kennel technician and worked his way up to veterinary assistant. He often works as a surgical assistant, monitoring anesthesia and assisting during surgeries. Tom grew up in Oakhurst and is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
Mountain Shepherd Veterinary Services does not have specific business hours, but our phone number (559) 580-6217 is always open.
Providing pet services
They service pocket pets, exotic animals, farm animals (dogs and cats), and small farm animals up to 200 pounds such as goats and sheep. Doing so allows the animal to rest in an environment that is familiar to you and your pet, providing the comfort you both need during difficult times.
As for future goals for MSVS, Dr. Heather and Tom have many ideas for how to expand its business, but first and foremost they want to establish themselves as a home euthanasia service.
As mountain residents and veterinarians, they fully understand and empathize with their clients' needs and strive to meet them in the most compassionate way possible.
Photo courtesy of Mountain Shepherd Veterinary Services.
