Keeping People and Their Pets Together with Dr Alicia Kennedy

We talk a lot on this show about preparing for our own death. But what about preparing for the death of a pet, or making sure our pet is looked after if something happens to us? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Alicia Kennedy, an end-of-life veterinarian of over 40 years and the founder of Cherished Pets, a veterinary social enterprise and B Corp based in the Geelong region of Victoria. Alicia pioneered the field of veterinary social work in Australia, building a multidisciplinary HAB (Human Animal Bond) Care Team of vets, vet nurses, social workers and volunteers who support older people, people living with disability, and people experiencing mental illness, homelessness or family violence to stay together with their pets through life's hardest moments. Alicia shares the personal story behind Cherished Pets, the three guiding principles she uses to decide when it's time to say goodbye, what actually makes for "a good death" for a pet, and why she believes every health care plan, from GPs to aged care, should ask the question: "Do you have a pet?" We also talk about the growing world of home euthanasia, memorialisation and cremation options, how to support children and other pets through pet loss, and why planning ahead for vet bills and end-of-life care can save families from financial and emotional crisis. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Connect with Dr Alicia Kennedy & Cherished Pets Website: cherishedpetcare.com.au Instagram / social media: @asocialheartedvet Alicia's 2025 Churchill Fellowship report, exploring the human-animal bond internationally, will be published in late August/September 2026, with more reflections to follow on her Substack. People and Their Pets (Pets and People) – a directory of pet bereavement counsellors https://petsandpeople.com.au/ Sunset Vets – whose support program offers referral-based, one-on-one bereavement counselling https://sunsetvets.com.au/services/co... Rest Your Paws is Australia’s leading at home palliative care and euthanasia service for elderly and terminally-ill pets. https://restyourpaws.com.au/ Connect with Critical Info Make Death Admin Easy with The Critical Info Platform A simple system to sort your personal paperwork for when your information becomes critical. Sign up here: https://app.criticalinfo.com.au/?redi... My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now? Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Purchase it here. https://criticalinfo.com.au/our-guide/ Support Services If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. https://criticalinfo.com.au/resources/