Pet loss awareness walk at Stormont with vet who brought 'home euthanasia' to Northern Ireland

A vet who set up Northern Ireland’s first pet home euthanasia service, is holding a memorial fundraiser on June 22 to support abandoned, abused and neglected animals and raise awareness of the impact of pet loss.

Demand for the end of life service has been so high, that Stephanie Cousins, founder of HomeVet NI, has employed six more vets to take on the sensitive role so many owners prefer.

Mum of two, Stephanie, 33, said: “We are holding a Pet Memorial Walk in Stormont Estate on Saturday, June 22 at 1.30pm to raise funds for The Barn Animal Rescue in Newtownards.

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Stephanie added: “This walk is important to me personally, as I understand how lonely and debilitating pet loss can be.

“We don’t get compassionate leave for losing a pet, however many of us spend more time with a pet than a human loved one.

“It is hard to understand unless you have been through the loss of a special pet yourself. Unfortunately I have been through this three times now with my Lola, Pip and most recently Dodi. I lost Dodi on New Years Eve 2023 and every day since has been a struggle.

“He was with me since I was in university and is the reason I got through homesickness and became a vet.

“He was with me on my wedding day and when I brought my two kids home from the hospital. He was with me for 13 amazing years and I miss him more than words can say.”

Stephanie had the idea for the memorial in a bid to bring together people who understand how difficult the loss of a beloved pet is, and she is expecting many of her clients from all over Northern Ireland to come along.

She said: “People who have loved and lost their pets are from a very diverse group, from across the whole country, from all ages and backgrounds, all types of pets, some who have lived long and happy lives, others who have been rescued and maybe not had the longevity they might have had under other circumstances.

"But one thing binds us all, our love for our family members, our animal family members and the impact of their loss.

“We all know how hard it is to go back to ‘normal’ life when nothing feels the same, how it feels to try to explain to people who just don’t understand and cannot appreciate who and what we've lost.

“So I hope our walk on Saturday will also help raise awareness for people struggling with pet loss and that we can come together and celebrate the lives of the pets who have left us but will never be forgotten."

Stephanie added: "We are doing this for a good cause too. To raise much needed funds for The Barn Animal Rescue in Newtownards. This money will go towards helping the animals in their care.

“We will be holding a raffle on the day with many amazing prizes. There will be a coffee van providing coffee, ice creams and puppuccinos. Bring a photo of your pet to pin on our memorial boards. Dogs on leads and children are welcome. There is no fee to come along and join in the two mile walk around the beautiful grounds at Stormont Estate.

“We would love to see as many people there as we can to raise money and create awareness and every penny raised will go towards The Barn Animal Rescue Newtownards."

Raffle treasures include:

• ️A full photoshoot from @Jonathan Sterritt Pet Photography

• ️An overnight stay bed and breakfast at the Malmaison Hotel in Belfast where you can bring your dog along.

• A £100 M&S voucher from Millwood Pet Cremation Services

• A 6kg bag of Orijen dog food from @cornerstonevetsbelfast

• A clinical hydrotherapy session at Vet Rehab NI

• A drinks hamper from ourselves at Home Vet NI

• A personalised hand stamped teaspoon from TwoSpoons

• A check up with @the_vet_nurse_pet_clinic including ears, nails and glands

• A physio assessment and treatment for 2 dogs The Animal Physio

• A treat and toys bundle from @Cedarmount Vets

• One hypnotherapy session or two sessions of pet bereavement counselling with @kmhypnotherapy

• A beautiful hamper for your dog put together by Karen Hamilton

• A past life and galactic regression session by Ashley Teer Intuitive Medium and clinical hypnotherapist

• 100g of Bug Defence from Barnaby's Happy Healthy Pets

• A gin hamper from a lovely follower

• A personalised pet blanket from Stitch Studio

• Handmade sterling silver bracelet with paw print and heart charms from The Silversmith

• A pair of Ray-ban sunglasses from Mackey Opticians in Holywood

• A 10kg bag of Hills dog food from @Forestside Veterinary Clinic

• A 15kg bag of CSJ from Glen-Craig Canine Training

• A large bag of Royal Canin from Veterinary Surgeons Supply Co Ltd

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