A Peaceful, Loving Goodbye
Dr. Hickey provides compassionate in-home euthanasia so your beloved companion can pass peacefully — surrounded by family, in the comfort of home.
Questions & Answers
We understand you may have many questions. Browse by topic or search below.
Quality of Life Assessment
The HHHHHMM Scale, developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos, helps you objectively evaluate your pet's comfort. Rate each category 1–10.
This is a guide — not a definitive answer. A total score above 35 (out of 70) generally suggests an acceptable quality of life. A low score in any single category may indicate suffering that warrants a conversation with your veterinarian, even if the total score is higher. Use this tool over time to track changes.
Request In-Home Euthanasia Service
Complete the steps below at your own pace. This form helps Dr. Hickey prepare for your appointment with care and sensitivity.
Your Information
So we can reach you and coordinate your appointment.
About Your Pet
Tell us about your beloved companion so Dr. Hickey can prepare accordingly.
Medical Situation
Help Dr. Hickey understand your pet's current condition. Share as much or as little as you're comfortable with.
Aftercare Preferences
You don't have to decide everything now, but sharing your preferences helps us prepare.
Scheduling & Special Requests
Let us know your preferred timing and any special considerations for the appointment.
Grief Support & Resources
Losing a companion is one of life's most profound losses. You are not alone — these resources are here to help.
📞 Pet Loss Hotlines
Cornell University Pet Loss Support: (607) 218-7457 — Mon–Fri 6–9pm, Sat–Sun 12–9pm EST
Tufts University Pet Loss Support: (508) 839-7966 — Mon–Thu 6–9pm EST
ASPCA Pet Loss Support: (800) 946-4646 ext. 140-7211 — 24hr voicemail
Companion Animal Association of Arizona — Local grief support and resources
🤝 Support Groups
Lap of Love Virtual Groups: Free Zoom pet loss support groups, including sessions for anticipatory grief, behavioral euthanasia, and unexpected loss.
Human Animal Bond Trust (CSU Argus Institute): Free weekly Zoom gatherings, Thursdays 6:30–8pm MT.
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement: Online chat rooms, video support groups, and memorial creation.
👧 Helping Children Grieve
Children grieve differently based on age and development. Be honest — avoid euphemisms like "put to sleep." Let children ask questions, express emotions, and participate in memorials.
Books: "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney" by Judith Viorst, "Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant, "Goodbye, Friend" by Gary Kowalski.
Consider letting children draw pictures, write letters, or plant a memorial garden.
🐕 When Your Other Pets Grieve
Surviving pets may search for their companion, show decreased appetite, lethargy, or anxiety. Allow other pets to see and sniff their companion after passing — this can provide closure and reduce anxious searching behavior.
Maintain routines, offer extra attention, and watch for prolonged behavioral changes that may need veterinary attention.
📖 Recommended Reading
"The Loss of a Pet" — Wallace Sife, Ph.D. A comprehensive guide to grieving.
"Saying Goodbye to the Pet You Love" — Lorri A. Greene, Ph.D. Practical strategies for working through grief.
"Goodbye, Friend" — Gary Kowalski. Rituals, ceremonies, and spiritual guidance.
"It's Okay to Cry" — Maria Luz Quintana et al. Compassionate real stories of hope and healing.
💚 Self-Care Reminders
Your grief is valid. Pets are family, and losing them deserves the same space and compassion as any significant loss.
Give yourself permission to grieve without a timeline. Crying, anger, guilt, and relief can all coexist — none of them are wrong. Take care of your physical health: sleep, eat, hydrate, move.
If grief feels overwhelming, a therapist who specializes in pet loss can provide meaningful support.
Arizona Aftercare Services Directory
Trusted cremation providers, aquamation services, and pet cemeteries across Arizona — compiled to help you make informed decisions during a difficult time.
🔥 Cremation Services — Phoenix Metro
💧 Aquamation (Water-Based Cremation)
🏜️ Outside Phoenix Metro
🌿 Pet Cemeteries & Memorial Parks
📋 Important Arizona Notes
Home burial: In most of Arizona, it is against the law to bury a pet in your yard. Regulations vary by city — always check with your local government before making a decision. In Maricopa County, cremation is generally required.
Cremation types: Private = your pet is the only one in the entire crematory; Individual = your pet is separated by partitions from others; Communal = multiple pets cremated together, ashes not returned.
Dr. Hickey can help coordinate aftercare services as part of your in-home visit. Call (480) 560-0355 to discuss options.
🌈 Memorial Tribute Builder
Create a beautiful digital memorial to honor your beloved companion's life and the joy they brought to your family.
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Click to upload a favorite photo
JPG, PNG — your photo stays in your browser only
✅ Preparedness Checklist
A gentle, step-by-step guide to help you prepare. Check items off at your own pace — there's no right or wrong way to do this.
📖 Pet Life Memory Journal
Record your pet's milestones, adventures, and cherished moments. Build a beautiful timeline of the life you shared together.
✨ Add a Memory
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Your memory journal is empty.
Add your first memory above to start building your pet's life timeline.
About Dr. Hickey
Dr. Hickey with Marley, his 9-month-old Australian Shepherd
Dr. Hickey provides a compassionate, discreet option for families facing one of the hardest decisions a pet owner can make. As a licensed Arizona veterinarian, he brings calm guidance, sensitivity, and deep understanding to every visit — helping pets pass peacefully in the comfort of home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, and the people who love them most.
Each appointment is handled with quiet professionalism, respect, and care for your privacy, so you can focus on saying goodbye with dignity and tenderness.
Dr. Hickey graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed his clinical year at Oklahoma State University. He has been involved in veterinary medicine since the age of 16, with special interests in consultation, oncology, general surgery, and orthopedics.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Hickey enjoys staying active with golf, pickleball, snowboarding, and time at the lake. At home, he shares life with Marley, a 9-month-old Australian Shepherd who loves swimming, long walks, fetch, and all dog treats.
Dr. Hickey is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every pet and family he serves, bringing expertise and enthusiasm to each patient visit.