I can't say enough good things about Compassionate Veterinary Hospice and the care they gave our dog Zooey. Over the last six months, their team came to our home for regular hospice visits to help manage Zooey's pain and chronic conditions while guiding us through quality-of-life decisions. That ongoing support made such a difference. And when it was time to say goodbye, Zooey's passing was gentle, calm, and free of pain and anxiety. Dr. Shanan helped us say goodbye to another beloved dog in 2021, and since then I've known that if we ever faced this situation again, this is the kind of care I would want for our pets. The entire staff was wonderful. I called countless times for medication refills and schedule changes, and every single interaction was met with patience and kindness. And a very special thank you to our nurse, Irene, who spent many hours helping us navigate the rollercoaster of Zooey's conditions. Her knowledge, patience, and compassion meant so much to us. She has a sense of humor and a wonderfully matter-of-fact way of explaining difficult things that made overwhelming conversations feel manageable. I wish more people knew that hospice care like this can start earlier than you might think. CVH gave us advice and tools to help make end-of-life decisions, without any pressure one way or the other. So if your dog has a terminal illness or is nearing the end of their life, don't be afraid to start -- it doesn't mean you're giving up or are ready to say goodbye. It simply means you're ready to focus on managing symptoms and making the days you have left as comfortable as possible, rather than diagnosing causes or looking for cures. Highly recommend. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - B (2009-2021) and Z (2010-2026), patients of CVH - Veterinarians Near Me

Second Update: You didn't review your records. You immediately told me that you had reached out with emails and calls despite that being a complete fabrication of the truth and then tried to sell me another in person visit that would cost me another $300. You never called or emailed except for billing issues because apparently all you care about is money. If your "best practice" is for a doctor to see patients every 6 months then you should have followed up with us to schedule the Telehealth appointment that is INCLUDED in your fee. I have filed a complaint with the BBB and am taking you and Dr. Shanan to small claims court over this because of a breach of contract. Expect to be served shortly. You should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves. Update: They are screening my calls and even though I call during business hours they never answer or return my phone calls. So much for caring about dying animals. I have filed a report with the Better Business Bureau and also written Dr. Shanan directly on Instagram because I know this does not reflect the spirit of his business/values or Dr. Bartel's but of some bitter/retaliarity secretary that clearly did not do her job and is just covering her butt This is my second time working with Compassionate Veterinary Hospice and it has been the complete opposite experience as my first time working with Dr. Shanan. First of all, the price has increased drastically, which...fine, so have all vet prices. This June we scheduled an appointment and Dr. Bartel came to come to my house for an in home visit with my dog Holly for approximately $600. You pay a deposit upon making the appointment and they bill you the rest after the appointment. Dr. Bartel was great. I have zero issues with the appointment and the services that we were supposed to be offered after the visit have improved (phone call with the nurse, access to purchasing certain meds in case of an emergency with our pet, etc.). What happened next is what I take issue with. I flew to Mexico where my purse was stolen (including my credit cards/phone/etc) so CVH was not able to successfully charge me for the rest of the bill. When I finally got my phone back and was able to return to the US bc my passport was also stolen (two weeks after I returned from my trip), I had several phone calls and emails from them about the missing balance. I called CVH and updated the billing to pay for the bill. After I paid my balance there was absolute radio silence. I never got any follow up emails or phone calls from them about scheduling a follow up call with the nurse or anything of the sort that Dr. Bartel said we would receive. Shame on me for not following up sooner. Fast forward a couple of months later. My dog's condition has progressed and I'm looking for some more guidance and hoping to get some medicine to help her manage pain. I call CVH and speak to someone on the phone and tell them the situation: that we never got had a follow up appointment with the nurse. They tell me that they HAVE emailed me about the nurse multiple times (completely false) and recommend that instead I schedule another in person appointment which the person on the phone conveniently doesn't tell me (until I ask) would cost another couple hundred dollars. Are you kidding me? This sounds like all they care about is milking me for more money and not the well being of my pet. I got frustrated on the phone with this person and told her that they need to go back and look at their records because they most certainly did not follow up with me. When I called back, they conveniently did not pick up the phone and they have not called back or returned my messages. Complete waste of money. This is like night and day. My experience with CVH almost ten years ago when my cat was on hospice was phenomenal and as such I had recommended Dr. Shanan to dozens of people whose pets were facing the end of their lives..NEVER AGAIN. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - Veterinarians Near Me

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Yesterday was the worst day of my life, but Dr. Bartell made the process of putting my 22-year-old best friend to sleep as peaceful as possible. My best friend, Pumpkin, got diagnosed with multiple forms of cancer in her intestines and stomach. It only took a few days for her decline to become abundantly clear, and as soon as I knew the sweet kitty that was at my side was no longer truly "my girl", I reached out to Compassionate Veterinary Hospice for guidance because I had zero ability to remain objective in this situation. Tracy was able to coordinate an in-home consultation for us for the next day. Dr. Bartell showed up at the house and exuded a very kind & compassionate aura. She sat with me and Pumpkin on the bed and thoroughly walked me through Pumpkin's diagnosis from our vet, what it meant, and what her professional opinion was in terms of treatment and/or outcomes. Dr. Bartell was not only there for me and my feelings, but she was a full advocate for Pumpkin from a physical, spiritual, and emotional perspective. Once we (aka me- Dr. Bartell was beyond professional and did not inflict her opinion on what I should do, but instead, supported me in my intuition) decided that the most loving thing to do was put Pumpkin to sleep, Dr. Bartell talked me through what the whole process would entail, what each medicine did and what Pumpkin's experience would be throughout the process. Suffice it to say, after Pumpkin was no longer earthside, I was devastated. Dr. Bartell gave me a basket to transport Pumpkin, and we brought her down to the car. I didn't even think to have expectations about the transport process, but I was so relieved and pleased to see the environment in which Pumpkin was being transported. She was tucked in a basket with a fluffy blanket, in a clean and cozy car with fake plants and candles to make it a peaceful environment. Dr. Bartell gave me time to say goodbye and when it was time for them to leave, Dr. Bartell closed the trunk and had her hand on her heart in a fully present and honoring way. There was not one moment where I felt rushed, judged, "over the top" or an inconvenience to Dr. Bartell. I'm going to have to wrap this up because I am in hysterics, but Dr. Bartell, genuinely thank you for being there for my fuzzy bestie & me. It's a unique experience to consider that you will be a key character in my life forever- despite being a stranger. Thank you so much for your support, professionalism, kindness, and empathy during Pumpkin's transition & the worst moment of my life. I can't wait to get Pumpkin's ashes, clay paw print and ink nose print back so I can honor my sweet little girl. read more

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Dr. Shanan is wonderful. He is very caring of both our pet and us. We have brought him into our home for euthanizing three very sick elderly cats over the past 15 years, and we will continue to do so. (We currently have 5 elderly cats, each with their own health issues.) read more

No one wants to leave this review. But if you are reading this because you are looking for help with your pet, This is the place. I was beyond impressed with Dr Brooke. I can't really put into words how she made this so easy for us to say goodbye to our dog in such a peaceful way. It was very peaceful and it's like she almost was not there. Had to leave the review because I was browsing them trying to find the right place. read more

I was very lucky to find this excellent service and to arrange an appointment for the next day. The veterinarian and staff and very kind and thoughtful. It was a sad day, but I have no doubt that my cat's euthanasia was the right thing to do. Having it at her home seems so much kinder (and easier) than trying to take her to an office. I can recommend it very highly. read more

Yesterday was the worst day of grief and loss that I or my husband Ron have ever experienced and losing Roxie was terrible - she was our . Thank God we found Compassionate Veterinary Hospice and Dr. Shanan who helped to make Roxie's transition as peaceful and comfortable as possible right in our own living room where we could lay beside her and hold her and talk to her until the end. Thank you so much for kindness, gentleness and words of comfort Dr. Shanan! read more

If there were more than five stars to leave for this review, I'd check them all and set them in a constellation shaped like a heart. Compassionate Veterinary Hospice helped my husband and me to get through the illness and death of our 18 year old cat, Leo. He'd been in their care for just over a year and he would not have had the quality of life and well-being that he had if not for the care and tending of Dr. Shannan, Dr. Brooke, all the vet techs who looked after him -- especially Irene and Rebecca. As well as Leo, I feel that my husband and I were taken care of too. The love and respect that the staff showed for Leo included us as pet parents and we will be forever grateful for their empathy and love. On a last note, Leo's litter mate, Gracie also received great love and attention, and my husband and I were given great advice about how to take care of her after losing her brother. We are so fortunate to have been in the care of Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. They are the best. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - Leo, the "goodest" cat in the universe! - Veterinarians Near Me

Our beloved cat got seriously ill very quickly over the Christmas holiday time and after bringing her home from the emergency vet, she let us know it was time to go. I spoke with Lisa and she worked with me to arrange a home visit by Dr. Brooke Bartell. The online consultation with Dr. Bartell was reassuring and helped me to prepare. Although I had another cat euthanized in a vet office, it was clear from the conversation it was going to be a different experience at home. I understand some people might find the pre-visit consultation unnecessary, but I appreciated the time to meet Dr. Bartell before she showed up at my door and her explanation of how the visit was going to progress only at the pace set by our cat and the time we needed to say our goodbyes. Once Dr. Bartell crossed the threshold to our house, it was apparent her focus was on our cat and assessing the cat's needs. At every stage Dr. Bartell explained what she was going to do before doing it, all the while offering love and kindness to our cat as well as us. We did not feel rushed at all and our cat was made as comfortable as she could be. The word 'compassionate' could not be more fitting. I should also mention the pre-visit registration process offers a variety of services for taking care of your pet after death, from leaving the animal for you to take care of, to cremation without the ashes being returned, or private cremation where you get the ashes back. At this writing I don't have the ashes back, but I trust they will arrive in a reasonable amount of time and in an appropriate container. Obviously, I don't want to think about having to do pet euthanasia again, but if I have a choice, this in-home service is absolutely what I will do. Thank you for the love, care and respect you paid to our Hester and to us, Dr. Bartell. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - Veterinarians Near Me

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. My cat Heidi was declining from suspected cancer and I arranged an initial care appointment with CVH. Before the appointment could occur, Heidi stopped eating. I knew it was time to let her go. I rearranged my appointment to a home euthanasia for the same day. Every step of the way, Heidi and I were treated with compassion and care. The receptionist/office person (Lisa?) was efficient and compassionate. There was a short Zoom discussion with the vet prior to the in person visit to go over the reasons for the decision, and to discuss what would happen in the euthanasia visit. Everything was clear, and Dr. Bartell prepared me for what would happen and what to expect. Dr. Bartell was so empathetic to me and so sweet to Heidi. She let me take as long as I needed to say goodbye, and told me what she would do and what to expect every step of the way. She even confirmed that Heidi had a growth in her torso, which helped give me peace that I was doing the right thing. When the euthanasia was finished, she tucked Heidi into a basket and let me tuck an item into the basket with her, which she said would stay with her. Being able to say goodbye to my treasured companion in a place where we both felt safe and comfortable was such a gift. The work that CVH does for pets and pet owners is invaluable. read more

It is so hard to leave a review like this. Obviously I, and I'm sure you if you are reading this review, never want to use a service like this. But, if the need does arise, I have to highly recommend Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. Dr Amir Shanan was all you could hope for to send your baby over the Rainbow Bridge. Both competent and compassionate, he did his best to make this difficult time a little bit easier. I couldn't recommend this service any higher read more

Every single interaction was perfection. Every phone call, email and of course the vet that came to our home was wonderful. They were an integral part of our healing which was not expected....highly recommend. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - Tootsie Roll - Veterinarians Near Me

I am immensely appreciate to everyone at Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. Both Dr. Bartell and Dr. Shanan are incredibly kind, respectful, and knowledgable in making one the toughest decisions a pet owner ever has to face. We have used (and our currently using) their services for both of our cats. Dr. Bartell provided one of our cats an incredibly respectful and peaceful in home euthanasia. We are using their hospice and pain management services currently for our other cat who has advanced cancer, and both Dr. Bartell and Dr. Shanan have been incredibly available and willing to provide so much time and support in making the tough decision on when it will be time for in home euthanasia. Our nurse, Kim, has provided wonderful communication and so much knowledge and continues to help us in this ongoing decision of pain management. Rebecca and Tracy have supported us on the admin side in setting up the appts and I am so incredibly grateful for their ongoing resources and immense compassion expressed through phone calls and emails. Thank you thank you thank you Compassionate Veterinary Hospice for offering a safe place to be supported (both humans and animals) in the toughest moment of life. read more

No one ever wants to review a place like this. I didn't think I'd have to be doing something like this for a while still. Compassionate Veterinary Hospice lives up to their name in so many ways. I lost my precious baby Gus last week. A chronic illness finally caught up and I needed to give him a gentle way out. He was so strong, and too stubborn, to go out on his own. Under a strong recommendation, I reached out to CVH to give my fluffy boy a relief from his pain. Right from the beginning, the phone call to set up the appointment was so so sooooo nice and the staff were so incredibly kind and comforting in their words. Dr. Joshi was amazing on that day and was so soft and gentle with my sweet kitty. She gave him the most peaceful ending and provided us with so much support. Picking up his ashes today once again caused the waterworks and I just broke down. Rebecca gave me one of the best hugs I've ever had and just comforted me as a wept. I needed that so badly and it was perfect. This whole situation just sucked. Gus was the best cat in the world. I still can't believe he's gone. My heart will continue to hurt for a long time. But Compassion Veterinary Hospice made this crappy situation as good as it possibly could have been. They took care of everything with the type of loving kindness that you would expect from a close friend, but they somehow manage to provide to all of their patients. I can't recommend them enough. Thank you so much. I hope to never see you all again (ha), but if I haven't make that decision again, I know who I will call. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - My baby on our last day together. Thank you CVH for making it as painless as possible - Veterinarians Near Me

I never thought I'd be consulting Dr. Shanan again so soon, but weeks after Riley died my vet gave my other cat, Frank, a grim prognosis. Frank was good at hiding his symptoms and quite the copy cat, so a little weight loss and increased water consumption escaped my attention. Like the last time, I reached out to Dr. Shanan and gave him an idea of what was going on with Frank, so when the time came there would be less explaining. I'm knocking this review down a star because of follow up. Frank developed an abscessed tooth and antibiotics weren't controlling it any more. It was Sunday and he had an appointment at the vet the following morning to remove it. That morning he exhibited signs of pain, refusing to eat or do much of anything other than lift his little head now and again. Not knowing what to do, I called Dr. Shanan for advice and left a message. The message says he's available 24/7 and offers an alternate emergency number. Last time, he called me before I could finish dialing the emergency number. I left my message and waited. After hearing nothing for two hours, I called my friend, a vet tech, for advice. She was able to help me comfort Frank and get him eating. I expected to hear from Dr. Shanan later that day; I assumed he was tied up with other patients and gave him the benefit of the doubt. After nothing for days, I reached out via email and expressed my extreme disappointment. Dr. Shanan returned my email today, noting had been out of town without access to email or voicemail. I get it, everyone needs time off, but when your business is hospice care, you absolutely need vacation messages on all of your contact methods or a backup plan for coverage. I struggled with whether a one star reduction was enough; watching an animal in pain is heartbreaking and makes you feel helpless. I settled on four stars because he was so good with Riley and responsive every other time I reached out. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - Frank - Veterinarians Near Me

First of all I'm so sorry if you're reading this and you have a pet who may need euthanasia. I just went through it this morning and it's gutting. Dr. Shanan helped me end the life of my cat Bobalu 2 years ago. Today my other cat Waffle was ready to go. I knew for sure that Waffle was in the death process but I was having a really hard time deciding whether I should let him complete that process on his own. Dr. Shanan's responsiveness and availability for phone and video consultations is incredibly helpful and comforting. He never told me what I should do and instead offered options and his seasoned perspective on what my cats were going through. He is gentle and empathetic. There was a moment today where I fully expressed the pain, it came out big, and his response was so affirming. It's hard to describe and impossible to fake; I wish everyone knew how to respond to pain and sadness with such presence. Thank you Dr. Shanan, for helping my loved ones die well. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - Bob-o & Waffle, both helped by Dr. Shanan. - Veterinarians Near Me

Unfortunately I cannot review this business as they refuse to schedule an appointment to euthanize my cat at my home, without first having a completely useless consultation regarding end of life care. I've had consultations with 2 internists and 2 oncologists, and all agree that the only humane option is euthanasia. The notion that an hour long, $195 Zoom consultation is going to provide useful information is absurd, and only serves to prolong an already difficult process, and put money in that vet's pocket. Shame on you. To be clear, I have ZERO issue spending whatever it takes to care for my pets. read more

The most difficult part of being a pet parent is having to make that heartbreaking decision that it's time to say goodbye. My boy, Benny, was my love and I'd do anything to ensure the absolute best for him and that his final moments were filled with the utmost comfort and care. We had Benny's last moments at home, surrounded by his people and comfy in his own surroundings. Compassionate Veterinary Hospice, and the kind and gentle Dr. Shanan, made this difficult day one that I will always remember with a sense of peace. Thank you Dr. Shanan, Jodi and Tereasa for your kindness and compassion during this difficult time. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - Veterinarians Near Me

I was given a recommendation for Compassionate by a good friend. My 8 year old cat Troopie was diagnosed with advanced Cancer and declined quickly. He was never thrilled with vet visits so I didn't want to stress him further when it was his time to make his final journey. I contacted Compassion and from my very first conversation with Lisa I knew this was the right place. They were so incredibly kind and understanding. Helping your beloved pet make his final journey is gut wrenching but every step was carefully walked through. It was as good of a process as it could be. My cat was in my home surrounded by everyone that loved him. Thankful he wasn't stressed in a vet's office as he took his final breath. Thank you to Lisa, Rebecca and Dr. Barrel. You all made a horrible day much better than it could have been. read more

Dr Amir Shanan is as good as it gets. He has the Compassion you need in a time that is so hard. I don't know how we would have gotten through the difficult time if it had not been for Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. His office staff Irene was equally kind and Compassionate. I will never be able to thank them enough. read more

To share a quote from another, if you are reading this, my heart is heavy for you. Dr. Shanan and Rebecca were great solace to my husband, friend Carole and me when we had to quickly do the unthinkable to spare our beloved Border Collie Arthur from pain. Having Arthur at home in the arms of those who loved him was a blessing. Arthur was handled with such respect and grace. I appreciated the advanced consultation, which I now see was for my benefit to determine if I was ready. Bless this service. read more

READ THIS PART IF YOU ARE DOING ANY IN-HOME EUTHANASIA: Based on what they have on their websites, it looks like ALL of the Chicago in-home vets only offer 2 options for "aftercare". All or nothing. Either you don't get your pets ashes back at all or you get a full package with all the bells and whistles, nothing in between. If you want your pets ashes but can't afford the VIP treatment, you may want to do what I did and contact one of the crematoriums directly to make your own arrangements. I used Family Pet Crematorium but I think the others also have a mid-range option. Basically the difference is the VIP package comes with "private" cremation, so only your pet is cremated. That's why it's so expensive. They throw in nice accessories too, but that's really what you're paying for. The middle option has multiple pets cremated at the same time, but they are partitioned off to avoid cross-contamination. This way you get their ashes back but you aren't paying so much extra to have do it separately. Not sure why this option isn't being offered through the vets, but there you go. In my review of the crematorium I'll talk about why it ended up being a better option for me even beyond the cost savings. OK, now on to more specifics of Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. I've had to go through this with 4 pets now. 2 of the other 3 were in-home, but in Florida, so this was my first experience with this in Chicago. But this cat was the one I'm the most bonded with of all the pets so it was going to be hardest no matter what. Dr Shanan was very kind to both me and Spike. I saw a review saying they thought it was over the top how sad he looked when they opened the door, and I guess I kind of get what they mean except I was a complete mess so he may have been just been mirroring me. Spike didn't like the sedative shot going in, but before and after she was fine with him. I saw another review that claimed he took a call. His phone did ring while we were in the middle of things so here's what happened: She was in the bedroom. He left his kit with all the syringes in the living room, I think so she (and probably I) wouldn't see it. So his phone range while he was doing the sedative shot, I think the second one. So he said he'd go in the other room to give her a minute. I assume he texted back to the caller while he was in there, I don't know. But it was good to have the time alone with her after each shot anyhow so it didn't bother me. When I go back and look at pictures of her even a month ago it's obvious how much she's deteriorated and that she was suffering and it was time to go, but for whatever reason it took her longer than the other pets I've had. 2 sedative shots and 2 of the other shots. It made me nervous that I did it too early and she wasn't ready, and he was very good about reassuring me that she looked ready when he came in, that there was no question in his mind upon meeting her. So that helped a lot. The office had called earlier to ask if they could change my appointment time and I couldn't do it and make it to the crematorium before closing so I kept the original time. But even knowing he was on a tight schedule it didn't seem to bother him that she took longer. So that was nice. I would definitely recommend both in-home in general and Dr. Shanan specifically. read more

When our vet confirmed our fears, that our beloved Mr. Frank E Schwartz, was beginning to shut down, she suggested we bring him to the ER. Given how traumatizing the death of our last pet was in that clinical setting, we knew it was not the right choice for us. So I asked if palliative or hospice care could be an option. Luckily, for us and for our dear Mr. Schwartz, we found what we all needed most with Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. Every single person we encountered went above and beyond to ensure that the end of his life was the best it could be. We were able to schedule a Saturday afternoon zoom consult, so Dr. Bartell could meet Frank E. On Monday morning the hospice nurse, Kim, came over to check on his condition, and to assure us that he was not suffering, and that we weren't keeping him alive for our needs, nor were we going to end his life too soon. Each of them ministered to our emotional needs as they provided excellent care for our dear pet, who would have turned 15 in July. Later that evening, he looked up at my husband, clearly wanting to be on his lap, and a few moments later he died there naturally, cradled in his arms. I called Dr. Bartell, who was at our house within 20 minutes, and she stayed with us for well over an hour and a half, soothing our wounded souls. She helped us gently place him in the basket she brought, with a little cushion and blanket, and we surrounded him with lilies of the valley from our garden. Dr. Bartell was just wonderful, and when it was time for her to take him away, she carried the basket to her car, and we opened the back to find a gently flickering LED candle, and some flowers. It was beautiful and dignifed. When we picked him up several days later, to bring him to @PetCremationSocietyofChicagoland, it was raining, yet Dr. Shanan and his whole staff came outside to see him off, standing in the rain. We were all crying. We are so grateful to them for everything, and I hightly recommend their services. I cannot say enough about how different this experience was compared to the last time. I just wish our pets' life spans were closer to our own. read more

It's two years later since I called Dr. Shanan to come to euthanize my dog. I would still highly recommend him today. My dog HATED the animal hospital and there was no way I was going to take him back there. Dr. Shanan actually came out to the house twice. The first time I felt like it was too soon and Dr. didn't make me feel like an idiot for calling him out when I realized my dog wasn't ready (There was a fee of course but the last few days was worth it). He is very gentle and kind and my dog took to him almost instantly. He made it as peaceful as it could be and gave us time where we needed it and he was efficient with his time but didn't make us feel like he was in a rush out. Truly a blessing to an obsessive dog mom. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice - My baby Chase - Veterinarians Near Me

We were so grateful for the kind service we received from Compassionate Veterinary Hospice. Our poor, sweet cat was struggling with very advanced and sudden onset cancer. He deteriorated so quickly, and it was so comforting to have this service just a phone call away. Everything was done so kindly and with such compassion. Thank you for helping us through a tough time. read more

Excellent people, and Dr Shahan was able to come with only a few hours notice to put my dog out of his misery. I only wish I would have found them earlier! read more

Dr. Shanan and his team have been beyond incredible to me and my Dozer! They have been helping with his arthritis and aging issues since July, always quick to respond to my concerns and help with his medications. The Compassionate team even checks in on us if they haven't gotten an update in a while! I will never be able to repay them for everything they have helped us with, and will help us with in the future. read more

We contacted Dr. Amir Shanan after we learned that our dog Scout was diagnosed with bone cancer. The team was amazing through the entire process. Scout lived 6 months after being diagnosed. Kim and Dr. Shanan were great during this tough time. I highly recommend their services. They were reliable, supportive, and had great communication. read more

Compassionate Vet was the best thing we could have ever had when it was time for Spike to pass on. My son had a very difficult time with this and Dr Amir Shanan counseled us along the path. His advice was the best ever - to time things when it's right for everyone involved, including of course, Spike. He came to our house and was so considerate of our needs; nonobtrusive and quick. We will thank him forever. read more

Thank you Dr. Shanan for helping our beloved Apollo. Dr. Shanan is a really calm compassionate man. He put me, my husband and most importantly our baby boy Apollo at ease the moment we me. He gave all of us exactly what we needed at the most difficult time of our lives. read more

I am so grateful to Dr. Shanan. He was recommended by my vet and it made a very difficult decision and day so much easier to handle. He explained everything to me and my husband when he arrived. We distracted our senior dog with treats, which she was so focused on that she didn't even know Dr. Shanan was in the room or that he had given her a shot in the scruff of her neck. She just kept eating until she fell asleep. It was so calm and peaceful, and so much better than going to the vet's office - which always terrified our little girl. This service is a blessing and I highly recommend it for the most compassionate ending to any beloved pet's life. One more FYI: they offer pet cremation services through a facility located in Hinsdale, which is very far for us to get to. We used Animal Cremation Society in Chicago which was only 20 minutes from our house and offered a private cremation. Just an option for those who don't live near Hinsdale. read more

No one wants to have to write a review for this. However, I feel fortunate that we linked up with Dr. Shanan. His gentle, knowledgeable demeanor was comforting to our kitty and to us. Because he works in-home, our super-skittish cat was able to pass on in her favorite room on her favorite pillow, surrounded by love and compassion. Dr. Shanan brought a quiet dignity to the room that set the tone for a very peaceful transition, and for that we will forever be grateful. read more

I am reposting this review - it was originally posted before Dr. Shanan has his own yelp pages. I think it's important for people know the experience I had so that they can weigh their options. I also want to note that the previous page where I posted this, the reviews for him were much more mixed than on this page. After reading all the reviews on here, it's clear people either love or hate this place. My cats were not patients here, but when it was time to put my 18 year old cat to sleep, I contacted them because I knew they did in-home euthansia and everything I heard about Dr. Shanan was so positive. I called Dr. Shanan early in the morning and left him a message. He called me right back and we spoke for awhile about my cat's condition and he agreed that it sounded like it was time. He speaks very, very slowly and honestly, if he hadn't come so highly recommended, I probably wouldnt have made the appointment with him. He came to my house on time and when I opened the door, he had a extremely sad look on his face, I am sure that's the compassionate side coming out. But it was a little exaggerated and over the top, and made me kind of uncomfortable. I am the one who was sad, he is the professional. Anyway, I told him I was having second thoughts and we sat down and discussed them. I appreciate that he did not rush or push me into anything, and in fact, offered to come back when I was ready. But after our discussion, I made the decision to move forward, because it was best for my cat. There honestly is something very odd and almost creepy about Dr. Shanan, and I think because I was so upset about my cat, I wasnt thinking clearly. He was definitely gentle with the cat. He administered the first shot, which sedates the cat and he told me it takes a few minutes to work. So he left me on the couch with my cat - and a minute later, his cell phone rings and HE TAKES THE CALL. I was in shock. He ends up having a 3 or 4 minute, non-urgent conversation while I am sobbing and spending my final moments with my cat. WHO DOES THAT? Anyway, he eventually got off the phone and administered the second shot. Then he does the paper work - take payment, etc. That should have all been done before performing the euthanasia, not afterwards when all I wanted to do was be alone. He then left the house and came back with some rubber container and blanket. I told him I wasn't going to look while he took the cat out, but he told me how nice he was going to look when he was done. I wasn't looking, but I he arranged the cat in the tub on the blanket and then when he was done, he "presented" it to me to show me how he looked- and it was really weird. I know some people think he's wonderful, but I think taking that call was insensitive and clueless and NOT compassionate. Also, I purchased a clay paw print and never received it. I know there aren't a lot of vets that provide this service, and in the end, I think it was a more comfortable way for my cat to end his days. You are going to pay top dollar for this - and apparently that did not buy me Dr. Shanan's full attention when he was at my house. It was not a good experience for me and I would advise others to go elsewhere. read more

Amir Shanan is the WORST! We called "Compassionate Vet" last night for end of life care and he was rude, unprofessional, unresponsive and dismissive - this practice is ANYTHINF but compassionate. don't waste your time calling this guy - he could not care less. We had a wonderful, compassionate and caring experience with VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital in Downers Grove - they actually "get it" - unlike Amir Shanan. read more

Thank you to everyone at Compassionate Veterinary Hospice for taking wonderful care of Gus and our family during a difficult time. Dr. Shanan and Rebecca went above and beyond. I will always appreciate their kindness and support. While I would have given anything to keep Gus with me forever, I am thankful I was able to give my big boy a peaceful passing at home. read more

Dr. Shanan is a gift to this world. It takes someone special to work with people day in and day out who are at a low moment in their lives by having to say goodbye to their pets. Dr. Shanan made himself available when I called and said it was time. He scheduled a time to come to my house, let me gather myself and get my buddy Cooper in his favorite spot on the deck and lay down beside him to say goodbye. Dr. Shanan was calm and explained what would happen and let me take some time after to have one last cuddle. He also helped me make arrangements to get my beloved Cooper's ashes back and was so caring it is hard for me to express my gratefulness in words There is a special place in heaven for people such as Dr. Shanan. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. read more

I had to call Compassionate Vet yesterday after my 11-year-old lab's horrific back problem reared its ugly head again (after having surgery a few years ago to correct). It was a heartbreaking decision (but really the only decision) to euthanize her, but I wanted to do this at home, not at the vet's office. (She's super nervous/anxious in cars and also hates the linoleum floors at the vet.) Dr. Shanan came within about an hour and a half of my call. I was SO thankful. He was so sweet with her--laid on the floor with her and let her kiss the heck out of his face. It was a very peaceful and quick procedure. Thank you, Dr. Shanan....you know what a sobbing mess I was (and still am) and you great with both of us! read more

I have known Dr. Shanan for quite some time-ever since I found him while I searched for an alternative to the horrible experience of taking one of my pets to the place they hate most in the world to say goodbye. It has been maybe 15 years now, and every time I call Dr. Shanan for advice, euthanasia, or hospice care, I am reminded that there are wonderful people in this world. He is one of the most understanding and gentle souls I have ever met, and I am so grateful to know him. It is never easy to say goodbye to a best friend, but Dr. Shanan understands what is right for one person and their pet may not be right for someone else, and he never judges your decision. Compassionate is the perfect word to describe this special man and his dedicated team. read more

Compassionate Veterinary Hospice is exceptional. Having to call an end of live service provider was a terrible experience, but Dr. Shanan made it as least painful as possible. Our family's dear 7-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog was diagnosed with cancer (histiocytic sarcoma). She declined suddenly and sadly, we knew that it was time. Upon a recommendation from a friend, we booked a different company three days in advance. At 9pm the night before we were set to euthanize our baby, that company canceled on us. We were panicked. We researched almost all of the in-home euthanasia services in the city of Chicago and decided that Compassionate Veterinary Hospice sounded like the best option. And thank goodness we made that decision. Dr. Shanan truly was the best. We called Dr. Shanan the next morning at 9am for in-home end of life services for the evening that same day. He was beyond accommodating and although busy, he understood the urgency of our situation and made time in his schedule for us. The experience of euthanizing our Berner was beyond devastating, but Dr. Shanan could not have done a more fantastic job - he was calm, patient, considerate, gentle, kind, and loving. And all that despite meeting our dog for the first time that night. I can say that without doubt I would want no one but Dr. Shanan if I ever have to go through this experience again. Everything about the experience was excellently done despite it being the worst night ever. Prior to arriving at our home, we chatted on the phone for awhile and I could tell instantly that compassion was his main concern. I had a ton of questions both about the procedure and the aftercare, and he patiently answered one after the other. When he arrived at our home (on time), he joined us on the living room floor, and was patient and caring in introducing himself to our dog. We spoke for awhile about her life and her health condition/deterioration. He then left the room to give us time to say our goodbyes and made sure not to give the first injection until we were sure that we were ready. After each injection, he would leave the room again, giving us as much time as we needed to continue our goodbyes. He was extraordinarily patient and made sure to go at our desired pace. We noticed that he would occasionally peek into the living room to see how we were doing, making sure to remain in the kitchen when he realized that we needed more time with our dog. He provided words of consolation when we looked at him for assurance. At the end, he brought a box into the room, but it was a box lined with soft, plush blankets - very much resembling a dogbed. He then placed a plush blanket over our dog once she was in the box, but decided to only cover her body - not her head - to make it resemble her being "tucked into bed." It was such an incredibly sweet touch that made watching her get placed in his car just slightly more bearable. He thought of every detail that could possibly matter to us. With his help, our dog passed away in the most peaceful, loving, and relaxed setting possible. She was our baby and I would want it no other way. Thank you again to Dr. Shanan. I cannot recommend him highly enough. read more

Dr Shanan supported us during our beloved Oliver's final days with kidney failure. Words can not express what it meant for us to care for him at home. He was terrified of the vets and we wanted him be as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Dr. Shanan's support and service allowed us to spend quality time with Oliver. His death was difficult and Dr. Shanan came out in the middle of the night to shorten his suffering. Dr. Shanan was warm, calming, reassuring and professional. We were able to say goodbye to Oliver with love, respect and dignity...as befitting a best friend. I can't recommend Compassionate Veterinary Hospice enough. read more