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Compassionate Veterinary Hospice
And in Home Euthanasia

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Meet Our Veterinarians

DR. AMIR SHANAN, DVM, CHPV

Amir Shanan, DVM, Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian

Animal Hospice Pioneer, Visionary and Leader

Dr. Shanan has been in private practice in Chicago since 1985. He is the owner and founder of Compassionate Veterinary Hospice, offering in-home medical and consultation services for geriatric and seriously ill companion animals. Dr. Shanan has helped thousands of pets and their families make the end of life a meaningful and cherished experience by providing information, nonjudgmental support, and guidance in making the most difficult decisions

Described as a “mix of philosopher, ethicist, counselor and veterinarian”, Dr. Shanan is recognized nationally and internationally as a pioneer and leader in the emerging field of animal hospice and palliative care. “After several years of practicing veterinary medicine, I realized that many loving pet parents had nowhere to go for the care and support they needed when their cherished companions approached the end of life,” says Dr. Shanan. “Fulfilling this need became my life’s calling.”

Dr. Shanan is the Founder of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. Under his leadership, end of life care practice guidelines for the veterinary profession have been written.  A training program for veterinarians and veterinary technicians seeking advanced end of life care skills was also developed, called the Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certification Program. He is the main editor of the first textbook on animal end of life care, “Hospice and Palliative Care for Companion Animals”, published in 2017.

His passions are hanging out with his wife and 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Mediterranean cuisine, a good game of rubber bridge, and doing his very small part in making the world a better place.



DR. BROOKE BARTELL, DVM

Brooke Bartell, DVM, Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian

Dr Brooke Bartell is a Chicago area native who graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana with both a BS in Animal Sciences and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Bartell has experience in many aspects of veterinary medicine, having worked in both general practice for small animals and exotics, at PAWS animal shelter with intake exams, and 10 years in emergency and critical care. Work in a large emergency and specialty hospital gave Dr Bartell the unique experience of collaborating with some of the best veterinary specialists in the area. Dr. Bartell has always had a passion for geriatric and end of life care, and for helping pet parents through difficult times. While in veterinary school, Dr Bartell took elective classes in pet loss and grief, and volunteered with the Pet Loss and Grief hotline at the University of Illinois Vet School. During her decade in emergency/critical care, Dr Bartell assisted and supported pet parents on a daily basis as they were making thoughtful and often difficult decisions for their furry family members

“I’ve always been an animal lover, and an empathetic soul. I was called to veterinary medicine early on, with a love of both all things furry and of science. I have helped many families as their pet angels earned their wings, and I have had to say goodbye to my own. I am so grateful to have been able to share in so many stories of how their pets came into their life, the funny stories of the trouble they got into sometimes, the support and love they gave their people, and the quirks that made them special. Some of my most rewarding experiences throughout my years in veterinary practice have been helping families prepare to say goodbye, offering support and a listening ear to those in need. I strongly believe in the importance of holding space for people as they find their way thru difficult times. I am humbled to be able to help families of pets who are aged, infirm, and making their way through their last days together. I try to practice mindfulness in my personal and veterinary life, and to be present in the moment. As a geriatric pet parent myself, I know how valuable each day can be, and I look forward to helping other families enjoy every day they have.”

Dr. Bartell believes in working with you to make the best choices you can for everyone in your family, and strives to provide clear options, compassion, and support. If it’s time to say goodbye to your beloved pet, Dr Bartell will do everything she can to make the experience as peaceful as possible.



Meet Our Staff

Eleanor Burgher – Practice Manager

Eleanor Burgher started out in the veterinary world in 2013 as a client care coordinator. Over the last decade she has worked in most of the positions within a veterinary practice including Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Nurse, Office Manager, and now Practice Manager. As a nurse she worked in general practice, ER, ICU, and Dentistry. She loves this industry and is now dedicating her passion and focus to hospice, palliative, and in-home euthanasia care. She is honored to help support the wonderful and talented team at Compassionate Veterinary Hospice and provide their clients and pets with another caring hand. When she’s not on the clock at CVH, you can find her caring for her own elderly pups, spending time with her amazing family, and gradually attempting to eat at every delectable dining establishment in this food-loving city of Chicago.



Irene

Irene Petroski, CVT, Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Technician – Lead Veterinary Nurse

Irene has 20 years experience with veterinary medicine of all kinds, ranging from Chinese alternative therapies and ophthalmology to wildlife rehabilitation. When she is not trying to make sickly and elderly pets more comfy-cozy, she is being a mom to her human animal and 2 rascally kitties, doing yoga, traveling, riding her bike to anywhere, and expanding her mind through reading and learning.



Kim

Kim Szablewski, Veterinary Nurse

Kim joined the Compassionate Veterinary Hospice team in December 2020. She came to us with over 19 years of experience working in the veterinary field including areas of general practice, ophthalmology and a laboratory technician role, as well. She is passionate about the human-animal bond and enjoys continuously learning new information and skills. Hospice and palliative care are unique areas of veterinary medicine that Kim finds extremely rewarding and proud to be a part of.

In her time outside of work, Kim lives in the Western suburbs with her boyfriend and 12-year-old rescue, a little poodle mix named Gertie. Kim has a special place in her heart for all senior pets. Gertie was rescued and adopted at an estimated age of 10 years old. In her free time, Kim enjoys gardening, road trips and reading. She is also working towards becoming involved in volunteer work for a local pet rescue and their community programs.



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Neomi Torres, Nurse Assistant

I joined the CVH team in February 2022. Prior to working for CVH, I was in human health care working in several nursing homes and human hospice, but during heavy Covid, found my calling has and will always be in veterinary medicine.

I’m currently enrolled in Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technology Program working towards earning my CVT. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work in a general practice and also alongside Dr. Shanan and Dr. Brooke for the last few years gaining knowledge and experience in this special field of veterinary medicine. Being a part of the CVH family had also brought me the greatest joy in my life: taking in a former Hospice Patient who needed additional care than her family could provide for her at the time. The experience and love that I was able to give her before her time is something that I will treasure for the rest of my life, and I will forever be grateful to the family that allowed me to take her in as my own.

My experience working with the CVH team has taught me a lot about the animal end-of-life process and giving pet parents the non-judgmental guidance and support in making those difficult decisions needed to benefit their pet’s end of life.

During my downtime, I enjoy horseback riding, a good game of Dungeons and Dragons, painting, thrifting, and binge watching tv shows with my family. I currently have 5 pets: Wally, Barry and Scooby (Rough Collie, Pembroke Corgi and Shihtzu), a spicy 12 YO geriatric Ragdoll named Misty, and a 7 YO Bearded Dragon named Raffi.



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Tracy Napoli, Office manager

I have worked in the veterinary field since 1989. I had worked in the general practice area for the last 37 years wearing many different hats and I’m the newest member of the Compassion Vet family.

Through my decades of experience what I found to be the most poignant and memorable was guiding the clients through the end of life journey. I am comfortable helping people feel their grief in a safe space. I worked at one practice for 27 years, so I was there when their beloved pet was a baby and I was there on their last day too. It meant the world to me to be a part of the village that helps care for these amazing creatures and to love and support the people that so beautifully cared for them.

I am so proud to be a part of this amazing team and to learn from and share my experience with the amazing staff.

I graduated from DePaul University with a BA in sociology with a concentration in anthropology- initially wanting to study mountain gorillas. I started in the veterinary field while in college, fell in love and stayed put. It has made my life very wonderful.

I have two cats, Diego and Goblin and a sweet old dog, Grace, who often gets mistaken for a potato, being brown in color and shaped like a tuber. They are all rescues but as the saying goes- who rescued who??

In my free time, I love movies, going out to eat and trying new restaurants. Spending time with my sister and nephew and the many wonderful friends I have met through my experiences through this crazy thing they call LIFE. I also love to travel and have quite the bucket list.

My motto in life is- always choose kindness and you’ll always be right.



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Rebecca Mitchell, Lead Client Care Coordinator, Certified Animal Hospice Provider

I joined Compassionate Veterinary Hospice in May of 2018, and I’m so excited to have such a great opportunity to help pets and pet parents. I have been involved in animal care since volunteering at my local ASPCA as a teen, and I’ve never looked back. After moving to Chicago in 2002, I started working at Tree House Humane Society Clinic, and spent almost 15 years there. I loved learning the ins and outs of veterinary practice from the Tree House dedicated team.

I was drawn to helping the Tree House longer-term [feline] residents at the end of their lives. It was a privilege I am still grateful for.

Hospice practice also provides an opportunity for me to serve people at a vulnerable time, as they confront the loss of their beloved animals. I have a genuine affection for people, and anything I can do to make someone’s grieving experience even a little easier is well worth my time and effort. I am so glad to be in a position where I can help smooth the process and eliminate some unnecessary stress, so pet parents can focus completely on taking care of themselves and their pet during such a difficult time.

When I’m not at work I enjoy knitting, reading, and volunteering at church. I live with my husband on the South Side of Chicago, where we enjoy feeding the feral cats (and occasional possum) passing through our yard.



Helping pets with quality of life and peaceful partings

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At Compassionate Veterinary Hospice, you will find the loving care, support and guidance you are looking for to ensure your pet’s final journey is peaceful and gentle for your pet and your entire family.