Our Story
Our Story
White Whiskers Aging Pet Care is the culmination of years of experience in the veterinary world and countless dinner table discussions between Dr. Kelly and Dr. Robert (and Fiona) regarding what was missing in the veterinary experience. This company is our promise to address the many shortcomings that our dogs and cats often face in the traditional model of care. And it was all catalyzed by a dog named Beau.
Beau was a patient of Dr. Kelly’s while she worked within the traditional veterinary hospital setting. His mom, Stephanie, brought Beau to see Dr. Kelly because she noticed that he was getting stiffer and was unable to pursue his usual adventures with the same vigor and enjoyment of his youth. Beau received acupuncture treatments to ease his aches and pains and in no time he was out hiking in the mountains again with his younger brothers. Over the next year or so, Dr. Kelly saw Beau twice a month and was able to develop a budding friendship with his mom and dad.
Sadly, as much as we can help our aging pets, we cannot stop the aging process. Eventually, Beau was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. When this happened Dr. Kelly was there to support Beau’s parents every step of the way. She helped them define what their goals and priorities were: to give Beau more time, if possible, but to always remain dedicated to making sure what life he had left was quality. It was important to them that they never extend Beau’s life purely out of a selfish desire to avoid losing their friend. She helped them find a veterinary oncologist who came up with a plan for Beau and she was there every time they needed reassurance that they were remaining true to their priorities for Beau’s final days.
When it was finally time to say good-bye, Dr. Kelly accompanied Dr. Robert to assist in giving Beau the gift of release from his failing body in the comfort of his special room at home. Beau’s parents and his dog brothers were able to celebrate him and send him off in a way that was befitting a dog as beloved as he was. From beginning to end, Beau’s journey encapsulated the kind of experience we wanted to create for all of our aging pets.
The White Whiskers Mission
As the first of its kind in Colorado Springs, we wanted to create a service that joins community, comfort and convenience. Our goal isn’t to merely show up at the last possible moment, but to join you in the entire journey of old age with your companion. We don’t aim to merely reach old age, but to enrich it and celebrate it. And when we come to the end of our path together we want you to know that you can rely on us for that most challenging of transitions because when it comes time to help a beloved pet say goodbye, it is so important that it be with a friend and neighbor.
White Whiskers is proud to be a member of the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
The White Whiskers Mission
As the first of its kind in Colorado Springs, we wanted to create a service that joins community, comfort and convenience. Our goal isn’t to merely show up at the last possible moment, but to join you in the entire journey of old age with your companion. We don’t aim to merely reach old age, but to enrich it and celebrate it. And when we come to the end of our path together we want you to know that you can rely on us for that most challenging of transitions because when it comes time to help a beloved pet say goodbye, it is so important that it be with a friend and neighbor.
Expressing Values Through Action
When we created White Whiskers we wanted to be very intentional about the kind of practice we built and the impact we would have on our community and clients. We strive to live up to our core values each and every day, whether we are interacting with our clients and their pets or with each other. We believe that we have been successful in this endeavor and are proud to share our values with you.
To celebrate all stages of life, most especially the golden years of our senior dogs and cats.To celebrate all stages of life redundancy, most especially the golden years of our senior dogs and cats. It is impossible to measure how much our pets have enriched our lives and molded us into better human beings. It can be scary to watch them age and it is easy to get stuck mourning the loss of the animal they used to be, so much so that we forget to celebrate the animal they are today. It is our mission to provide you the support and solutions you need to help you celebrate this very special time in your pet’s life.
We see our patients and clients in their home. We sit on the floor and spend a minimum of an hour on every appointment. We know your names and your families’ names. Sometimes we talk about scary things. We share our lives, hopes and dreams with you in hopes of creating a space where no one ever feels like just a client – you are part of our family.
We believe that no one knows your pet as well as you do. We strive to create a safe space where you can advocate for your pet. We take the time to explain, answer questions and create an individualized plan so that you can be empowered to help your pet.
We believe that we are stronger together and that by supporting one another we can have a positive impact on our local community. We can’t be everything to everyone and we would fail if we tried. By building bridges and supporting the many talented and hardworking individuals and businesses in Colorado Springs, we can support our friends and our colleagues alike while ensuring that our patients are provided the services that they need.
When your pet is sick it can be scary to know where to go and what to do. We are always building and growing our relationships with local veterinarians in an endeavor to advocate on your behalf and make sure you get your pet to the right place in a timely manner. We can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to move mountains, but by building bridges with other veterinary professionals, we are able to provide our clients with greater options in their time of need.
Veterinary medicine is an industry of giving, however, over the past few years burnout has become an epidemic that affects how we are able to show up for our clients and patients. We believe that the best way to address this crisis is to create a workplace that honors and builds up our work family so that they, in turn, have the emotional reserves to give to our extended White Whiskers family in their time of need.
Our clients come from all walks of life and we at White Whiskers are all the better for having the opportunity to be a part of those lives. We are invested in your success as pet parents, because that’s our success too. But we also know that the new age of pet ownership is so much more dynamic than just what you feed them and what medications they’re on. They’re a direct extension of your family and that means that it’s as important for us to care for your family as it is for us to care about your senior pet.
A Message from the CEO
Hi White Whiskers! If you're seeing this for the first time, you should get a little intro about White Whiskers. It all started when my mom and dad decided to make an old dog and cat veterinary business. My mother helps old dogs and cats and helps make them stronger and my father comes and helps old dogs and cats go to a better place and lose all their cares. Emily and Kelli are the care team so if you want an appointment, give a call. By the way, you might be wondering who I am. My name is Fiona and I'm the CEO, Dr. Kelly and Dr. Rob's daughter.
Bye, White Whiskers!
Fiona
White Whiskers Aging Pet Care provides in-home veterinarian services, including senior pet care, quality-of-life consultations, and pet home euthanasia. Our mobile veterinarian provides compassionate care and peaceful passings for cats and dogs in Colorado Springs, Peyton, Black Forest, Monument, Fountain, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Falcon, Palmer Lake, Calhan, Pueblo, and surrounding areas.