About IAAHPC

Join us at IAAHPC to help shape compassionate end-of-life care for animals while supporting caregivers and forging ahead in research to enhance the quality of hospice care.

We promote comfort care that addresses the physical, psychological, and social needs of animals with chronic and/or life-limiting diseases.

We promote physical, emotional, and spiritual support for caregivers.

closeup of a woman's hand holding a dog's paw

We educate professionals and advance research in the field of animal hospice and palliative care.

Our Non-Profit Mission

The IAAHPC promotes comfort care that addresses the physical, psychological, and social needs of animals with chronic and/or life-limiting diseases. We promote physical, emotional, and spiritual support for caregivers. We also educate professionals and advance research in the field of animal hospice and palliative care.

Our Vision

The IAAHPC strives to create a world in which animal hospice and palliative care services are widely available to animals and their caregivers. We want hospice and palliative care to be broadly recognized by veterinarians, veterinary nurses/technicians, and mental health/spiritual care professionals worldwide as an integral part of quality care.

Our Values

The IAAHPC is committed to:

  • Innovation
  • Respect
  • Teamwork
  • Integrity
  • Commitment
  • Inclusivity

IAAHPC

A Historical Timeline

2009
2009

IAAHPC Mission Articulated Incorporation in Illinois; IAAHPC.org Launched Founding BOD: Amir Shanan, DVM, CHPV; Tina Ellenbogen, DVM; Tami Shearer, DVM, CVPP, CVA, CCRP, Ella Bittel, AVCA, IVAS

2nd Nikki Hospice Symposium: the IAAHPC organization was announced by Amir

1st IAAHPC Open House event at close of Symposium (40 attendees)

2010
2010

President: Amir Shanan, DVM, CHPV

BOD Expanded: Amir Shanan, DVM, CHPV; Tina Ellenbogen, DVM; Tami Shearer, DVM, CVPP, CVA, CCRP; Jamie Glasser, DVM; Ella Bittel, AVCA, IVAS; Anthony Smith, DVM; Kathryn Maracchino, PhD, FT; Gail Pope; Sharen Eyers LCSW

2011
2011

President: Amir Shanan, DVM, CHPV

Veterinary Clinics North America Journal published; Editor, Tami Shearer, DVM, CVPP, CVA, CCRP

1st Annual Conference, Paving the Way to the Future | Ft. Worth, TX (44 attendees)

2012
2012

President: Anthony Smith, DVM

2nd Annual Conference, GPS Guide to Pet Hospice Success | Denver, CO

2013
2013

President: Robin Kesnow, RVT

IAAHPC Practice Guidelines Written

3rd Annual Conference, The Future is Today! | Denver, CO

2014
2014

President: Coleen A. Ellis, CT, CPLP

International Committee Established; Lianna Titcombe, DVM (Canada)

4th Annual Conference, Full Speed Ahead! | Indianapolis, IN

2015
2015

President: Kathy Cooney, DVM, MS, CHPV, CCFP

Volunteer Relations Program Established; Michelle Nichols, MS CGRS

5th Annual Conference, It Starts With US! | San Diego, CA

2016
2016

President: Lianna Titcombe, DVM (First IAAHPC International President)

IAAHPC Animal Hospice & Palliative Care (AHPC) Certification Program Launched

Business Circles Program Established

6th Annual, Conference, Supporting YOU! | Tysons, VA

2017
2017

President: Jessica Pierce, PHD, MTS

Kathryn Jennings, CPFE, CPLP becomes IAAHPC's First Executive Director

IAAHPC Advisory Board developed

Hospice and Palliative Care for Companion Animals Textbook Published; Editors: Amir Shanan, DVM, CHPV, Jessica Pierce, Tami Shearer, DVM, CVPP, CVA, CCRP

7th Annual Conference, Synergy in Seattle! | Seattle WA

2018
2018

President: Shea Cox, DVM, CVVPP, CPLP, CHPV

Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (AHPC) Social Work Certificate Program Launched

8th Annual Conference, Live the Mission, Share the Vision! | Tempe, AZ (250+ attendees)

2019
2019

President: Michelle Nichols, MS, CGRS

First ever IAAHPC Veterinary Course! at U of Penn; Developed by Diane Eigner, VMD, CHPV, MBA, CVPM

9th Annual Conference, Honoring the Past, Celebrating Our Future | Chicago IL

10-year anniversary of IAAHPC

2020
2020

President: Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CHPV, CTPEP, CPEV

New IAAHPC Logo Introduced

10th Annual (Virtual) Conference

2021
2021

President: Tammy Wynn, MHA, LISW, RVT, CHPT

11th Annual Conference, Tampa Back to the Future

IAAHPC Insights

Transparency

The IAAHPC Board of Directors is committed to communicating with the full membership and with the public to maintain financial and organizational transparency. To do this, the Board publishes an Annual Report each year and presents the “State of the IAAHPC” at the annual IAAHPC conference. Financial and program data are also updated annually at Guidestar.org.

Annual Reports