A new article published in AAHA Trends on May 15, 2026, offers a sweeping look at how far veterinary hospice and palliative care has come — and where it’s headed next. IAAHPC members Chelsea McGivney, DVM, MBA, and Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CTPEP, CHPV, CVPP and Executive Director Coleen Ellis co-authored the article.
The piece, “Veterinary Hospice and End-of-Life Care: A Profession Comes Full Circle,” traces the history of the movement from its early roots in the 1990s through the formalization of the field that IAAHPC has led since its founding in 2009. It highlights the milestone guidelines IAAHPC has developed in partnership with AAHA and AAFP, the growth of certification pathways, the expansion of in-home and hospice-focused practices across the country, and the release of the updated 2026 Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Guidelines.
The article underscores what IAAHPC members have known and championed for years: end-of-life care is not a failure. It is an essential, evidence-based, relationship-centered discipline — and it is now among the fastest-growing niches in the veterinary profession.
Perhaps most meaningful is the cultural shift the authors describe. Veterinary medicine is increasingly embracing a comfort-first, “care over cure” mindset that places quality of life, the human-animal bond, and the full caregiving experience at the center of clinical decision-making.
We are proud to see IAAHPC’s work — and our community’s dedication — reflected in one of veterinary medicine’s most prominent publications. This is a moment to share widely.
Read the full article in AAHA Trends here: https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/veterinary-hospice-and-end-of-life-care-a-profession-comes-full-circle/