Research & IAAHPC

Commitment to Advancing Knowledge

The International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) is deeply committed to supporting and advancing research in the fields of animal hospice and palliative care. Our goal is to encourage the discovery and application of evidence-based medicine in these areas, enhancing practices and outcomes in these vital areas of veterinary medicine.

Research is essential for developing new methodologies, understanding the nuances of care, and deepening the human-animal bond during the most challenging times. By promoting rigorous scientific inquiry and encouraging collaborative efforts among professionals, we aim to enhance the foundation of knowledge that supports evidence-based practices in veterinary hospice and palliative care.

Explore Our Research Initiatives

Call for Papers: Special Edition on Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care
As part of our commitment to evidence-based medicine, we are excited to announce a special issue of the Human-Animal Interactions Journal focusing on Veterinary Hospice, Palliative Care, and the Human-Animal Bond. We invite researchers and practitioners to contribute their insights and findings to this significant edition.

We Are Seeking Submissions On:

  • Original research (both qualitative and quantitative)
  • Review papers and clinical case studies
  • Short communications and perspective pieces
  • Innovative approaches to veterinary hospice care
  • Insights into the human-animal bond during palliative care

Why Contribute?

  • This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a rapidly growing and deeply meaningful area of veterinary medicine. As interest in hospice and palliative care continues to expand, publishing your work in this special issue helps shape the future of the field while elevating your professional profile.
  • Contributors will be recognized as thought leaders in an emerging discipline, with the potential to enhance their reputation, attract speaking engagements, open doors to consulting opportunities, and foster new research collaborations.
  • A limited number of publication fee waivers are available. Early submission is encouraged to be considered for these waivers.

Deadline for Submissions: September 30, 2025
Ready to make an impact? Click here for submission guidelines and learn more about our aims and scope.
For any inquiries, please contact Dr. Karin Christopher or Dr. Lori Kogan for more details.

The evolution, challenges and future of veterinary hospice and palliative care

Trace the journey of veterinary hospice and palliative care—from its compassionate ‘pawspice’ origins to today’s evidence-based best practices—and glimpse what the future holds for dignified, pet-centered end-of-life support.

Veterinary end-of-life mobile practitioners: Motivators, challenges, job fulfillment and burnout

Discover what drives veterinarians into mobile end-of-life care, the hurdles they face, and how personalized compassion on wheels can fuel both profound job satisfaction and resilience against burnout.

Compassionate end-of-life care: Development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive euthanasia course in veterinary education from 2019–2024

See how a pioneering hybrid euthanasia curriculum at VMCVM has equipped future veterinarians with compassionate end-of-life skills—blending hands-on practice, certification, and student feedback to shape best practices.