Client Comfort Room

Client comfort rooms should be in a low traffic area of the hospital and when possible have access to a separate exit. This exit will allow clients to leave the hospital without walking through the reception area. Suggested items include:

1. Comfortable seating

2. Large mats with washable covers that can be placed on the floor. This allows pets and their owners to sit or lay comfortably near one another.

3. The option of lowered, non-florescent lighting (lamps, simple wall units with standard 40 watt bulbs, or overhead lights with a dimmer, work well and plug into existing outlets).

4. Colorful, but soothing wall hangings

5. Plants or greenery

6. Curtains or blinds for any windows to ensure privacy

7. Facial tissues

8. Animal supplies including: pet food/treats, a bowl for water, towels

9. Clay paw prints (for clients as a memorialization/linking object to their pet)

10. Scissors for clipping fur, and small bags or envelopes for the fur (can also serve as a memorialization/linking object)

11. Telephone (cordless phone or close access to a phone that can be used in privacy)

12. "Do Not Disturb" signs for Comfort Room doors

13. A dry-erase board on the outside of the door to enable staff to reserve the room.

14. Pet loss and support handouts (Appendices PL-11, PL-12, PL-13)

15. A lending library of pet loss support books.

16. A small fan in case the room becomes too warm.

17. TV/VCR to show videos on various topics (diagnosis, treatment, pet loss, etc.)

18. A small mirror (clients who have been crying may want to "freshen up" before leaving the comfort room).

19. A cassette player or CD player available for music. Appendix PL-1: Client Comfort Room

20. A Call Button so clients who wish to have time alone with their pet before or after the euthanasia can signal they are ready for a member of the veterinary team to return to the room. (A call button would avoid making clients search for, or interrupt a staff member when they are ready for you to return).

21. A clean washcloth or small hand towel placed near the sink that can be dampened and used to help clients "freshen up" after their tears.