RAPS Animal Hospital is honoured to partner with a new service that makes the final moments in a family’s relationship with their companion animal as loving and peaceful as it can be.

Watermark Pet Hospice Services and Aquamation has launched the first service in Metro Vancouver providing H.E.A.R.T.™ – Hospice, Euthanasia, Aftercare, Remembrance, and Transition.

“This launch marks a meaningful moment for us and reflects our unwavering dedication to end-of-life care,” says Dr. Regan Schwartz, founder of Watermark. Schwartz is also a veterinarian with the community-owned, nonprofit RAPS Animal Hospital. “We bring to families the entire range of end-of-life needs for their companion animals, from hospice care to compassionate in-home euthanasia and finally aquamation.”

Aquamation, or water cremation, is a more gentle, natural and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional cremation, says Schwartz. Aquamation mirrors the natural decomposition process. It creates no direct emissions of harmful greenhouse gases. Aquamation does not burn any fossil fuels and is 90% more energy efficient than flame cremation.

Hospice care is a specialized approach that prioritizes comfort, support, and symptom relief for animals facing a life-limiting illness. Rather than focusing on curative treatment, it aims to enhance quality of life and uphold the dignity of your pet during the end-of-life journey. This holistic care model addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of both the pet and their loved ones. This is a unique offering for pet guardians.
 
“Dr. Schwartz is renowned in the Vancouver animal community for her empathetic approach to animals and their people,” says Eyal Lichtmann, CEO of RAPS Animal Hospital. “With Watermark, Dr. Schwartz is now offering inclusive, thoughtful end-of-life care that helps the patient and their family through the process of the final stages of life, peaceful passage and then the most respectful, gentle aftercare.”

“By the time the end came, Dr. Schwartz and Cody were good friends,” says Paul Tillotson, whose 14-year-old border collie passed peacefully after care from Dr. Schwartz in his final years. “When she arrived for her final visit, Cody was comforted by her presence, he was at home with us, and his leaving was as serene as it could possibly have been. We will always be grateful for that final gift.”

In addition to these services, Watermark offers grief support resources, memorial keepsakes, and operates the Potato Memorial Fund, which helps families in need access end-of-life care for their pets.
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For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit www.watermarkpethospice.ca or contact [email protected] or call the RAPS Animal Hospital at 604-242-1666.

What languages do you speak?
English and Tagalog 
 
Where did you grow up? 
I was born in Manila, Philippines, raised in Brunei until I was 6, then came to BC and lived in Richmond for forever. Both my parents are Filipino. My grandparents and parents made sure that my sister and I can still speak Tagalog as it benefits us to have more than one language, plus to continue our heritage and cultural traditions. 
 
How did you get into this field of work?
I was actually bringing my dogs to RAPS when one day I saw an ad that they were hiring, so I took a chance and applied, since I love animals and wanted a change.
 
How long have you been at RAPS?
I have been at RAPS for about two years.
 
Tell us about your pets!
I have two dogs and 3 aquariums full of aquatics. I have grown up with dogs since my grandparents took care of a lot of them as I was growing up. But I always just loved animals, so throughout my life I have had hamsters and guinea pigs (even though I was allergic to them). When COVID happened, I found a nice hobby with aquascaping and having freshwater fish.
 
What can you tell us about your experience at RAPS?
RAPS loves to cultivate a family environment. We work well together and we often plan activities after work. I honestly have not worked in a place where the team wants to spend more time together. We already spent 10 to 12 hours a day together – why not more? I literally had one co-worker who had too many days off lined up together and they came in to work just to hang out.