Keeping People and Their Pets Together with Dr Alicia Kennedy
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About this episode
We talk a lot on this show about preparing for our own death. But what about preparing for the death of a pet, or making sure our pet is looked after if something happens to us?
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Alicia Kennedy, an end-of-life veterinarian of over 40 years and the founder of Cherished Pets, a veterinary social enterprise and B Corp based in the Geelong region of Victoria. Alicia pioneered the field of veterinary social work in Australia, building a multidisciplinary HAB (Human Animal Bond) Care Team of vets, vet nurses, social workers and volunteers who support older people, people living with disability, and people experiencing mental illness, homelessness or family violence to stay together with their pets through life's hardest moments.
Alicia shares the personal story behind Cherished Pets, the three guiding principles she uses to decide when it's time to say goodbye, what actually makes for "a good death" for a pet, and why she believes every health care plan, from GPs to aged care, should ask the question: "Do you have a pet?" We also talk about the growing world of home euthanasia, memorialisation and cremation options, how to support children and other pets through pet loss, and why planning ahead for vet bills and end-of-life care can save families from financial and emotional crisis.
Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.
Take care,
Catherine
Show notes
Guest Bio
Veterinarian and Founder of Cherished Pets
Alicia Kennedy is the founder of Cherished Pets, an innovative social enterprise dedicated to keeping people and their pets together during life's most challenging circumstances. Recognising the profound bond between humans and animals, Alicia established Cherished Pets to support older people, individuals living with disability, those experiencing mental illness, homelessness, family violence, and other vulnerabilities.
Under Alicia's leadership, Cherished Pets has pioneered a unique Veterinary Social Work model that combines animal welfare, social work, and community support. Through volunteer pet care, emergency respite services, veterinary assistance, and social connection programs, Cherished Pets helps reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, and ensure people are not forced to choose between their own safety and the companionship of their beloved pets.
A passionate advocate for the human-animal bond, Alicia has led groundbreaking research partnerships exploring the role pets play in reducing isolation, supporting mental health, and strengthening communities. Her work continues to influence how communities, health services, and social support organisations recognise the vital role companion animals play in people's lives.
Summary
What you'll hear in this episode:
- How decades of caring for elderly clients' pets led Alicia to found Cherished Pets and its Human Animal Bond (HAB) Care Team
- The three guiding principles Alicia uses to decide when a pet's suffering means it's time for euthanasia
- What a planned, peaceful "good death" can look like for a pet, and why sooner is often better than later
- Memorialisation, cremation options, and how to help children and companion pets navigate pet loss
- Why every emergency and aged care plan should include a plan for who looks after your pet
- How to financially prepare for vet bills before a crisis hits, so emotions don't take over the decision-making
Transcript
Resources
Connect with Dr Alicia Kennedy & Cherished Pets
Website: cherishedpetcare.com.au
Instagram / social media: @asocialheartedvet
Alicia's 2025 Churchill Fellowship report, exploring the human-animal bond internationally, will be published in late August/September 2026, with more reflections to follow on her Substack.
People and Their Pets (Pets and People) – a directory of pet bereavement counsellors
https://petsandpeople.com.au/
Sunset Vets – whose support program offers referral-based, one-on-one bereavement counselling
https://sunsetvets.com.au/services/counselling/
Rest Your Paws is Australia’s leading at home palliative care and euthanasia service for elderly and terminally-ill pets.
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