Stillwaters Veterinary Care- End of Life Services, Syracuse NY

Stillwaters is nothing short of amazing. We had to make a very quick decision to put down our 12 year shepard as he started to fail overnight and everyone at Stillwaters was so kind and helpful during the process. I remember the kindness and care that Cecilia put into helping our wonderful Gates pass peacefully and with as much dignity as possible. She was so thoughtful and took the time to praise Gates for being so sweet and even asked us about his favorite things to do as to help make it easier with us losing him. Then she went above and beyond and let me have the time to curl up and cry like a baby as I held my sweet boy one last time and didn't once pressure us into moving forward with her taking him until we were ready. It just means so much to us that we got such great care for him at his final moments and I will forever use them for any future end of life choices.

Dr. Kuratomi was so compassionate handling my beloved Marley's at home euthanasia. She gave us plenty of time and did not rush us at all. So thankful.

We could not be more grateful for the kindness and empathy Stillwaters showed at every turn. Making this decision is never easy; my heart breaks for everyone who faces it. But we knew it was time, and we were able to be at home, together as a family—my partner, our younger dog, and me—to say goodbye.

Stillwaters was flexible and extremely responsive. We scheduled an appointment, then postponed it when our boy improved for a couple of days. But then he took a turn, and we knew we couldn't delay. Stillwaters was able to send Cecilia, an incredible doctor and human, to our house a few hours later.

Cecilia treated Finley with the utmost care and gentleness, from the beginning to the end. She sat with us and got to know him a little first. Then she explained every part of the procedure before and while she was doing it. I had my hand on Finley the whole time as he peacefully went to sleep. When it was over, Cecilia stepped outside and gave us time to grieve—including Piglet, our younger dog, who was able to smell Finley so she wouldn't wait forever for him to come home. Then we lifted our sweet boy onto a stretcher; Cecilia put his little head on a pillow, tucked him under a blanket, and carried him away.

Not everyone gets to say goodbye on their own terms, in their own home. Thanks to Stillwaters, we did. They made the pain a little less sharp, a little softer. What a tremendous gift. We will never forget Cecilia’s tenderness, and the genuine warmth of everyone who helped us along the way.

Truly cannot begin to explain how amazing Dr. Millard was for our sweet Daisy. She spent 15 years with me (born ON my 11th birthday, she joined our home when I was in 5th grade). After many years of medical issues and on a couple of daily meds. Daisy started to tell me her time was coming to an end. On one of our worst days, Dr. Millard was able to help us with guidance and assist Daisy in transitioning to another life. She explained every moment of the process to us, let us have our time with our girl, and it wasn’t rushed at all. It was very peaceful. She was able to be in her bedroom, in her very own bed, with her blankies, and people that loved her right by her side the entire time. Daisy was an incredibly sassy dog, full of personality, and you knew what she was trying to tell you with just one look lol!
My sweet girl lived a full and happy life. There is no better option to assist our pets with transitioning to their next adventure. I have no words to thank Dr. M or what the whole team does for all of us. I thank you with my whole heart.
I’ll include some pics of our lil miss.
Rest in peace my lil chicken, I’ll miss you every single day.
01/27/2009-02/04/2024

Stillwater’s staff was so compassionate and professional when helping my family through Copernicus’ last days. We’d like to thank Annette for caring for Copernicus and helping him pass peacefully.

I never ended up needing anyone to come to my house. I set up an appointment a couple days ago to have my elderly dog put down (I even e-mailed today to have it rescheduled for earlier since he had taken a turn quicker than anticipated) …but he ended up passing on his own. I e-mailed to let someone know we no longer needed the appointment and I got a very heartfelt e-mail back from someone named Maggie. Maggie, your e-mail is one of the first things I read after I buried my dog and as small as it may have been for you, it meant the world to me. Thank you for your kind words, and thank you to everyone at Stillwater for being so willing to provide support during such a challenging and heartbreaking time.

I would like to thank Stillwater’s veterinary Care for taking such good care of our dog Chloe when the day came. They helped us the same day even last minute to make sure our chloe wouldn’t suffer. They were so kind and let us do things in our own time. I would highly recommend their services to anyone and it was so much nicer than having to take our dog to a strange place to them, but instead were able to be comfortable at her own home in her dog bed. Thank you again so much

I just called to schedule my Dog his 1st appointment and Rebecca who answered the phone. I said “hi how are you doing today” she sighed really loud like she was annoyed that I even called and proceeded to say “how can I help you” first impression is everything to me. Hung up and I will be calling elsewhere.

Thankful to have the option of Stillwater just 3 days before Christmas. Lexi was home and comfortable. She even licked Dr Mayas hand. When your fur baby gets sick and things happen so quick you just have to do what’s best for them. I am grateful we didn’t have to get her to a Vet Clinic to help her cross to Rainbow Bridge. I miss her everyday but she lived a full life to 12 years of age. Fly high Lexi Lu we love you and miss you.

A couple days before Christmas my family and I had to make one of the hardest decisions to say goodbye to our family dog snups of 12 years. A couple places recommended stillwaters and I'm so grateful they did they were kind and made this painful process a little bit easier for us. Every person I spoke with were kind and compassionate and I can't be more thankful for that.

It's hard to come up with words that truly express how grateful we are for Dr. Annie from Stillwaters Veterinary Care!
I called our vet in Ithaca to say it was time to let our dog, Maggie, go. He was unavailable due to a family health emergency.
After calling some places in Auburn & speaking with our vet's Vet Tech, the general consensus was, "Call Stillwaters. I've heard nothing but great things about them. "
I called & was told they didn't have an opening until Thursday (It was about 5: 00pm Tuesday), but then the girl asked me if I could hold for a minute to see if there was any way to get an appointment for Wednesday. She came back & said someone will be there tomorrow morning!
Dr. Annie arrived & there was an instant connection! I am 73 & my husband is 83 & we have been through some health issues, but never have we felt such genuine empathy & been comforted like we were. It's such a heartbreaking situation to be in & Dr. Annie walked us through it in a way that was so loving & caring. I'll never forget it.
Plus I liked Dr. Annie so much that I wanted to ask her to stay for lunch! That's how Awesome she is!
Thank You to all at Stillwaters. You are the Best!

Unfortunately we had to lay to rest our dog Moe. Who I took in 3 years ago after my uncle passed away, when his kids weren't about to take him. I am not an animal person (or so I thought) but Moe became a part of our family. He will be missed dearly. The staff here was AMAZING and explained everything and were very kind and compassionate.

When it came to one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make, I am so glad I was referred to Stillwaters! I have nothing but the nicest things to say about the people that I spoke to and the Dr that came to help with the passing of my sweet girl! I'm so glad that it was able to be done in my home and the Dr gave me all the time I needed. I never once felt rushed and I was never made to feel like I was making the wrong decision.
If it was possible I'd give more than five stars, and although it is an emotional and heartbreaking situation I'm definitely going to recommend Stillwaters service to everyone I know that may be in need of it or know anyone themselves.
Thank you again Stillwaters, for helping my sweet baby Phoenix cross the rainbow Bridge as peacefully and calmly as anyone could ever hope for!

I highly recommend this group for end of life in-home care. Very peaceful event. Enzo and the Doherty family is truly appreciative.

While it has been a difficult couple of weeks, I felt it was important to share my thoughts about this incredible group. This is the 3rd time we have used the "angels" from Stillwaters (name seems apt, doesn't it?) Yesterday, Dr. Millard was our angel who helped our (my) best friend transition to a place without pain and illness. She came to our home (as all angels do), spoke with us, explained, and allowed us to grieve and love as we needed. I awoke today to continued heartbreak.but I know our Beau is free. Y'all are beyond the best. I hope everyone knows that they can reach out to you for help.and thank you Dr. Millard for being our angel yesterday.you get it - not everyone does.

We just had our 17 year old siamese cat Miagi put down in our home. Dr. Jo was absolutely amazing. Her kind words and presence made our Miagi's final moments peaceful and it made our painful decision little more bearable. Thank you so much for working with us and helping our Miagi to a better place.

This was our gentle boy Tanner that we were fortunate to have for almost 16 years! We always have agreed to let our dogs go with dignity and and also believe this is a final gift of love. Annie came to our home and made this a gentle, quiet goodbye for our boy. What a compassionate professional person Annie is. This is not easy but you have to know in your heart when to let go. Tanner is buried near his pond where he loved to swim. Annie also provided us with a remembrance item. Thank you Annie xoxo

Dr. MALLARD was the most compassionate peaceful lady who helped my wonderful dog Leah cross to Rainbow Bridge. It was absolutely beautiful in my yard with afire going. Thank you for making this so beautiful. Would recommend 10 out of 10. Sincerely Robin T.

I don’t have the words to express the gratitude that I feel for Annie and the entire Stillwater team. Therefore I’ll just say, thank you so, so much for doing what you do.

Henley was my baby, we traveled “the world” (the states) together. We hiked, we swam, we went for boat rides, and we walked thousands and thousands of miles together. He was the worlds cutest mascot at all my club sports. We spent every day together for 8.5 years and he was taken from me far too soon (F cancer). He was my best friend and adventure buddy and my heart is shattered into a million pieces. Even though it will eventually mend, it will never be whole again.

The one thing that brings me peace is that Henley was able to be with me at home, in his favorite spot, instead of the one and only place in the entire world that he hated (the vet). That was possible because of Stillwater. Annie was incredibly sweet and even though it was worst day of my life, she stood out to me. The card I received after, from someone that only knew Henley a very short time, was so beautiful and personal. What a wonderful human being. I could never do your job, but I want you to know how thankful I am that people like you exist in this world. You make it infinitely better for the rest of us.