The End-of-Life Journey With Our Beloved Animals – Session 2
The End-of-Life Journey with our Beloved Animals: From Diagnosis to Life After Loss; A Three-Program Series
The NYS Bar Association’s Committee on Animals and the Law presents a three-part symposium exploring the emotional, practical, ethical, and legal complexities of end-of-life care for beloved companion animals and equines. Whether attended as a series or individually, each session offers compassionate guidance for navigating end-of-life decisions, supporting grief and healing, and understanding the legal responsibilities that accompany an animal’s final stage of life.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Session 2: Losing a Beloved Animal: Navigating the Spectrum of Grief and Bereavement
(This session does not offer MCLE credit.)
This 1.5-hour program explores decision-making without guilt, navigating emotional and logistical challenges, and recognizing the many forms of grief that humans experience. Presenters will share tools for assessing the companion's quality of life, understanding anticipatory and disenfranchised grief, and supporting well-being during and after loss. The session will address compassion fatigue within the veterinary field and offer insights into end-of-life decisions and care for equine companions. Participants will learn approaches for after-death care, emotional recovery, and living with loss while honoring the lasting bonds shared with beloved animals.
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This Three-Program Series includes:
Session 1: End-of-Life Decisions & Ethical Considerations for an Ailing Animal
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (This session does not offer MCLE credit.)
Session 2: Losing a Beloved Animal: Navigating the Spectrum of Grief and Bereavement
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (This session does not offer MCLE credit.)
Session 3: Legal Considerations for End-of-Life Decisions Concerning our Animals
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (This session offers 1.0 MCLE credit in Areas of Professional Practice.)
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- February 11, 2026
- 2:00 PM
- 3:30 PM
- 0.0
- Virtual Participation
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Session 2: Losing a Beloved Animal: Navigating the Spectrum of Grief and Bereavement
(This session does not offer MCLE credit.)
2:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
This 1.5-hour program explores decision-making without guilt, navigating emotional and logistical challenges, and recognizing the many forms of grief that humans experience. Presenters will share tools for assessing the companion's quality of life, understanding anticipatory and disenfranchised grief, and supporting well-being during and after loss. The session will address compassion fatigue within the veterinary field and offer insights into end-of-life decisions and care for equine companions. Participants will learn approaches for after-death care, emotional recovery, and living with loss while honoring the lasting bonds shared with beloved animals.
Moderator:
Susan P. Witkin, Esq.
Law Offices of Susan P. Witkin, PLLC
New York, NY
Program Introduction – The Road to this Symposium
Speaker:
Jim D. Sarlis, Esq.
Garden City, NY
Part 1 – Decisions Without Guilt
Speaker:
Michelle Nichols, MS, CGRS
Co-Founder, Animal Hospice Group
Founder, the Animal Hospice, End of Life, and Palliative Care Project (AHELP Project)
Hillsboro, OR
Part 2 – Easing the Process with In-Home Euthanasia
Speaker:
Dr. Carlin Jones, VMD
Shaker Animal Hospital
Latham, NY
Part 3 – Grief, Compassion Fatigue and Empathy Fatigue in the Veterinary Profession – NOMV (Not One More Vet)
Speaker:
Dr. Carlin Jones, VMD
Shaker Animal Hospital
Latham, NY
Part 4 – Return to Well-Being – Living with Loss
Speaker:
Jim D. Sarlis, Esq.
Garden City, NY
Part 5 – Uniquely Equine: End of Life Decisions with a Beloved Horse Companion
Speaker:
Dr. Carlin Jones, VMD
Shaker Animal Hospital
Latham, NY
3:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Q&A
- Susan P. Witkin, Esq., The Law Offices of Susan P. Witkin,PLLC
- Jim D. Sarlis, Esq., Law Office of Jim D. Sarlis
- Michelle Nichols, MS, CGRS, Animal Hospice, End of Life, and Palliative Care Project (AHELP Project)
- Dr. Carlin Jones, VMD, Shaker Animal Hospital
- Webinar
- MISCFEB1126
- Committee on Animals and the Law
- Committee on Attorney Well-Being
- Committee on Continuing Legal Education
