CAPE MAY — Saying goodbye to a beloved family pet is an incredibly difficult choice for many.
To help guide the overwhelming decision, in-home euthanasia is an option for those wishing for a more intimate goodbye or those with pets that have difficulty traveling.
Licensed veterinarian Dr. Ben Litwack offers deep care and compassion to pet owners making the final choice for their pets. Through CodaPet, he services Cape May, Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Salem and Camden counties.
“Euthanasia is as important as shots and spays/neuters,” Litwack said. “In this particular practice, while our relationships are shorter than in general practice, to communicate and build a level of trust is immediate.”
Litwack answers the phone 24/7, and although he predominantly treats dogs and cats, he will care for any animal people love and consider family (other than horses).
“In general practice, you try to do everything as well as you can. In this specialty practice, we’re doing this as well as it can be done, and there’s satisfaction in parting ways with a pet knowing you can’t do it better.”
In-home euthanasia
Pets leave a lasting impression on the lives of their owners and are often considered family members. Euthanasia is an option to allow pets to pass peacefully, surrounded by love and care.
When it comes to saying goodbye, Litwack said there are several reasons for considering an in-home euthanasia, including a less-stressful experience.
“The home euthanasia protocols are designed to be slow and gentle,” he said, adding that the setting is also more calming.
Additionally, veterinary hospitals may schedule only 10 to 20 minutes, which might not be enough time for those who wish for a longer goodbye.
In-home euthanasia also avoids a stressful drive for pets, especially in situations in which it is physically impossible to transport an animal. Litwack said pets’ blood pressure and blood glucose is known to be higher in the hospital, but the spike in numbers does not happen at home.
“In the same way that a veterinary hospital is the right place for a spay/neuter, the home can be the right place for euthanasia for those so inclined,” Litwack said.
Becoming a veterinarian
Litwack finds it incredibly rewarding to help both people and their pets. He grew up in the agricultural community of Stow Creek, where he said all his best friends as a child were animals.
“When I was a teenager, I started rescuing dropped-off dogs and helped one of my neighbors that was feeding a feral cat colony,” Litwack said. “In high school, I shadowed my local veterinarian for a while.”
Veterinary medicine is stereotyped as a difficult career, with a grueling, competitive education and often demanding job requirements. Despite being encouraged to pursue an alternative career path, Litwack decided to become a veterinarian and attended Virginia Tech’s Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. It was there he met his wife, who was also in the veterinary school program.
Litwack began practicing veterinary medicine in West Virginia right out of school, with in-home euthanasia always among the services he offered.
When the need to return home to care for his parents became imperative, Litwack returned to New Jersey and continued working in general veterinary practices.
He lives in Hopewell Township with his wife and their three children, ages 6 months, 3 years and 5 years.
“The thing about being married to another veterinarian is it’s hard to have an exact number [of your pets],” Litwack said, adding he has several dogs and cats, an unknown number of chickens, peacocks, guinea hens and Henry, who is a 21-year-old 50-pound tortoise and the star of the show.
His home has now become a miniature farm of sorts, with Litwack adding that during the COVID-19 pandemic when a petting zoo shut down, his family took on Desdemona the goat, Charlie the sheep and a mini cow named Gaston.
“It’s very much what we wanted,” Litwack said, adding that they also have four horses, including a miniature pony that his kids can ride.
To unwind from his day, Litwack said he focuses on activities unrelated to his job. There is always something to do on a farm. Once a week, Litwack and his wife spend quality time together riding their horses.
“Compassion has always been my strong suit and I think people are surprised and touched by the degree of care we take,” Litwack said. “I want people to know they have someone who cares, who picks up the phone.”
For more information, visit https://www.codapet.com/veterinarians/dr-benjamin-litwack. Dr. Litwack can be reached at (609) 364-2727.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave