Fond Farewell | Meet Dr. Jeni Goedken | In Home Euthanasia Services in San Jose and Surrounding Areas |

Our Purpose

When my sweet cat Bogie started his decline years later, I thought of Yoda and summoned up the strength to learn from my past mistake. I made the decision to euthanize Bogie on a relatively “good day” before he could start the painful downward spiral of catastrophic heart failure I knew was on the horizon. Bogie drifted away on my husband’s lap eating as many treats as he wanted while I showered him with love and gratitude. I made sure he was comfortable and at peace before his final breath, in the place where he belonged.

That train came for me and my handsome orange tabby, Yoda, in 2009. As I held him in my arms at 2 am in the ER exam room, he had a seizure and fell onto the floor. Looking back, I realized that I had waited too long into his illness to give him a peaceful and dignified passing. I was waiting to feel ready, waiting for a miracle, and waiting for the denial to pass. At the end of all of that waiting, I was left with a traumatic final memory of letting him down and a tragic and impersonal ending to his story that I will never be able to rewrite.

Dr jeni

Meet Dr. Jeni

Growing up in the Chicago suburbs as the daughter of a nurse and veterinarian, my desire to practice compassionate medicine was born at an early age. I entered clinical medicine upon graduation from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. After a few years, I came to a humbling realization; It doesn’t matter how many tests I run, how much money clients spend, or how deeply those people adore their pets. I was going to lose every patient, and at some point, I couldn’t stop that train from coming.

Our Inspiration

That beautiful summer evening in my backyard changed the way I practiced and approached veterinary medicine forever. The experiences of Yoda and Bogie’s final moments and the memories of those nights I carry with me for the rest of my life are the reason why I am committed to guiding people through their beloved pets’ final moments.

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Outside of end-of-life veterinary care, you can find me exploring the Bay Area and laughing with my husband, twin boys, and (of course) my pets. I also have the privilege of serving as a medical consultant to the Veterinary Medical Board of California. I have a deep passion for community service, and enjoy volunteering with many local organizations. For a more detailed look into my background, feel free to visit my Linked In page here.