Dr. Simonne Stewart, BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine)
From my earliest childhood memories, my life has been intertwined with a deep love for animals. My bond with my fluffy and feathered friends inspired me to dedicate my life to their care, leading me to become a Veterinary Surgeon.
I graduated with first-class honours in Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland in 1996. In 2005, I earned a prestigious Membership in Small Animal Medicine by examination from the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, a testament to my commitment to advanced veterinary care.
Over the past 28 years, I’ve gained extensive experience across large emergency hospitals, specialist clinics, general practices, and small rural settings in various countries. My veterinary journey has taken me from volunteering in Africa and the Indian Himalayas, to working with indigenous communities in Australia. I’m also passionate about teaching and have held clinical veterinary teaching roles at the University of Queensland Veterinary School.
In 2007, I returned to the Sunshine Coast to raise my family. For the past 16 years, I have worked in many local Sunshine Coast veterinary practices and local veterinary emergency hospitals so I may of worked or know your regular vet or I may have even met you already!
At home, I am a proud mother of three wonderful children who share my passion for animals. Our family includes our cheeky cavoodle, Winston, and a rotating menagerie of birds, fish, bearded dragons and other pets.
Having faced the profound grief of losing many beloved pets, and also supporting my own children through this loss, I understand the indescribable deep bond we share with our animals, the heart wrenching end-of-life decision and the painful gravity of that loss.
Why I am a Euthanasia Vet?
Why I am a Euthanasia Vet? Many people ask why I provide a service that is connected with so much sadness and grief. This decision has been a journey for me.
As a Veterinary surgeon of many decades, I have supported many families through the palliative process, end-of-life decisions, euthanasia, and the grief process. A veterinary hospital needs to be a sterile clinical environment for many obvious and important reasons. Despite my best attempts to soften this environment for a euthanasia it still felt clinical, process driven, impersonal and rushed. Some clinics try to offer home euthanasia appointments but a GP vet clinic can struggle to spare an experienced Vet (or a Vet and supporting nurse) at short notice for a lengthy appointment. A GP clinic can sometimes struggle at times to even squeeze in a clinic appointment with short notice and a euthanasia should be calm and peaceful without any sense of rushing.
During Covid restrictions, when no clients could enter the clinic I took the euthanasia appointments outside in the garden so the whole family could be present. My beautiful nurses watched from a distance witnessing my tender manner during these euthanasias. My nurses also noted how I modified my medication protocol to be personalised for each pet and their condition so it was always a gentle passing. I felt a growing awareness of the need to offer a dignified kind farewell, free from pain, fear, and suffering. And I felt a deep need for families to be supported and not rushed through this terribly difficult time. Driven by this realisation, and with the strong encouragement and support of my nursing staff who chose the name ‘The Gentle Farewell’ I started my own at home pet euthanasia service.
Now, I am available to walk with families through this whole journey. From the first phone call when they have been given a devastating diagnosis or when they can see their loved pets decline, to the heart-wrenching end of life decision, to tailoring a personal plan, the at home pet euthanasia process, the aftercare, and the grief process. Many families have expressed how different my service is from their previous experiences, how relieved they feel with how it went, how peaceful the process was, and how accurately the name ‘The Gentle Farewell’ describes their pets’ passing. This feels like my calling.
I have supported many Sunshine Coast families through this journey. Every journey is unique, and I am here to support you through yours.
