Rainbow Bridge Pet Services

Anthony had a very thoughtful way of leading a very difficult event and instilling confidence in his abilities while remaining in the background. It allowed my family’s emotions and words to remain in the forefront. I’m very grateful for that.

Dr. Smith is so helpful, very passionate and kind. We have used his services twice to assist in our pets passing and he makes this horrible event much easier for everyone. I can’t recommend his services highly enough.

Dr. Smith gave us something no one else could: peace of mind. Or dog had struggled for several months with cancer and at one point yesterday we just knew she was done living. Dr. Smith arranged to come to our home when it was convenient for us, and let us say goodbye to our 14 year old Lab in a gentle and humane way.
He was respectful, calm, and confident and explained the process to us clearly while letting us set the pace. Dr. Smith gently helped ease our girl into sleep and out of pain forever. We are eternally grateful and would highly recommend to anyone having to euthanize their beloved pet.

Dr. Smith made the worst day of my life bearable. I had to euthanize my 16 year old cat and it was very sudden. I didn’t even have a day’s notice. I needed to do it on a Friday night around 8:00. Before I heard about him I contacted two other places that would not come after 6:00pm. One even had the nerve to try to convince me to keep her alive until the next morning to accommodate their schedule!
Dr. Smith was so compassionate! From the first phone conversation to the minute he left with my baby. He was kind and gentle and I know it was painless for her. He even made a paw print in clay for me.
Hopefully I won’t need his services again for a long time. But in the event I do, I would call him in a minute!

I want to thank Dr. Smith for being so compassionate and providing the service that he does. Today he helped my beloved dog Shasta over the rainbow bridge. She was going on sixteen years old with a number of health issues and no longer able to get around. I found Dr. Smith through Unilocal since I knew I would soon need a vet for this part of Shasta’s care. My regular vet office does not give the sedation shot prior to the final shot and that does not work for me.
At this point I want to thank all of those Unilocal users that wrote a review for Dr. Smith you made this so much easier for me. I’ve read and reread all the reviews prior to «the appointment» and it helped me greatly.
For anyone reading these reviews that will need to help a furkid over the rainbow bridge please know Dr. Smith deserves all five of those stars.

Dr Smith deserves a rating of 50 stars but even that is not high enough. He has the highest degree of professionalism and compassion for both pets and their owners. He could make more money as a regular vet, I am sure, but I see in him an angel of mercy for choosing this path. We have used his services twice for two very loved pets and each time our pets were comfortable and held by us so we could comfort them. At no time did we feel forced or rushed but instead had all the time we needed. We still have sadness for the loss of our pets, but we know and feel that by choosing Dr Smith we made the best and right choice for them.

I want to thank Dr. Smith for allowing me and my partner to create an incredibly kind and gentle way of saying goodbye to our baby girl (13 year old lab). We were able to hold her in her bed while we said goodbye.

I don’t know where to begin talking about the excellence of Dr. Smith and the service that he provides for pets, but also for their humans. As a medical professional myself, I know how difficult these times can be, and just a few days ago, my wife and I had to put down our 15-​year-​old Labrador and de facto child, Josie. Throughout the process, as anyone who has been through it knows, we had several stops and starts. Sometimes it would seem as if our dog was a puppy and ready to play, and then later on it was obvious that she was in pain and unhappy. She had heart disease and cancer, and like most dogs, kept wanting to be with us and act like everything was OK. One of our lessons from this process is one which Dr. Smith is very helpful explaining, and that is the fact that we should not wait until the pet has «that look in their eyes» before deciding to do the right thing for them.
Just as it is for everybody else who is reading this, and/​or has written a review here, we had to call Dr. Smith repeatedly thinking that it was time, only to call him off again or ask for his advice about whether not it was the right timing. In all, we must’ve called him six or seven different times over the course of a week, making an appointment and then canceling it again, before we finally went through with the whole thing. Along the way, Dr. Smith had many opportunities to wait and get back to us hours later, or express in another frustration with our back-​and-​forth. Alas, none of those things actually happen. Instead, we got back to us through email and phone within the hour every single time, and with each call or email, he was appropriate and measured in his response. That went on through the whole process of having to put our dog to sleep. There’s no easy way to say it — this sucks. But if you have to do it, Dr. Smith is your man. Beyond the actual experience of putting a pet asleep, he is there for you before and after as a resource and a shoulder to cry on. I wish that I could truly express how excellent he is at doing a job I don’t imagine too many people could do well. But if you have to do this for your pet, Dr. Smith is the best way to go.
Much luck and love to anybody going through this. And apologies if this review reads poorly — I am dictating into my iPad.

Dr. Anthony Smith of Rainbow Bridge came to our home on Friday to gently help Amber leave this world free of pain. Eight months earlier Dr. Smith was here to help Ana make her final journey. I feel such gratitude for Dr. Smith’s kindness and tender care. Having to make the decision to end my cats life has never gotten easier but I feel better knowing that Dr. Smith will make the transition easier. I feel like I gave my cats a final gift by having Dr. Smith end their lives peacefully. Dr. Smith’s thoughtfulness about this procedure was a gift for myself that helps heal my sadness.

If you’re reading this review, then you’re undoubtedly trying to make a very hard decision. Let me start off by saying that this is the first review I’ve ever written a review of any kind and I’m doing so because Dr. Smith is as good as it gets. We made the difficult decision to let go of our 14 year old lab. With no experience in end of life situations, we weren’t sure where to turn, but as soon as I talked to Dr. Smith on the phone I knew he was the one I wanted in our home for the final moments.
He was gentle, compassionate, and respectful from the moment he entered our house. He was wonderful with my 20 yo son (it was his dog,) talked us through every step of the process and gave us the time we needed to say our goodbyes at each step. He knew exactly when to talk and when to remain quiet and was there for us as much as he was there for our dog. Her passing was very peaceful and everything we’d hoped for under the circumstances.
Dr. Smith is a very special vet to do this service day in and day out, and in my opinion, he has mastered making a very difficult situation as comfortable as possible.

The service Doctor Smith provides is one of compassion and kindness not commonly found in most people. A year later tears are still being shed over the loss of our pup, but the memory of him passing in our arms surrounded by love is a gift i’ve never had with any pet before, and is one i cherish. Thank you for this.

Our handsome, playful, smart blond boy, Mr B’s started a sudden, steep decline a few weeks ago and it became obvious he would not pull through. We wanted him to be at home where he had all his favorite things when it was time to end his suffering but our vets no longer come to the house as they once did. They were kind enough to give us the names of several vets who do euthanasia at home and after checking them all out, we set up an appointment with Dr Anthony Smith. It was the best decision we could imagine making at what is such a difficult time. Anthony is the kindest man! He is compassionate and empathetic. He spent time listening to our stories of how Mr B’s came into our lives as a stray 4 years ago and shared his own stories as well which created an incredible bond. Such a bond is critical at times like these and I know there is no way we could have gotten through this without it, or him! I am grateful to the bottom of my heart that he has been called to provide such tender, loving service to families with dying pets. Thank you, Dr Smith. You are a gift!

We had to make the decision no pet owner wants to make, especially when your dog is only 5 years old. Our black Lab, Newt, had spent 6 weeks very ill from an unknown bacterial infection that eventually destroyed her heart’s functioning. After 3 surgeries, and a hellish week at UC Davis (where she was subjected to horrific procedures we did not request) we brought her home… to die. And end the pain. For those who struggle with «to treat or not to treat» I can tell you after this experience that often the kindest thing to do is to let them go. In peace, and love. At home. And that’s where Anthony came in and Rainbow Bridge. He was kind, quiet and respectful. I could not ask for a better situation and experience for my darling Newt. Thank you, Anthony for your caring and compassion. I will be eternally grateful.

Thank goodness for Dr. Smith. Our beloved dog Loki was nearing the end of his life after a gallant year-​long battle with osteosarcoma. One morning he took a turn for the worse and we knew it was time. Dr. Smith came within 2 hours to assist us with Loki’s journey. He was very respectful and kind. Our family appreciates everything he did for us. Loki came into our lives a story, he left as a legend.

I found the need to write a review even though my heart still aches, and the tears continue to stream down my face. Yesterday was one of the toughest days of my life, there is nothing worse than having to make a decision to put your dog to rest. I will forever be grateful that Dr. Smith displayed his confidence though kindness & patience, and allowed us time to support our dog through the process of helping him make the transition of releasing him from his weak body. Our 17yr old dog declined this last year, mentally and physically. He never stopped eating though, which made the decision even harder. He was incontinent the majority of time, we carried him up & down stairs, and because he was blind, he would get struck in corners or under chairs and have a difficult time getting out. He also barked day and night, and I couldn’t figure out what he wanted, we’d think he has to go the bathroom, so we’d take him outside, and then he would just sit there, we’d bring him back into the house and then he’d proceed to pee in his bed. My heart was breaking, and I was also losing my patience. I loved this dog for 12 years, rescued him in 2003. Realizing this was not the dog who loved life, loved herding other dogs, loved running to greet us when ever we arrived home, I had to make a decision. Thank you again Dr. Smith for allowing me time to wavier and reschedule twice, thank you for giving us space to allow us to sit with our dog as we said goodbye, and thank you for offering the wonderful service of allowing your pet to be in their comfortable surroundings, in their own bed, in the home they loved.

When my wife and I realized there were no more options for our beloved dog Meeka, who was suffering from bone cancer, we asked a friend of ours for advice. It was very important to us that Meeka spend her final moments at home, surrounded by love and free from fear. Our friend referred us to Dr. Smith, and words can’t express how grateful we are.
If you’ve ever had to put down a pet, you know what a hard decision it is to make, even when it’s clear you’ve done everything you can. Dr. Smith understands this better than anyone, and goes about his work with the utmost compassion. The tenderness and care with which he handled our pet put her immediately at ease – almost as if they’d known each other for years. Her passing was seamless and peaceful, exactly what we’d hoped for. Following the procedure, he gave us as much time as we needed alone with Meeka so we could say our goodbyes. He then transported her body to Bubbling Well Pet Memorial (another wonderful group). While Meeka’s loss was one of the most difficult things we’ve had to endure, we can’t imagine how much tougher it would have been without Dr. Smith. He’s there just as much for us as he is for our pets.
As another reviewer mentioned, it takes a very special person to do the kind of work Dr. Smith does. Indeed, Dr. Smith is very special, exuding an aura of love and warmth. He cares about each and every one of the animals he assists. He even sent us a sweet note of remembrance on the anniversary of Meeka’s death.
If you find yourself having to confront the end of your own beloved pet’s life, you’d be giving the both of you an immense gift by engaging the services of Dr. Smith. There truly is a Rainbow Bridge – no pain, no fear, just peace.

Dr. Smith is incredible. He facilitated a beautiful exit for my beloved dog. Dr. Smith was so kind and patient with me, giving me total freedom to do whatever I needed to. He has a calm and grounding presence. I will absolutely call him again should I be in this situation with another pet. I can’t recommend him enough. This is the way to go if you must make this sad decision.
It isn’t cheap but well worth it. I’ve never felt this grateful when writing a check. Truly.

I agree wholeheartedly with the other five-​star reviews here, and thank Dr. Smith for making one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make one of the best ones, too.
Unilocal reviewer Dave W (below) recommended Dr. Smith to me about a year ago, when my dog was beginning to show advancing signs of his illness. I knew upon first contact with Dr. Smith that he very deeply (and apparently personally, not just professionally) understood the complicated nature «making the call» to end a pet’s life. He was patient, kind, and compassionate from the start.
Dr. Smith was so accommodating and present throughout the procedure, and in the days that led up to it, including a week of «hospice» care and pain management. He’s intuitive and insightful without being directive, and brought ease to a very emotionally painful process. As my dog Yum Yum had been suffering with cancer, I so appreciated the space Dr. Smith gave me to sit with Yum Yum with him under sedation for a few minutes, watching him breathe easily and peacefully for the first time in days, before completing the procedure. The very moment I had dreaded and feared turned out to be peaceful and healing.
Like so many people I talk to, I had powerful hopes that my dog would pass naturally, but that didn’t happen. Dr. Smith understood this, and respected my need to explore this hope in the last couple weeks of my dog’s life. I would, without question, call Dr Smith again.

Dr. Smith came to our home to help our very dear kitty Rowan transition. Rowan was once a feral cat so home euthanasia was a perfect option for him. Dr. Smith had such a peaceful and calming demeanor, making a very difficult day a bit easier. He was very professional; the procedure and associated tasks went very smoothly. We felt very well cared for on such a sad day. He brought a paw print kit, which was so special as we have just had a baby who will not remember meeting Rowan. Dr. Smith allowed us to give our friend the humane end he deserved in the comfort of his own bed. What a gift. I highly recommended his services.

Dr. Smith is a very patient and compassionate practitioner. He was only in our home for about 30 to 40 minutes but he helped tremendously and I’m sure he would’ve been willing to stay longer if we needed him. He seems to really sympathize with the pain of having to say goodbye to your faithful friend. At the conclusion of the procedure I think I noticed tears in his eyes. I was a little surprised by that because I would assume after having done these three or four times per day that he would grow a bit callous to it all but that’s not the case with him.
We were very appreciative of having Dr. Smith help us help our dog Hedy pass peacefully.