Client Service Agreement - Gentle Journey Veterinary Care

Effective Date: Upon Scheduling Services

Serviced By:

Gentle Journey Veterinary Care

Dr. Wynn Palmer, DVM

Dr. Michelle Palmer, DVM, CVA

Contact:

gentlejourneypet@gmail.com / 385-414-3878

1. Purpose of This Agreement

This Client Service Agreement outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and policies that guide the services provided by Gentle Journey Veterinary Care (“Gentle Journey,” “we,” “us,” “our”). By requesting or receiving our services, you (“Client,” “you,” “your”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms below. Our mission is to provide compassionate, respectful, and professional in-home end-of-life care for your beloved companion while ensuring clarity, safety, and comfort for both your family and your pet.

2. Scope of Services

Gentle Journey provides mobile veterinary services focused solely on comfort, palliative support, and end-of-life care, including but not limited to:

Pain management and comfort-focused treatments
Acupuncture
Laser therapy
Subcutaneous or IV fluids
Quality-of-life assessments
Hospice-style support
In-home euthanasia
Cremation coordination through Wasatch Family Pet Services
Delivery of ashes and remembrance items as requested

We do not provide general wellness, emergency stabilization, surgery, or routine/ongoing primary care.

3. Client Responsibilities

To ensure safe, peaceful, and effective care, clients agree to the following:

3.1 Accurate Information

You agree to provide honest, complete, and accurate information regarding your pet’s medical history, medications, behavior, and condition.

3.2 Safe Environment

You agree to ensure a safe environment for our veterinary team. This includes securing other pets, preventing access to hazards, and informing us of any behavior concerns (e.g., fear aggression, handling sensitivities).

3.3 Ability to Make Decisions

You affirm that you are the legal owner or authorized agent with full decision-making authority regarding your pet’s medical care and euthanasia.

3.4 Payment

To ensure a peaceful and uninterrupted experience during your appointment, payment is required in full prior to the scheduled visit. This allows families to remain fully present with their pet without the need to complete financial or administrative tasks during an emotional time.

Your appointment will be confirmed and your pet placed on our schedule once:

All required paperwork and consent forms have been completed
Aftercare decisions have been selected
Remembrance items (if desired) have been chosen
Payment has been received in full

We accept card, digital, and electronic payments through our secure payment processing system (Square or Venmo). If you have questions about pricing or payment options, we are happy to assist before your appointment is scheduled. Clients agree to all posted service fees, travel fees, cremation fees, and aftercare costs.

4. Euthanasia Consent

Euthanasia is performed only when, in the veterinarian’s professional judgment, it is appropriate, humane, and ethically justified. You acknowledge that:

You must provide informed consent before any euthanasia procedure.
The attending veterinarian may decline to perform euthanasia if they believe it is not humane or appropriate.
Sedation is always provided prior to euthanasia to ensure comfort and minimize stress.
Some involuntary bodily movements (deep breaths, small twitches) may occur and are normal physiological responses.

5. Cremation & Aftercare

All cremation and aftercare services are performed by Wasatch Family Pet Services. By selecting cremation or requesting remembrance items, you acknowledge:

Gentle Journey is not responsible for the remains once your pet has been transferred to Wasatch Family Pet Services.
Turnaround time for ashes or keepsakes is typically 3–4 weeks, though this may vary.
Families may choose private (ashes returned) or group (ashes not returned) cremation.
Any remembrance items (paw prints, fur clippings, urns) are prepared by Wasatch Family Pet Services.

6. Home-Visit Limitations

As a mobile service, we provide care within the limits of what can be safely and ethically performed in a home environment. You acknowledge that:

We do not provide emergency or hospitalization services.
We may recommend or refer you to a full-service veterinary clinic when needed.
Certain treatments may not be possible due to space, lighting, safety, or your pet’s medical condition.

7. Cancellation & Rescheduling

We understand that circumstances can change quickly. Clients agree to:

Provide notice as soon as possible if an appointment must be canceled or changed.
Understand that same-day cancellations may still incur a travel fee or partial service fee due to high demand and schedule limitations.

8. Liability

To the fullest extent allowed by Utah law:

Gentle Journey is not liable for injuries, property damage, emotional distress, or losses arising from your pet’s behavior or medical condition.
You accept all risk associated with in-home procedures, including possible reactions to sedation or medications.
You release Gentle Journey, its veterinarians, and staff from liability related to the natural progression of disease, euthanasia decisions, and aftercare handled by Wasatch Family Pet Services.

9. Privacy & Communication

Gentle Journey may collect client contact information (name, phone, address, email) solely for the purpose of scheduling, providing services, and communicating aftercare updates. We do not sell or share personal information with third parties except as required to facilitate cremation or legal requirements. Texting, emailing, or calling Gentle Journey constitutes consent for us to respond through the same communication method.