In-home pet euthanasia for your beloved dogs & cats in Fresno, CA

Dr. Karen Whala has always had a soft spot for the older pets she’s treated in practice and saw a need for these beloved pets to pass peacefully at home rather than in a clinic setting. To that end, she started Peaceful Passing in 2018 to help families assist their terminally ill, injured, or suffering pets as they transitioned from life in the Fresno and Clovis areas. She finds that pets are so much more relaxed and peaceful when they pass at home, and it is truly a gift owners give their furry friends. Dr. Whala grew up in the Eastern foothills of Fresno County in the small towns of Dunlap and Miramonte. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science and Management at UC Davis. During her youth, she operated a children’s petting zoo and traveled to schools, birthday parties, and library functions educating children on animal care. Her animals included everything from iguanas and ducklings to lambs and frogs, and it was during these formative pet-owning years that she decided to become a veterinarian. In 2006, Dr. Whala graduated with her veterinary degree from UC Davis. She began practicing at a local area mixed animal practice and worked with dairy cattle, horses, dogs, and cats and later transitioned to small animals exclusively. She took a few years break from private practice, during which she earned a Masters in Public Health and Board Certification in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. When Dr. Whala returned to private practice, it was to start Peaceful Passing. Dr. Whala lives in Fresno and keeps busy working at a local clinic part-time, helping families assist in the peaceful passing of their pets, volunteering with Pathfinders (a boys and girls club), backpacking, and hosting friends in her home. ‍

Dr. Gary graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After graduation, he moved west. Dr. Gary spent a year at a mixed animal practice in Oregon before moving to Fresno where he worked at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic from 2011-2021. Dr. Gary grew up constantly learning and finding ways to help others. He loved everything animal related, whether it was watching wildlife or visiting pet stores. His parents allowed him to have a variety of pets growing up from hamsters, fish, and parakeets to iguanas... as long as they did not need live food. Dr. Gary believes precious memories with your pet should never be overshadowed by a stressful goodbye. He has firsthand experience with the stress of saying goodbye to his first dog Willy at the clinic, and since then being able to say goodbye to two other dogs at home. This is why a peaceful passing at home is so important to him. In his free time, Dr. Gary enjoys family time working around his small hobby farm, watching sports, and hiking around the Sierras.

Dr. Bethany graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After graduation, she moved west. Dr. Bethany spent a year at a small animal exclusive practice in Washington state, where she was first introduced to in-home euthanasia. She gravitated towards helping pet parents and their pets in their last moments when it seemed other doctors did not find an interest. Growing up, Bethany had many childhood pets and occasionally tended to injured wildlife. The ability to calm and comfort animals seemed to come naturally to her. Dr. Bethany believes a peaceful passing is the last gift we give our pets and that it’s a gift best given at home. In her spare time, Dr. Bethany enjoys reading and running, although her favorite time is spent together with her husband and their young children.

Dr. Orth developed a love of animals and science at a young age and knew that veterinary medicine was the perfect career choice. She obtained her bachelor's degree at the University of California, Davis. While there, she stayed busy volunteering at local veterinary clinics, working with a parrot outreach group, and participating in research at a feline nutrition center. During this time, she also enjoyed tutoring undergraduate students and substitute teaching for K-12. After some post-graduate education, Washington State became her home, and she soon obtained her Veterinary degree from Washington State University. She has worked in Fresno since graduation in both a day practice and an emergency setting. While she loved healthy puppy, kitten, and even reptile visits, she soon realized that sometimes a vet's job also necessitates relieving suffering and helping pets to pass peacefully. To be able to further experience and support the bond between humans and their pets has been an honor that she is truly grateful for. Dr. Orth believes that euthanasia in our pet’s homes is a peaceful, loving, and more comfortable way to help them pass, surrounded by the people they love. Family is so important and our pets make up such a special role in our lives. Her husband and she have 3 children, and a household full of fuzzies, fins, fangs, and feathers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, jogging, and catching up on great television series.

Dr. Sarah Clem was born and raised in the Clovis/Fresno area and is a local gal at heart. She graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, after which she completed an Internship at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. Following that, she began working at a local vet clinic where she is currently employed and has been working with local pets for the last 17 years. Dr. Sarah values not only the time spent with the furry members of pet families but just as much, those who provide their love and care. She has recognized over her years in private practice just how important not only the first day we have with our pets is, but also the last. She desires to help make the goodbyes as comfortable and peaceful as possible.

Dr. Jenny Tovar has been caring for animals for as long as she can remember. Starting young with her family's many pets, and further with her involvement in 4-H through her teen years. In 2007 she graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Integrative Biology and went on to receive her veterinary degree in 2013 from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine. She has practiced in small animal clinical settings throughout California since 2013, and locally since moving to Fresno in 2018. As a veterinarian Dr. Tovar is passionate about alleviating suffering and believes that although saying goodbye to our furry companions is one of the hardest acts a pet parent goes through, it is also one of the greatest gifts we can give to our pets. During her first year out of vet school, Dr. Tovar worked in a busy practice that awarded her the opportunity to provide in-home hospice care and euthanasia. She found these house calls very rewarding, knowing that the animal had passed peacefully in the comfort of their home, surrounded by their loved ones. Dr. Tovar lives in Fresno with her husband, dog, cat, and young son. She continues to work part-time at a local small animal hospital and enjoys gardening, hiking, and time with her family on her days off.