Hospice Is a Calling

Jessi Hurd, LVT, CHPT

Jessi has been a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) for just over a decade. She has lived most of her life in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan and she wouldn't want to call any other place "Home"! She has lived in many other places due to her husband's 20-year military career in the United States Coast Guard. Those moves gave her opportunities she wouldn't otherwise have had including getting involved with animal hospice and palliative care.

About 4 or 5 years into her career she found herself gravitating toward older pets. She wanted to know how she could help ease their discomfort and how she could make things easier for them and their human families. She researched as many things as she could without knowing what she was interested in was animal hospice. 

In 2015, she discovered the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) certification program. In 2016 she entered the 16-month long program. It was a long road of assignments, case studies, site visits and travel to conferences in Seattle and Tempe on top of working part-time to full-time and intermittently being a single mom while her husband was deployed. There was even a move toward the end of the program as well. She completed the program and "graduated" at the IAAHPC Conference in Tempe, Arizona in October 2018 and became a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Technician (CHPT). She is the first veterinary professional to be certified in animal hospice and palliative care in the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan and at this time, she is 1 of only 14 veterinary technicians in the world to be certified in animal hospice and palliative care. 

She resides in Negaunee with her husband and daughter and they share their home with 2 cats, Fiona (12 yrs old) and Zoey (15 yrs old), 1 dog, Molly (10 yrs old) and 1 bearded dragon, Phoebe (5 yrs old). 

Certifications, Achievements, Associations & Memberships

Put Your Trust in Me

Active Member of the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT)

Since 2007

Jessi stays current on all issues and changes within the state of Michigan in regards to items such as regulation changes to licensed veterinary technicians in the state, continuing education requirements and new or changed laws regarding veterinary medicine.

Active Member of the National Association for Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)

Since 2007

This membership helps Jessi stay current on all issues and changes nationally  in regards to items such as regulation changes to licensed veterinary technicians and continuing education requirements.

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

October 2008

Passed state and national board exams to become an LVT after obtaining an Associate Degree in Applied Science Degree in the program of Veterinary Technology.

Active Member of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC)

Since 2016

The IAAHPC promotes comfort care that addresses the physical, psychological, and social needs of animals with chronic and/or life-limiting diseases. We promote physical, emotional, and spiritual support for caregivers. We also educate professionals and advance research in the field of animal hospice and palliative care.

Fear Free Certified

Since 2017

Being a Fear Free Certified Professional means Jessi does everything she possibly can to minimize a pet's fear, anxiety and stress during all visits with your pets. For many pets, at-home care is much less scary and much less stressful than going into the veterinary clinic.

IAAHPC Business Circles

Since 2017

Business Circle groups give IAAHPC members the opportunity to meet online in small groups once a month to discuss many facets of managing a mobile, end-of-life business.  Business Circles originated from a desire to bring IAAHPC members together more frequently than just the annual conference to discuss business issues.
Business Circles offers a place to ask each other questions and make new connections with colleagues throughout the year.

Became Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Technician (CHPT)

October 2018

The Animal Hopsice & Palliative Care (AHPC) Certification Program standardizes and defines the skills and knowledge required of individuals and organizations offering animal hospice and palliative care, and establishes a standard of care for these services that will reflect a level of excellence achieved by those individuals who have obtained certification.

Animal Hospice in the U.P.

January 2019

Jessi opened her doors and started Compassionate Pet Care of the Upper Peninsula to bring senior pet care, palliative care and hospice to our community.

Michigan Veterinary Conference Speaker

January 2020

Jessi spoke on veterinary hospice topics of: Introduction to Animal Hospice & Palliative Care for the Veterinary Technician and Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing for the Veterinary Technician.

Member of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)

March 2020

The APLB is a nonprofit association of concerned volunteers who are experienced and knowledgeable in the tender subject of pet death. They provide countless resources for pet families and pet loss professionals including Pet Loss & Bereavement Counselor Training.

Human Animal Bond Certification

In Process- Not Yet Completed

The NAVC Human-Animal Bond Certification prepares veterinarians and animal care staff to meet the bonding needs of both pets and their owners. The program delivers a thorough evaluation of the science, communication, community engagement, animal welfare and wellness, and medical care needed to create and maintain a positive human-animal bond.