About Us
Learn about People & Pets and how we connect you to your clients
About People & Pets
People & Pets work hand-in-hand with veterinary practices nationwide to provide pet loss information and resources, so that practice staff can effectively support their clients when they need it most. Our services include professional sympathy cards, counselling referrals, and expert advice on pet loss for practices of all sizes and shapes.
About Dr O’Donoghue
People & Pets founder Dr Michael O’Donoghue is a veterinarian with over 25 years experience.
After graduating from the University of Queensland in 1992, Michael worked mainly in small animal practices in the United Kingdom and back home in Australia, developing a keen interest in the human-animal bond. It wasn’t until a visit to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in California that Michael became aware of just how powerful that bond really was.
Working with UC Davis researcher and pet loss expert Dr Bonnie Mader, Michael studied the emotional impact taken on those who have lost a pet and found that the toll can often be significant and long-lasting. This inspired Michael to start People and Pets with his colleague Penny Carroll in 2006 to actively help ease the pain of pet loss.
Michael has spoken as an authority on pet loss for ABC Radio, Seven’s Weekend Sunrise program and in the pages of the Sydney Morning Herald. In 2017, Michael was awarded the Meritorious Award by the Australian Veterinary Association for his pet loss work and advocacy in the area of pet loss.
Shop Pet Sympathy Cards
Shop a variety of pet sympathy cards to assist your clients through loss and grief.
“I remember back to December 20th 2008 when I had to have my beautiful 13 yr old Golden Retriever baby girl put to sleep – receiving that lovely gift from someone would have meant the world to me! It acknowledges that someone knows exactly how much that gorgeous dog meant to you.”