We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Tina Olivieri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Tina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I value so many facets within the veterinary medical field, and I realized early on in my career that working for myself would allow me a bit more flexibility to explore my interests. Both within veterinary medicine and outside of it. After working in several veterinary hospitals after graduation, I realized that the fast pace and long hours were not allowing me to practice medicine the way that I wanted to. That being said, I have so much respect for my colleagues who do work in hospitals. Their dedication is invaluable to us, as pet parents. But I needed a space where I could take my time, be as thorough as I wanted to be, and get to know my patients and families on a more personal level than I felt I had been able to, up to that point. I never looked at veterinary medicine as just about the incredible animals I have the honor of meeting every day. It’s so much more than that, to me. It’s about the animals AND their loving and compassionate families. After all, our fur babies are just that, our babies. And who wouldn’t want to spend more time getting to experience that kind of connection, first hand?
After I decided to leave the hospital setting, a colleague reached out to tell me about mobile veterinary practice, and in particular, in-home hospice and end-of-life care for animals. My first thought was, “oh my goodness, that would be so difficult on my heart, I don’t think I could handle it!” but I decided, with the encouragement of my family and friends, to explore it. And after my first appointment, I knew that it was exactly what I was born to do. I felt the strongest sense of clarity and purpose that I had ever felt in my entire life. Somehow, some way, I had found my calling. And that is what led me to start my own business as a mobile, in-home, end-of-life care, veterinarian.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a mobile veterinarian, currently practicing in-home, end-of-life care for precious fur babies in Los Angeles County and surrounding cities. My company is called Furever With Me, and for nearly a decade, it has been my life’s purpose to help ensure that a pet’s final moments are at home and filled with absolute comfort, dignity, and love. I do my very best to guide my families through such a devastating time with the utmost sensitivity, understanding, and support. I consider it my duty to help my families see how incredibly compassionate they are to ensure their beloved pet’s final moments are peaceful and dignified. That level of devotion and love is so beautiful to witness every day, and it continues to inspire me in my work and in my personal life.

In fact, in 2019, I became a Certified Pet Loss and Bereavement Specialist to begin offering my families ongoing support, they all deserve, should they need it. I have learned along my end-of-life care journey, that losing a pet is so different for each person, and it can even be, and often is, a life changing experience. It isn’t always something that our close friends and family can talk about, and it can be a very hard experience to make sense of, before, during, and after. And now pet parents don’t have to navigate such a significant loss alone. By offering continued bereavement support, either one on one, or in my online support group, I am able to help support families all over the country. And help bring relief and understanding to such a painful time.

Most people I meet ask me how it’s even possible that I can do my job every day, and my answer to that is always, “I have no idea”. The only thing I know for certain is that helping an irreplaceable fur baby say farewell in the comfort of their own home, while freeing them from any discomfort or pain, fills me with profound purpose. It is a heartbreaking, yet heartfelt tribute to each pet’s unforgettable legacy, and it’s an honor to be a part of it. It is the most difficult calling I could have asked for, but it’s also the most meaningful. I knock at the door as a complete stranger, and I leave as a part of a loving family.

The following testimonial is from an incredibly compassionate family I had the privilege of helping recently. It’s feedback like this that gives me strength, courage, and support to keep helping precious fur babies and their wonderful families. This means the world to me, Anna. Thank you.

“Death can be beautiful, if done in the right way, and she made my old pup’s passing beautiful, painless, and felt like she was part of the family.”
~ Anna S.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is an exciting place to visit, with lots to do! I would definitely spend a day on the West Side. Venice is great for riding bikes, roller skating, meeting people, and enjoying the vibrant flavors of the Thai Vegan restaurant on Main Street in Santa Monica. Then we could drive up the PCH to Malibu and take in the breathtaking views. I love to pull over and sit by the ocean to watch the surfers working their magic at Surfrider Beach.

We’d also have to go on a one-of-a-kind shopping experience during their visit, and what better place is there than the Melrose Trading Post on Fairfax and Melrose Ave? MTP, and all its unique treasures, also happens to be right by the LA County Museum of Art. And at LACMA, we can enjoy any one of their exceptional exhibits!! Speaking of museums, I would also spend AT LEAST a day in the LA Natural History Museum. I love learning new things about animals and history, and there’s NO better place for both!!

LA is great for outdoor exercising as well, and a brisk walk around the Silver Lake Reservoir will get our blood pumping and also give us the chance to see the cutest collection of rescue pups one could ever imagine! And if my friend wants to UP our exercise game (while seeing what celebrities we could find) I’d take them to Runyon Canyon! Not only are there even more pooches to peruse, but a friend of mine once saw Justin Bieber there (for real). After getting such a great workout in, it only makes sense to go straight to Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose Ave. With so many vegan options, we’ll definitely be eating there more than once!

Truthfully though, LA’s natural topography is its most beautiful feature: the mountains, the canyons, the beaches, the desert, the ocean. Not to mention, the sheer magnitude of natural wonders that surround it. And as long as I’m spending time with people I love, it is heaven.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow. This is such a special question. Thank you for asking. So many people, animals, and organizations deserve recognition in my story…

To my parents and sister: I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support. Growing up, I was allowed and encouraged to embrace my abundance of interests, whether they involved animals, science, comedy, sports, music, etc. Each time I set a new goal, you were there encouraging me to reach for it! To this day, I feel that if I can dream it, I can do it, and I am so grateful for that confidence you instilled. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

To my teachers, colleagues, animal advocates, and friends: Thank you for consistently pushing me past what I thought were my intellectual and emotional limits, while continuing to support me as I evolve. I couldn’t do this without you. Every day I am humbled by your unwavering encouragement, your infinite knowledge, and your overwhelming generosity.

And most importantly, I want to recognize each and every animal. I am forever inspired by their unconditional love, courage and authenticity. They give me purpose and drive me to be the best version of myself. I’ve dedicated my life to them, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Website: www.fureverwithme.com

Instagram: @fureverwithme

Youtube: https://youtu.be/CNN_nrJJEmg

Image Credits
National Geographic Wild Home and Family Hallmark Channel Anna S.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.