River Valley Gateway

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the wonderful amazing woman that spent an hour on the phone with me while I was going thru the decision making process. And how grateful I am for the compassion, kindness, and understanding from Dr Denise.

The doctor came to my house and I explained that I have autism, and that I may move around a lot and seem very upset. She did comfort me and tell me being upset was normal. My cat, Goji, was my only family. He was the pet that looked after me, not the other way around. My parents are drug addicts, and I have no one to come home to that truly was there for me. Goji was that family, I thought about him all day at work. Recently I had gotten a new job, and he and I didnt have time to do his favorite thing, run on this little kids road map rug. I showed the rug to the doctor, and I explained its immense value to me and how important it was to me that when he left this house he was on that, and also cremated on the same rug so that he wasn't on the hard slab in the furnace. It was so important to me. When he passed, she picked up this grey towel he had been using for a bathroom. She carefully folded this and put it under him. I took his picture, and asked why she put him on this grey piss stained towel. She told me that I had asked her to. I once again pointed to my brightly colored children's rug and said "no I didnt, thats a towel. I told you about this rug. Not a towel." She fixed it so he was on the rug and I reminded her again that I wanted him burned on it. When I picked him up, the secretary brought him out in the little tin and she brought rug out separately and I was devastated. I cannot tell you how much that broke my heart to know that my sweet boy was burned to dust on NOTHING but a hard surface. I knew there was no way to fix this while she got the person in charge, Josh. Josh proceeded to loosely apologize, told me that the doctor wanted me to have it back, and kept asking me how he should fix this. He offered to burn it, knowing there would be nothing left. Which made it very clear to me that he nor the doctor never read my special instructions nor listened to me or the story I told. The importance of this was completely lost on both of them it seemed. He offered to throw it away, which upset me so much more. I had to ask him twice to stop asking me to solve this problem for him and to give me my cat and the rug, as this company had done me enough damage. He offered once more to burn the rug, and explained to me the science of cremation, as if I had never heard of it. The lack of empathy was profound for me. He didnt try to form an actual apology or solution until after I was asking to leave. He told me he would let me cool off and try to brain storm some solutions. Unless he has a time machine next to that furnace, I dont have a solution for him. I was robbed of the only comfort I gave myself and this company cannot undo it. They burned my boy with no regard or care, they rush through the process. My plan originally was to bury him with his rug, but my friend offered to pay for this because she thought it would be easier for me. This was a horrible and heartless expierence. Additionally, I was so overwhelmed during his passing that I barely noticed she only gave me a few minutes with him sedated and calm before letting me know she was implying the second drug. I cant speak for anyone else, but I feel this company only provided a basic service with no regard to my wishes or needs. They may have left brochures, said kind things, and said sorry for being confused and not trying harder, but none of that means anything when you are in the buisness of turning our most precious pets to literal dust. They provided the service, they came day of, and they weren't intentionally unkind. I would like to be clear on that. He doesnt have his rug now and I can never fix that and I am shattered over that. I hate this and I have been robbed of my comfort, and expected to fix it myself. And I have the rug, covered in his hair, as a reminder of not having him. I hate this, and I hated this expierence. I wish I had buried him. Goji, I love you, and I am sorry I trusted anyone with you. I am so sorry.

Dr. Denice was so kind, compassionate and professional. She came to our home and explained everything and gave us time with our dog before and after he was gone. Her soft spoken voice and calm demeanor made all the difference in the world. This allowed us to have our other dog present and for everyone to be as comfortable as possible. She was so tender and caring with him when she put him in a basket to take him after he passed. She took such care to position him well and make him look his best for us as they left. Thank you so much for creating the best way for us to say goodbye.

River Valley Gateway was so wonderful to deal with. All the staff we came in contact with were empathetic, kind, and gentle. They helped us navigate the hard choices and gave us a sense of safety. Josh was patient with our two little girls, and allowed us all to individually say our good byes. My family and I are so grateful for the care they gave to our sweet Bayn boy. The whole process made me feel like Bayn was treated with compassion and dignity. It rained the day we picked Bayn's ashes up and a big rainbow showed up when we got home 🌈 ❤️ Thank you River Valley for all your care!

I feel that any words I write here do not come close to expressing my wife's and my gratitude toward Denice and Josh for their care, compassion, and respect for my best friend, but I will try anyways. Buddy was my first dog, brought home at eight weeks, rarely not at my side throughout the next 11 years of his life. Thanks to River Valley Gateway, he enjoyed his final morning under the shade in his backyard, being held, petted, and reassured that he was the best boy. Denice was immensely patient and understanding as she helped my wife and I through the process, made sure we knew what was coming next, ensuring we knew he could still hear us, and just allowing us to take our time through one of the most difficult experiences of my life so far. When we came to see his cremation and say one final goodbye, Josh ensured that we were prepared for what we would experience. He walked us through each step in the process, while consistently checking to ensure we were prepared for, and wanted to participate in, as much or as little as we needed. It has been a blessing to have this experience, and worth so much more than what they generously charge for their services. I was so grateful to have his sister, Sasha, get to see and smell him so that she could process his absence alongside my wife and I. It was never even a concern that she was present throughout it all. I honestly feel that I was treated as family with the amount of care and concern everyone at River Valley Gateway shared with my wife, myself, and Sasha. It was a blessing to have this be part of his end of life story. I am forever grateful to Denice, Josh, and their entire team for what they gave to us. Thank you.