A Gentle Goodbye is a small, independently-owned company that has been offering end of life services since 2011. We know what an incredibly difficult time this is to go through, and we are here to help you navigate the process. We proudly offer veterinary hospice and geriatric care, telehealth quality of life discussions, in-home quality of life consultations, in-home euthanasia, and aqua-cremation.
Our Founder
Dr. Juliana Lyles
Like many veterinarians, I knew I wanted to be an “animal doctor” from the time I was very young. I worked toward my goal of becoming a veterinarian by receiving my bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Genetics from Iowa State University and my veterinary degree from Mississippi State University, where I also met my husband, William. Over the years, our family grew to include our two children, as well as 2 cats, Ravenclaw and Primrose, and a ferret, Luna.
Throughout my veterinary career, I have had the pleasure of working with a wide variety of medical disciplines. I interned at an exotics-only practice, cared for working Clydesdales, racehorses, and even studied animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. I have always respected the bond between pets and their families, including the end of life care they receive. While I was still a young pre-veterinary student, I had to euthanize my beloved 11 year old ferret, and I realized how peaceful and comforting a process this can be when it’s done with the utmost respect and care. When my husband joined the army in 2010, we were relocated to Fayetteville, NC, where I worked at a small animal practice and started working in end of life care.
I quickly realized I had found my passion within veterinary medicine, and knew this would be my life-long career. After my husband completed his military contract in April of 2012, we moved back to my hometown of Chicagoland and I started a veterinary hospice business. Over the years, it has been such an honor to see it grow. The majority of the families we help find us because of a referral from a trusted friend or veterinarian, and it is such a privilege to help those families during this difficult time.
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Kristina Kalivoda
I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in a family that has always valued pets as members of the family. I wasn’t entirely certain I wanted to be a veterinarian, ironically because I wasn’t sure I could handle euthanasia. I received my degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois and then took a year off to work full time in a veterinary clinic as an assistant. We had only ever had dogs growing up, and I didn’t “understand” cats at all, but it was at that clinic that the hospital cat decided to attach himself to me and show me the way.
I attended vet school at the University of Illinois the next year, graduating at the top of my class. While in vet school, I discovered a passion for working with exotic animals, and completed an internship in zoological medicine at Texas A&M University, followed by a residency in avian and exotic animal medicine at Cornell University. I did miss working with dogs and especially cats, and have spent the last few years in practice working with all species.
Along the way, I collected several cats, including my long-haired orange guy Apollo. After moving back to the Chicagoland area, Apollo started to lose weight, vomit, and drink a large amount of water. He was already in severe kidney failure at the age of five. I kept him stable and happy for almost twelve months with intensive hospice care at home. He let me do everything I needed there, but he hated the hospital, so when it came time to say goodbye to him, I decided to let him pass at home. I was so surprised by how peaceful it was for him. I am so honored now to help other families say goodbye to their beloved pets peacefully and with dignity in the comfort of their own homes.
I currently live in the northwest suburbs. I most recently said goodbye to my best buddy Oscar, an amazing brown tabby who saw me through all my schooling. I have a three-legged leopard gecko named Achilles, a cockatiel named Percival (Percy), and my little black cat Imp.
Dr. Molly O’Brien
I grew up in Des Plaines and had many different pets as a child. I wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age and got my first job at an animal hospital while I was in high school. I received my Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois and my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University. I worked in private practice in the Chicagoland area for 14 years prior to joining A Gentle Goodbye in 2020.
I have had to deal with the loss of multiple pets and in late 2023, Dr. Juliana helped me say goodbye to my 16 year old Welsh Terrier, Chewie (pictured). Even though I am a veterinarian, it was a very difficult time for me and so I really do understand the pain that comes from losing a furry family member. I know just how hard it can be to see our pets get older and ultimately to have to make the decision to euthanize. Whenever that time comes, I think it is better for everyone to say goodbye at home in a familiar setting. I always want those last moments to be as peaceful as possible for the pet as well as their family. I believe it is a special honor to perform euthanasia and hope to provide comfort and compassion during a difficult time.
Several months after losing Chewie, I rescued a Wire Fox Terrier named Pearl. She is such a silly dog and she makes me smile every day! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, traveling, listening to music, and going to concerts.
Dr. Heather Venn
I grew up on a farm in central Illinois surrounded by animals. As a child, one of my favorite past times was finding stray kittens and convincing them they wanted to be my friend. Studying veterinary medicine was just a logical next step. I did my undergraduate work and received my DVM from the University of Illinois.
After graduation, I spent decades working in general medicine practices. I was still fairly new to medicine when a client asked if I would be willing to come to their home and help them say goodbye to their beloved pet. I had never considered this before, but was honored that they had asked me to help and could think of no better way to say goodbye than at home, in familiar surroundings. Over the years, I have gone to multiple homes to help families say goodbye to their pets. Joining A Gentle Goodbye seems like a perfect next chapter for me.
When at home, I am kept busy by my son and my rescue pets – a dog and 6 cats.
Dr. Mariah Bessette
Dr. Bessette discovered her passion for veterinary medicine early in life, inspired by her family’s volunteer work with local rescue organizations. This exposure to animal care and welfare fostered a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need. She pursued her academic interests by earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, complemented by a minor in Criminal Justice, from Florida Atlantic University. She furthered her education by obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale, Arizona.
A deeply personal experience that shaped Dr. Bessette’s approach to veterinary care was the peaceful and comforting euthanasia of her own pets. This experience left a lasting impression, inspiring her to ensure that all families receive compassionate and gentle end-of-life care for their beloved animals.
Dr. Bessette resides in the suburbs with her husband, son, 2 cats, and 2 dogs.
Dr. Libby McVey
I grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, where we always had a variety of pets—including dogs and several pocket pets. When I was 14, my parents gave me a miniature dachshund puppy who opened my eyes to the depth of the human-animal bond and changed the trajectory of my life. The following year, I began volunteering at a local animal shelter, where I was inspired by the shelter veterinarian to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
I earned my undergraduate degree from Cornell University and my veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin. I went on to complete a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City before settling in the Chicago area. For the past 25 years, I have worked in both emergency medicine and general practice. Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by the deep connection people share with their animal companions and the joy and comfort these relationships bring to our lives.
Helping families navigate the end-of-life journey with compassion and dignity has always been an important part of my work. Supporting pets and their people during this time felt like a natural next step, and I’m honored to now dedicate my career to this calling full-time.
I’m the proud guardian of a dog named Ollie and a cat named Iggy. In my free time, I enjoy training and competing in dog obedience and rally, tending to my garden, hiking, knitting, painting—and admiring whatever Iggy decides to do next.
Dr. Nicole Insko
My experiences having many different kinds of pets, including four cats, a dog, a mouse, and a guinea pig led me to achieve my dream of becoming a Veterinarian. I received my bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Theater at Elmhurst College (now University) where I also met my now partner, Justin. Together we moved to Michigan where I obtained my degree in Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University, and afterwards we were looking for a place to call home. Another few moves across a few states led us back to the Chicago area for good. Along the way, we found our two babies: a gray tuxedo named Sterling and a teeny black cat named Tikki. They keep us on our feet, even when Sterling is too focused on a squirrel to look at the camera.
During my career, I have had many interests including ultrasound, internal medicine, and feline specific practice, however as time passed I felt drawn to senior pets and the concerns that arise around end of life. It takes so much care and love to make the decision to euthanize a pet, as I have learned in my own experience of losing my family pets over the years. While talking with owners during these appointments, it became more apparent to me that everyone handles these situations differently. Every grieving process is unique, and every pet deserves the chance to pass in peace, surrounded by their loved ones. This is what drew me to this work, a chance to provide that care to patients and their loving families.
When not working, I can be found having board game nights with friends, singing in an adult choir (trying to make use of that Theater minor!), and listening to horror and DnD podcasts.
Dr. Laura Brazelton
I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with a lifelong passion for animals, sharing my home with many different pets over the years, including fish, a hamster, birds, reptiles, chinchillas, a cat, and dogs. In high school, I began working in animal hospitals, which led me to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for both my undergraduate studies and veterinary school.
As a veterinarian, I have worked in small animal hospitals, spending much of that time at a wonderful practice in Dallas, Texas. It was there that I said goodbye to my incredible dog Kennedy. During that difficult time, the compassion and support of a veterinarian colleague allowed me to simply be present with Kennedy as her family, surrounded by love. That experience left a lasting impression and deepened my commitment to providing the calmest, most supportive environment possible for other pets and their families when it matters most.
Eventually, we were able to move back to Illinois to be closer to family. Through many years in practice, I developed a growing awareness of the importance of end-of-life care for pet families and felt a calling to focus my work in this area.
Today, we live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Outside of veterinary care, I enjoy watching my son play sports and caring for our pets Guinevere the crested gecko and Guapo the chinchilla. In my free time, I also love tennis, hiking, and cooking.
Our Aftercare Team
Aaron, Senior Aftercare Technician
I was born and raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Up until I joined the A Gentle Goodbye family, I had worked in many different fields from body shops and auto detailing, to retail and jewelry sales. There have been aspects of every position I have held that I found very fulfilling, but nothing quite as much as working in end-of-life care for pets. Before joining the A Gentle Goodbye family, I ran and operated a local pet cremation company for 6 years. During that time, I found my love for helping families during one of the most difficult times they may ever experience.
Three years ago, my then girlfriend, Kelly, and I rescued an adorable grey and white tabby, Sterling. He was found under the hood of a client’s car curled up next to the battery for warmth. He is a spirited little guy who, my now wife and I can’t imagine being with-out. A year later we decided Sterling needed a little cat brother, so we found Oliver, a grumpy-looking, mostly grey, somewhat “slow” short haired angel. He is the biggest love bug and scaredy-cat with fur as soft as a Chinchilla. My life has found a new vigor since adopting these boys and marrying the love of my life.
In my free time, I enjoy collecting, watching TV shows and movies of all kinds, and growing my collection to over 2000 titles. In the spring and fall, I enjoy camping for a couple days and I have found nothing that resets the mind and body better.
Chabely, Aftercare Technician
Born and raised from Chicago, I never really imagined living anywhere else until I temporarily moved to the East Coast a couple of years ago. During that time, I found myself gravitating towards end-of-life care and decided to pursue my studies in that field to see where it can take me. With a lot of growth, I have found myself working in veterinary hospice in Virginia as a Fields Service Technician. The role I played was extremely rewarding seeing how committed and loyal the owners were to their animal companions, and the amount of compassion in making a very difficult, yet selfless, decision. The things I learned during my time in Virginia, I have definitely carried with me in my personal and work life.