Compassionate In-Home Euthanasia & End of-Life Services for Animal Companions in Sonoma County
Saying goodbye is never easy—but it can be peaceful, meaningful, and full of love.
At A Beloved Farewell, we help families navigate one the most tender moments of the human-animal bond: the end of life.
Led by Dr. Ken Gorczyca, a veterinarian and animal companion death doula, we provide in-home euthanasia, ceremony and ritual, storytelling and obituary poetry, music, portrait art and gentle aftercare for your beloved animal companion.
Whether at home or your garden, in a favorite park, or by the ocean’s edge, we create a sacred space to honor your pet’s life with grace and dignity.
Dr. Ken Gorcyzca
Veterinarian • Death Doula • Artist • Advocate
Dr. Ken Gorczyca (pronounced Gor-si-ca) brings a lifetime of compassion and creativity to his veterinary work. A graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Ken began his career in San Francisco, where he helped establish Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) and became an early advocate for the human-animal bond and the LGBTQ+ community.
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He has walked alongside many individuals during the AIDS pandemic, learning firsthand how to hold space for grief, transition, and deep love. These experiences shaped his path as a veterinary death doula and teacher, now offering comfort and sacred support to pets and their families at life’s end.
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Dr. Ken's passion centers around providing ceremonial farewells for our animal companions and soulmates, recognizing the deep bond shared between pets and their guardians. He feels privileged to be invited into homes and families to offer In-home euthanasia services, allowing pets to transition peacefully and a loving environment. By combining his veterinary expertise with a compassionate doula approach Dr. Ken ensures that these final moments are filled with love and dignity, helping families honor the life and spirit of their cherished animals while providing support during an emotionally challenging time.
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Dr. Ken teaches in the Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program at the University of Vermont and blends veterinary medicine with ritual, storytelling, and spiritual care. He’s also a gifted artist who creates commemorative portraits that celebrate the soul of each animal.
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He lives between San Francisco and Sonoma County with his terrier Kira and husband Lorenz.
