In April of 2023, the Women in Business issue was published by Cape Cod Life. This issue focused on ten entrepreneurs from the Cape Cod region that ‘have made a name for themselves through hard work and determination’.
Here is an out take from that article, “Due Diligence“:
“Cape Cod Life Publications freelance writer Valerie Gates had the pleasure of speaking with these inimitable innovators and she brings their stories to life for us.”
“There are plenty of idioms about swimming that can be likened to establishing your own business: Swimming against the tide. Finding your sea legs. Sink or swim. Keep your head above water. And the one that probably resonates the most for the business pioneers featured in the following pages, is the one made famous by the small, but determined and unforgettable, fish Dory, from Finding Nemo: Just keep swimming.”
“Like kicking against the current, these Cape Codders forged on despite exhaustion, disappointment, frustrations and the always inevitable naysayers in order to pursue their business aspirations and create paths in their professions that inspire others to follow.”
Dr. Paula Monte DVM, CVA, Litchfield Animal Wellness
Dr. Paula Monte DVM, CVA, certified in chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and in-home euthanasia, treats her patients/your family members—with a full spectrum of integrated care—and by family members, we mean pets.
From 2013 to 2020 the money spent on family pets in the United States increased over 50%, with families’ disposable and not-so-disposable income going toward pet food, pet beds, pet toys, pet care, pet health and yes, all those cute little sweaters.
A new Forbes Advisor survey found that an overwhelming majority of pet owners (78%) acquired pets during the pandemic.
Dr. Monte, based in Mashpee, is one of the few doctors still making house calls. In fact, house calls are all she does, because she believes in the importance of seeing her patients in their home surroundings. It makes a visit with the doctor much less stressful for patients and their parents alike and she can often make better diagnoses by seeing the animals in their own environment.
“In veterinarian hospitals, most of the focus was on helping animals get better, so euthanasia was sort of an afterthought,” says Dr. Monte. It bothered her that end-of-life for these animals was so stressed and fearful in the hospital setting. She felt that it was important to make the ending more comfortable for the animal, so she began her at-home practice.
During the pandemic, people no longer felt comfortable coming into the hospital to euthanize their pets, so clients started asking her for in-home, end-of-life care. Referrals quickly spread by word of mouth. Other vets often refer their patients to her, and she is as busy as ever.
In-home euthanasia allows the families and their pets to say their goodbyes in a familiar and loving environment. Some families choose to say prayers, play music or sing to their pets as they “cross the rainbow bridge” from the comfort of their own home. After the passing, Dr. Monte steps outside to give the family a moment before collecting their loved one.
Dr. Monte’s office checks in with the family the next day, passes along helpful grief-related resources if needed, and then hand-delivers the ashes, checking in on the family once again.
Many of the owners are grateful for all of Dr. Monte’s thoughtful services and the follow-up check-ins as the testimonials on her website show.
“Dr. Monte is proof that angels are among us. My contact with David Monte, the business manager, revealed supportive and compassionate services were at hand. Dr. Monte was punctual, supportive, and provided everything I could have asked for with regards to the passing of my four-legged companion. In a time when compassion is so limited, you will find a reservoir of it here. I am so grateful,” says one pet parent.
In her spare time, Dr. Monte enjoys spending time with her husband David, two children, and their dog, Sawyer, who is so lucky to have such a compassionate Mom.
… Thank you again to Valerie Gates and Cape Cod Life Publications for bringing light to these wonderful examples of dedicated women in our Cape Cod community…
You can visit Cape Cod Life Publications online HERE to find more exciting and interesting stories about Cape Cod and the people that make this place so delightful.