Media News

Open Doors, Open Hearts At White Rose

by Cami L. Jack

Driving onto the grounds of White Rose Pet Memorial Services, a visitor can instantly sense that there is an infinite amount of care and attention to detail that takes place with everything and every life on the premises. From the well-manicured lawns to the healthy, happy farm animals that frolic through their own sanctuaries, each space and living thing is afforded a sense of respect and care that is nearly unparalleled in this area.

Opened three years ago on South Street in Brattleboro, VT, the origins of White Rose sprang from negative experiences that Marilyn George and Steve Hellus had after the death of their beloved cat, Moca Chip. In direct contrast to the pet crematories and aftercare facilities they visited to make Moca Chip’s final arrangements, White Rose is a completely open-access facility, allowing mourners as much or as little participation in the process as they choose.

“We find that most often, pet owners are comforted by visiting and touring our facility, long before they have any need for our services, “Hellus comments. “Pets have become like family in our culture, and pet owners need to see where they’re sending their family members before a crisis arises.”

Hellus and George are particularly trying to emphasize their open-door policy these days, in reaction to the recent, well-published atrocities at human crematories in Seabrook and Atlanta, GA. They are extremely proud of the facility they run, and love to show off the clean, state-of-the art equipment and work areas to prospective clients and employees in the veterinary field.

“We often host groups of veterinarians and employees of the local animal hospitals, because it helps them when they’re trying to comfort pet owners, and giving owners a good recommendation gives both the veterinarians and the clients a valuable peace of mind,” says George.

Hellus and George knew from the beginning that they wanted a facility that would rival the best, and before they even established a building, they performed research that took over a year, visiting pet crematories all over the Eastern seaboard, from the Canadian border to Florida. Additionally, they attended the annual convention of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries to speak with members who had over 30 years of experience in the field. They learned about the equipment, certifications, and regulations to which they strictly adhere.

“If you want to build a better place, you take the time to learn from the best in the industry,” Hellus contributes. “We basically ended up serving a year-long apprenticeship under the most experienced and most highly regarded aftercare providers in the business, and were lucky in that respect, since we got to avoid some of the mistakes that are inevitable in any new organization.”

“This is actually a rewarding business, despite the sadness and grief inherent in it, “ George reflects. “We’ve met some of the most wonderful people at their worst times, and gotten to share in their memories and stories of their pets. It’s very heartwarming to see the kind of respect owners afford their pets.”

White Rose is somewhat unique in the industry because, unlike most pet crematories, they never dismember prior to cremation, nor are animal remains ever discarded to a landfill or mass grave. When group cremations are performed, the remains are scattered on the White Rose property.

“We want to leave no doubt in a grieving owner’s mind that their pets are being treated with the same level of love and respect that they would provide themselves, so we gladly allow each client as much or as little access to the entire process as they wish to have, up to and including viewing the actual cremation itself, “George concludes.

For more details, or to arrange and appointment to view the White Rose facilities, call 802-254-4749, or visit their web site at www.whiterosepet.com.