Vet Serves in Charleston, SC

Dr. Lara Allison

Verified Veterinarian

45 reviews

Why I provide at-home pet euthanasia

After 30 years as a veterinarian, I’ve witnessed both the clinical and the deeply personal sides of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. Through this journey, I’ve come to believe that the most peaceful and compassionate way for our pets to pass is in the comfort of their own home—or in a favorite outdoor spot—surrounded by the people who love them. My first experience with home euthanasia was 24 years ago, with my mom’s beloved dog, Smokey. We sat with him on a sunny riverbank, birds singing overhead, the wind gently moving through the trees. As my mom held him, I asked her to share memories—his funny quirks, the naughty moments, the ways he made her smile. In that space of love and remembrance, something shifted: the sadness was still there, but so was peace. Smokey passed calmly, cradled in my mom’s arms, wrapped in love and sunlight. It was a moment that changed both of us—and it’s what inspired me to dedicate my work to helping others have the same experience. Since that day, I’ve helped countless families say goodbye in the quiet, sacred space of home. The difference is profound. Without the clinical setting, there’s less fear, less anxiety—for both pets and their people. It becomes a time to focus on a life well-lived, and to offer a final gift of comfort, dignity, and love. This work is an honor. Helping families create a peaceful transition for their companions is one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done, and I’m grateful every day to be part of such tender, important moments.

Education

Undergraduate: B.S from University of Georgia - 1991

Veterinary Medicine: University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine- 1995

Certifications

1

CAETA's CPEV (Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian)

 CAETA's CPEV (Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian)
  • Based InCharleston, SC
  • Service areasCharleston, SC & Surrounding Area
  • Work Experience30 plus years+ years
  • Animals ServedAll Dogs & Cats
  • Notice Required2 hours

General availability

Monday10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Availability each week can vary based on demand and scheduling. Please provide a minimum 2 hour advance notice for all bookings.

Services provided

At home pet euthanasia

Dr. Lara Allison will help your beloved pet transition peacefully in the comfort of of their home, surrounded by loved ones

Est. CostStarting at $325

Pet cremation

Dr. Lara Allison will arrange and handle all of your cremation needs, including careful and loving transportation of your pet to the crematorium through private or communal process handled

Est. CostFrom $135 - $325

Keepsakes

Clay paw prints, wooden urns with personalizations available with ashes returned

Est. CostFrom $20 - $165

Quality of life consult

Schedule a 1-on-1 with a vet over a virtual conference call or at home.

Est. CostStarting at $150

What pet parents are saying

The time had come for our 14-year-old Golden Retriever, Katie, to be put to sleep. We wanted Katie’s last moments to be at home in familiar surroundings with her family. Dr. Allison, explained the procedures and told us exactly what to expect. After giving Katie the mild sedative, Dr. Allison gently wrapped Katie into a fluffy cozy blanket and placed a blanket/pillow under her head for support. When everything was in place, Dr. Allison administered the final medication, and Katie passed peacefully into her heavenly sleep. We can not say enough about how pleased we were with Dr. Allison and how she helped us through this difficult time. She was very kind and compassionate, she did not rush anything and was very sensitive to our needs. We wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Lara Allison in helping us to help our precious baby girl go over the Rainbow Bridge.

codapet review
5.0
Oct 27 2025 by Teresa S.
Review by Teresa S.
Dr. Lara Allison profile picture

Dr. Allison came to our home to help us say goodbye to our beloved dog, and I am so grateful I am for her care. I have known Dr. Allison for many years and the care and professionalism I have experienced with her has always been above and beyond. She was flexible, incredibly kind, and deeply comforting during a hard time. She explained everything gently, moved at our pace, and treated Patsy with dignity and compassion. Being able to do this at home was such a blessing for both me and my dog, and Dr. Allison made a difficult situation far less stressful. I am truly thankful for her empathy and professionalism during this difficult time.

codapet review
5.0
Jan 05 2026 by Dana W.
Review by Dr. Lara Allison

We had Lucy, a rescue that we adopted when she was 10 months old. She was a great family pet. She found her forever home. Our two young children grew up with her. And still talk about her today. After 13 years as a family member, because of medical reasons, we knew that it was time to let Lucy go. We decided that it would be better for Lucy to be in our own home as opposed to a cold clinic. Dr Allison came over to our house to perform the procedure. It was the best situation it could have been. Because Lucy was in her own surroundings, she was relaxed and not stressed. Dr Allison not only took care of Lucy, she had compassion with the humans as well. The time she took with us was priceless. She explained what was happening and did not rush our grieving. We have all heard that hindsight is 20/20. And clearly this was the best way to handle an emotional situation.

codapet review
5.0
Aug 15 2024 by Evy Silcox
Review by Dr. Lara Allison

Dr. Allison is an extremely kind and caring veterinarian. When it was time to help our sweet Lupé cross the Rainbow Bridge, she not only helped us with knowing it was the right decision but also helped us navigate the difficult emotions. She explained everything thoroughly and thoughtfully answered our questions.  Dr. Allison approached the situation with the utmost professionalism and grace, patiently giving us time to say farewell to our dear furry friend.  From handling the logistics to treating Lupé as if she were her own, we can’t thank her enough!

codapet review
5.0
Aug 22 2024 by Michelle Lee
Review by Dr. Lara Allison

When my beloved dog was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I was devastated and unsure of how to handle her final moments. When the time arrived, Dr. Lara Allison came to my home and provided the most compassionate and professional care I could have hoped for. Her calm demeanor and gentle approach immediately put both my dog and me at ease during such a difficult time. Dr. Allison's expertise was evident as she handled everything with the utmost care, allowing my dog to pass peacefully in the comfort of her own home. The love and compassion she showed were truly remarkable, and I will forever be grateful for her support during one of the hardest days of my life. Dr. Allison’s new mobile home euthanasia practice is a testament to her dedication to providing compassionate end-of-life care for animals. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone in need of such care. Thank you, Dr. Allison, for your incredible kindness and professionalism.

codapet review
5.0
Aug 15 2024 by Stirling Harper, MD
Review by Dr. Lara Allison

Our family has been with Pet Vet for many years and has numerous pets. As pet owners know, the most difficult decision we make for our pets is knowing when to keep fighting for them or if we should allow them to be free of their pain. Our beloved GSD, Bauer, was one in a million. We brought him home shortly before our first child joined us. 12 years later, and a couple more kids, Bauer was our constant loving, best friend. We started seeing Dr. Allison regularly to help with Bauer’s joints and other ailments. We promised Bauer that we would help him in any way we could, and Dr. Allison promised our family she would let us know when it was time. We were in it together, as a team. He had such a wonderful last six months, and Dr. Allison helped him and our family along the way. We had many difficult conversations, but they were always made easier because of her ability to have an open discussion. Once Bauer’s health started to rapidly decline our family made the difficult decision, along with Dr. Allison, to help relieve his pain. When planning our final appointment, she so graciously offered to come to our home the next night after work, which just happened to be a Friday evening. We were able to take Bauer to the beach that Friday morning as a family. We had a lovely afternoon at home, while Bauer ate all of his favorite treats. As evening rolled around, we started a nice fire in our living room and made a pallet out of blankets for Bauer. Dr. Allison arrived at our home after working at the clinic all day. We were able to chat with her and hang out with Bauer. She explained the procedure and made sure we understood fully what steps she would be taking. The process was quick, and our sweet boy was no longer in pain. Dr. Allison had even called the crematorium and they were waiting outside our home for whenever we were ready. While losing a pet is never easy, being able to have the procedure done in our home with a veterinarian that loved him like their own, made it much more bearable. We will forever be thankful for Dr. Allison and her kind heart. We know it hurt her almost as much as we were hurting, but we were there together for our sweet Bauer. And he knew it too. Thank you Dr. Allison for your compassion and sincerity. We will forever be grateful that you helped us ensure Bauer had a wonderful life and a gracious passing.

codapet review
5.0
Aug 15 2024 by Cassidy and Phillip Bozzelli
Review by Dr. Lara Allison