Meet Dr. Holt
Dr. Rush Holt grew up in Morgantown and attended West Virginia University for undergraduate and graduate school. He graduated from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018.
Dr. Holt has a wealth of experience in both large and small animal medicine, emergency medicine, and general practice. Dr. Holt has a passion for the human animal bond and for giving our pets dignity and love in their final hours of life. We were inspired to create this business after we received bad news that our beloved dog, Fergie, was diagnosed with cancer. Following Dr. Holt’s training, he was able to give Fergie the gift of a beautiful euthanasia at home. One sunny afternoon, after cuddling and eating pot roast, she passed peacefully and comfortably in our bed.
We believe that each family should have the opportunity to send their loved ones to The Next Ridge from the comfort of their own home.
When you call to schedule an appointment, you will likely speak with Julia Holt, Dr. Holt’s wife. Julia is an occupational therapist by training and now is the office manager and co-owner of The Next Ridge .
How do we know when it's time?
There is no clear cut answer to this difficult question.
This Quality of Life Assessment for pets from Ohio State University is a great resource for helping us decide when it’s time.
Meet Dr. Holt
Dr. Rush Holt grew up in Morgantown and attended West Virginia University for undergraduate and graduate school. He graduated from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018.
Dr. Holt has a wealth of experience in both large and small animal medicine, emergency medicine, and general practice. Dr. Holt has a passion for the human animal bond and for giving our pets dignity and love in their final hours of life. We were inspired to create this business after we received bad news that our beloved dog, Fergie, was diagnosed with cancer. Following Dr. Holt’s training, he was able to give Fergie the gift of a beautiful euthanasia at home. One sunny afternoon, after cuddling and eating pot roast, she passed peacefully and comfortably in our bed.
We believe that each family should have the opportunity to send their loved ones to The Next Ridge from the comfort of their own home.
When you call to schedule an appointment, you will likely speak with Julia Holt, Dr. Holt’s wife. Julia is an occupational therapist by training and now is the office manager and co-owner of The Next Ridge .
How do we know when it's time?
There is no clear cut answer to this difficult question.
This Quality of Life Assessment for pets from Ohio State University is a great resource for helping us decide when it’s time.
...When it was time, we called The Next Ridge based on a recommendation from our vet. Julia was so kind, patient, and informative during the initial teary phone call. And as Winnie's condition declined rapidly, Dr. Holt and Julia immediately talked us through the situation, and Dr. Holt quickly fit us into his schedule. Dr. Holt is a deeply empathetic vet, greeting us at the door with kind words of consolation and hugs. He thoroughly explained all the important details to us, was so gentle and kind to our Winnie, and he took time to let us grieve and answer our questions. Saying goodbye to Winnie was incredibly heartbreaking, but Dr. Holt made the process so much easier. It was wonderful to be in the comfort of our own home, where Winnie felt safe, rather than in a vet's office. I cannot recommend Dr. Holt and The Next Ridge enough. We are so, so grateful for their kindness during this time.
Tacy Layne
Dr. Holt's compassion is beyond measure, and the gentle, loving care he showed our fur baby in her final hour and our family was phenomenal. He deserves a 10 star rating. We are so grateful for his service to our community and "Thank You" is not enough. If you want to say goodbye to your 4-legged family member in the comfort of your home, calling The Next Ridge is the most loving thing to do.
Emily Lamm
I can’t say enough about Dr Holt! The service he provides is nothing short of incredible. He is kind, personable and most of all, was wonderful with our dog. In such an emotional stressful time, his experience and kind compassionate nature brings a peaceful feeling to the situation. He talked to me and my family as if he had known us his whole life. His wife is as kind & thoughtful as he is. She handles all of the information and makes the arrangements for the appointments. She’s prompt and sweet and very patient. 100% recommend this business and am very thankful for it! 5 stars for a review is not enough!
Christi Fridlay
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There are no eating or drinking restrictions prior to the in-home euthansia. In fact, we encourage spoiling your pet! The appointment can be done wherever your pet is most comfortable. Dr. Holt thoroughly explains every step of the procedure, and typically appointments are a 2-step process. The first step is a sedative that Dr. Holt places in the muscle of your pet’s back leg. He gives some time and space to let the sedative properly take effect, about 10-15 minutes. Then, Dr. Holt places an IV where he administers the second medication, which is basically an overdose of the sedation. Dr. Holt offers transportation to cremation services following the appointments as needed.
