SAYING GOODBYE
By Chris Wadsworth
Serena was a runner. A greyhound by breed, she was born into the world of parimutuel racing and ran 125 races before retiring into her second life as a lapdog and beloved companion to Cindy McConnell.
But after seven years together, McConnell knew the time had come. Serena had been battling bone cancer, and in January, McConnell called and asked Dr. Lauren Silvesti, a veterinarian, to come to her Sterling home.
Silvesti arrived, the women talked – soothingly – to each other and to Serena as Silvesti administered euthanasia medicine. Her final race run, the greyhound slipped away in McConnell’s arms.
“It was peaceful,” McConnell said. “I will never forget holding my sweet girl and telling her how much I loved her – and always would love her – as she took her last breath.”
Silvesti, who lives in Ashburn’s Farmwell Hunt neighborhood, is a vet with a very specific specialty – end-of-life care for pets with the option of in-home euthanasia.
Putting a pet to sleep in the family home may sound shocking at first, but Silvesti says it’s anything but.
“I try to be a family’s professional guide and strength so they can let go of worry and fear and just cherish the final moments with their pet,” she said. “Most importantly, the pet is comfortable in their own house, on their own bed, surrounded by the people they love and trust the most.”
Originally from New Jersey, Silvesti studied animal science at Rutgers University and then earned her veterinary degree from Iowa State.
In 2025, Silvesti affiliated herself with CodaPet, a national brand that specializes in end-of-life care and offers vet-assisted in-home euthanasia in cities and communities around the country.
McConnell had reached out to CodaPet when her first greyhound – before Serena – needed care in her final days back in 2018. She feels the in-home experience – as heart-wrenching as it is – makes the moment as perfect as it can be.
“I was touched by how gently and respectfully Dr. Silvesti treated Serena’s body after death, wrapping her so carefully in soft blankets,” McConnell said.
The Wenger family of Ashburn Village recently had to make a similarly painful decision for their beloved rescue dog Glory. She was a retriever/lab mix and the family’s first dog when they adopted her at 14 weeks old.
“Our kids were so excited to welcome a puppy into the family,” Maggie Wenger said about the joy Glory brought to herself, her husband, Nate, and their five children.
Glory loved going on family vacations. She enjoyed running in the open woods and jumping in the lake. She was an integral part of the family.
“Anytime we were leaving, she would hop in the car to make sure we didn’t leave without her,” Wenger said.
But in 2025, when Glory was 11 years old, an illness led to a rapid decline in her quality of life. The family and their vet tried everything, but it was not to be. Maggie knew Glory didn’t like being at the vet’s office, so they looked for an at-home option and found Dr. Silvesti.
“The day we said goodbye was incredibly hard,” Wenger said. “We settled her in the center of the family room so she could be surrounded by everyone who loved her. She was calm and comfortable.”
Everyone said their goodbyes – more than once. A shot was given that put Glory into a deep sleep and then a second shot stopped her heart.
“We let our other two dogs smell Glory afterward, so they could understand she was gone,” Maggie Wenger said. “We helped wrap her in a brightly colored sling, and my children carried her to Dr. Silvesti’s car.”
A few days later, they picked up Glory’s remains, along with keepsakes like a paw print and a nose print.
“[Dr. Silvesti’s] calm presence and genuine compassion brought comfort to our family on a very difficult day,” Wenger said.
One can’t help but wonder about the emotional toll a practice like this takes on a vet – to be surrounded by ailing pets and grieving families over and over.
“I often get told, ‘Your job must be so sad,’” Silvesti said. “Of course, it is at times. But more importantly, it reminds you to live every day with gratitude and an open heart. I don’t take for granted the little moments with my pets and family anymore. The time we are given on earth is so very precious.”
In-home pet euthanasia is a growing field. Besides CodaPet, there are similar services around the country with names such as Laps of Love, The Kindest Goodbye and Hearts & Halos.
According to surveys analyzed by CodaPet, among clients who had experienced both clinic and at-home euthanasia for a pet, 98% said that in-home was far superior. And 100% said they would recommend it to others.
It’s this positive response – and the time she shares with families and their pets – that gives Silvestri purpose.
“I see so many rainbows,” she added. “Even on days there shouldn’t be one – more than the average person – and it’s all I need to smile and know I’m doing good in my life and following my higher calling.”
Cindy McConnell, for one, is thankful. She has a grown son and two granddaughters, but at home here in Loudoun County, it’s just her and the four-footed companions she adopts.
She knows nothing will replace Serena’s memory, but she also knows she still has more love to give: “I recently adopted my third ‘off the track’ greyhound, who is helping to heal my broken heart.”
MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about Dr. Silvesti and CodaPet at codapet.com/cities/ashburn-va