About Dr Cory
At Dr. Cory's Guiding Light, we support families and their pets during end-of-life care. Our mission is to bring compassion, calm, and respect to this tender journey. With over eight years of veterinary experience, we focus on creating a peaceful transition for animals in the comfort of their home. We understand how emotionally difficult this time can be, and our goal is to provide clarity, support, and comfort to every family we serve.
Dr Cory is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV) through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) and Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian (CPEV) through the Compassionate End-of-Life Training Academy (CAETA).
These advanced certifications reflect her deep commitment to ensuring each pet receives the most compassionate, informed, and dignified care possible.
It is truly an honor to guide you and your beloved companion through this final chapter—with empathy, grace, and heartfelt understanding.
Our Vision
Compassion
Compassion is at the heart of everything we do at Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light. We understand that saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a person can face. That’s why we approach each family with empathy, patience, and a deep sense of respect for the bond they share with their companion.
Our compassion extends not only to the pets in our care, but also to the people who love them. We know that every pet is a cherished member of the family, and every loss is deeply personal. From the moment we arrive, we create a calm, supportive space where you and your pet can feel safe, heard, and cared for.
We take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and move at a pace that feels right for you. Every step of the process is done with tenderness and mindfulness, ensuring that your pet’s final moments are filled with peace and love.
True compassion means being fully present — offering comfort, understanding, and unwavering kindness when it’s needed most. It’s not just our job — it’s our calling, and it’s our honor to walk beside you on this journey.
Dignity
At Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light, we believe every pet deserves to leave this world with the same dignity they carried throughout their life. Dignity means providing a peaceful, gentle experience — free from fear, pain, or stress. It means treating each animal not as a patient, but as a beloved family member whose life has meaning and whose passing deserves reverence.
We take great care in ensuring your pet’s final moments are calm and respectful. From the way we speak to your pet to how we handle their body afterward, every action is intentional and tender.
Whether it's offering a quiet moment for goodbyes, softly wrapping them in a favorite blanket, or thoughtfully coordinating aftercare, dignity is present in every detail.
We also recognize the dignity of your grief. This moment belongs to you and your pet, and we hold space for the love, tears, and memories that come with saying goodbye. It’s our privilege to help your pet transition in the comfort of home, surrounded by love, with their head resting in familiar arms. Upholding dignity in life’s final chapter is not just our promise — it is our deepest commitment.
Guidance
Saying goodbye to a cherished pet is never easy — emotionally, mentally, or logistically. At Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light, we are here to offer compassionate guidance through every step of this deeply personal journey. With over seven years of experience and certification in hospice, palliative care, and peaceful euthanasia, we’re equipped to walk beside you with confidence and care.
We begin by truly listening — to your concerns, your pet’s needs, and your heart. We provide gentle, honest information about the process, helping you understand what to expect and supporting you in making the decisions that feel right for your family. There is no rush, no pressure — only presence, patience, and understanding.
Our guidance continues through the procedure itself, offering reassurance, steady hands, and calm, compassionate care. We also help you navigate aftercare options with clarity and respect, so you can make choices rooted in love rather than overwhelm.
Most importantly, we are here to remind you that you’re not alone. In one of the hardest moments of your life, we offer not just a service, but a steady hand and a warm heart to help carry you through.
Dr. Cory's Gentle Approach to Senior Pet Comfort and Care
From a young age, I was deeply moved by the strong bond between humans and animals. Whether it was the loyal dog waiting at the door, the cat curled up beside its person, or the gentle rabbit resting in a child's arms, these connections felt deep to me. Animals give their love honestly and without words. I wanted to dedicate my life to understanding and supporting that bond. Becoming a veterinarian felt like a natural choice. It would let me care for animals and the people who love them.
In veterinary school and my early practice years, I was eager to learn. I focused on diagnosing illnesses, performing surgeries, and promoting wellness. Over time, I noticed that the goodbyes stuck with me the most. These moments were not just medical; they were deeply emotional. Love, grief, and memory blended in one final act of compassion. I saw heartbreak in pet owners’ eyes and trust in the animals’. I realized that while all veterinary care matters, guiding families through the end-of-life journey was where I felt a special calling.
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet can be the most difficult experience someone can go through. The pain of losing a dear friend can be overwhelming. Yet, there is also deep gratitude for the love shared. I wanted to be someone who could support all those feelings — sorrow, gratitude, and love. I aimed to help guide both pet and owner through this gently.
That call shifted my focus to end-of-life care. I earned certifications in hospice and palliative care and learned peaceful euthanasia techniques. This training helped me offer compassionate support during this time. My goal was clear: to create a calming and respectful experience. I wanted pets to pass peacefully at home, surrounded by their loved ones.
Starting Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light was more than starting a business; it was a mission dear to my heart. I aimed to be a steady, caring presence for families during tough times. I believe how we say goodbye is important. A peaceful passing is one of the greatest gifts we can offer our animal companions after all their love and loyalty.
Each visit is guided by that belief. I bring medical expertise along with empathy, patience, and respect for the bond each family has with their pet. Whether it’s a dog growing up with a child, a cat offering comfort during tough times, or a small mammal providing quiet joy, every animal deserves a gentle, dignified farewell.
This journey—from appreciating the bond between humans and animals to guiding them in their final moments—has shaped me as a veterinarian and a person. It is my greatest honor to stand beside families during these tender times. I offer comfort and guidance, ensuring their pet receives love and respect until the very end.
At the core of my work is a profound respect for the special bond between people and their pets. What started as admiration has evolved into a lifelong dedication to helping families navigate one of the most emotional aspects of that bond – coping with the loss of a beloved pet. With compassion, calm, and over seven years of veterinary experience, I'm privileged to offer gentle, in-home euthanasia that cares for both pets and their owners, ensuring every goodbye is peaceful, dignified, and filled with love.
What inspired Dr. Cory to offer in-home euthanasia?
Dr. Cory was inspired to offer in-home pet euthanasia after witnessing how difficult it can be for families and pets to experience their final moments in a busy veterinary clinic. Many pets become anxious during car rides or when visiting the hospital, especially when they are already not feeling well.
She believed families deserved the option to say goodbye in a quieter, more familiar setting where pets could remain comfortable and surrounded by the people who love them most.
Through Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light, she focuses on creating a calm, compassionate experience that allows pets to remain in their favorite place at home while families are given the time and space they need to say goodbye.
Dr. Cory provides in-home pet euthanasia services for families throughout Bergen County, New Jersey and nearby Rockland County, New York, including communities such as Norwood, Closter, Harrington Park, Old Tappan, Northvale, Pearl River, and Nyack.
Her goal is to help pets pass peacefully and to guide families through one of the most difficult moments of loving a pet with care, compassion, and respect.
What experience does Dr. Cory have?
Dr. Cory Korsgen is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV) through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) and a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian (CPEV) through the Compassionate End-of-Life Training Academy (CAETA). These certifications reflect advanced training in providing compassionate end-of-life care and guiding families through the euthanasia process with sensitivity and respect.
Through this specialized training, Dr. Cory has focused on helping pets remain comfortable during their final stage of life while supporting families through difficult decisions. Her approach emphasizes gentle sedation, a calm environment, and allowing families the time and space they need to say goodbye.
Dr. Cory provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia services for families throughout Bergen County, New Jersey and nearby Rockland County, New York, including communities such as Norwood, Closter, Harrington Park, Old Tappan, Northvale, Pearl River, and Nyack.
Her goal is to ensure that pets experience a peaceful passing at home while families receive caring guidance during one of the most emotional moments of loving a pet.
How does Dr. Cory support families emotionally?
Families throughout Bergen County, New Jersey and nearby Rockland County, New York often look for guidance and emotional support when facing the decision to say goodbye to a beloved pet. Dr. Cory supports families by providing compassionate, in-home pet euthanasia that allows pets to remain in a familiar environment while families are given the time, space, and gentle guidance they need during this difficult moment.
During the visit, nothing is rushed. Dr. Cory takes time to talk with families, answer questions, and explain each step so everyone feels prepared and supported. Many families choose to sit with their pet, hold them, or simply be nearby while sharing quiet moments together.
She also encourages families to choose a location where their pet feels most comfortable, such as a favorite bed, couch, or quiet place in the home. Being in a familiar space often helps create a calmer and more peaceful experience for both pets and the people who love them.
Through Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light, Dr. Cory provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia for families in Norwood, Closter, Harrington Park, Old Tappan, Northvale, Demarest, Pearl River, Nyack, and surrounding communities in Bergen County, NJ and Rockland County, NY.
Her goal is to help pets pass peacefully while ensuring families feel supported and cared for throughout the entire experience.
What makes Dr. Cory’s approach different?
As a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV) and Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian (CPEV), Dr. Cory has advanced training in end-of-life care that focuses not only on the medical aspect of euthanasia but also on supporting families emotionally during this difficult moment. Families throughout Bergen County, New Jersey, and nearby Rockland County, New York, often seek a more personal and compassionate experience when saying goodbye to their pets.
Dr. Cory’s approach centers on providing a calm, unhurried in-home euthanasia visit where pets can remain in a familiar environment and families are supported every step of the way. She takes time to listen, answer questions, and gently guide families through the process so they know what to expect.
A thoughtful sedation protocol is used to help pets relax and fall into a deep, peaceful sleep before the final medication is administered.
Can Dr. Cory help with deciding when it’s time?
As a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV), Dr. Cory has specialized training in end-of-life care that helps her guide families through difficult decisions about their pet’s comfort and quality of life. Families throughout Bergen County, New Jersey and nearby Rockland County, New York often reach out when they are unsure if it may be time to consider euthanasia for their beloved pet.
During a conversation, Dr. Cory can help families look at important factors such as pain, mobility, appetite, breathing, and overall quality of life. Her goal is never to pressure families into a decision, but to provide thoughtful guidance so they can make the choice that feels most compassionate for their pet.
Many families find reassurance in having an experienced veterinarian talk through these changes and help them understand what their pet may be experiencing.
Does Dr. Cory provide aftercare and memorial options?
Yes. Families throughout Bergen County, New Jersey and nearby Rockland County, New York often want to know what options are available after their pet passes. Dr. Cory helps guide families through aftercare choices so they can select what feels most meaningful for them and their pet.
After the visit, Dr. Cory can help arrange cremation services, including options for communal cremation or private cremation with your pet’s ashes returned. Families who choose private cremation typically receive their pet’s ashes in a wooden urn along with a clay paw print as a keepsake.
Additional memorial options may also be available, such as ink paw prints or other keepsakes, allowing families to honor the special bond they shared with their pet.
Through Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light, compassionate in-home pet euthanasia and aftercare guidance is provided for families in Norwood, Closter, Harrington Park, Old Tappan, Northvale, Demarest, Pearl River, Nyack, and surrounding communities throughout Bergen County, NJ and Rockland County, NY.
These options allow families the opportunity to remember and celebrate their pet in a way that feels personal and meaningful.
What Areas in Bergen County, NJ Does Dr. Cory Serve?
Dr. Cory provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia services throughout Bergen County, New Jersey. Being able to say goodbye at home allows pets to remain in a familiar and comfortable environment surrounded by the people who love them.
Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light is based in Norwood, NJ and regularly serves families in Bergen County communities including:
• Norwood
• Closter
• Harrington Park
• Old Tappan
• Northvale
• Demarest
• Rockleigh
• Alpine
• Tenafly
• Cresskill
• Haworth
• Dumont
• Bergenfield
• Englewood
• Englewood Cliffs
• Teaneck
• Fort Lee
• Leonia
• Palisades Park
• Ridgefield
• Ridgefield Park
• Fairview
• Edgewater
• Cliffside Park
• Paramus
• River Edge
• New Milford
• Emerson
• Westwood
• Hillsdale
• Park Ridge
• Woodcliff Lake
• Saddle River
• Upper Saddle River
If you live in another nearby town in Bergen County, please feel free to reach out to see if in-home pet euthanasia services are available in your area.
What Areas in Rockland County, NY Does Dr. Cory Serve?
Dr. Cory also provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia services for families in Rockland County, New York. Many families choose an at-home service so their pet can remain peaceful and comfortable in their familiar surroundings.
Dr. Cory’s Guiding Light serves families in Rockland County communities including:
• Pearl River
• Blauvelt
• Sparkill
• Piermont
• Tappan
• Palisades
• Nyack
• West Nyack
• Nanuet
• New City
• Bardonia
• Valley Cottage
• Congers
• Montebello
• Suffern
• Airmont
• Chestnut Ridge
Families in other nearby communities in Rockland County are welcome to reach out to confirm service availability.