Dr. Courtney Mills, DVM
Founder, Veterinarian

My Path to This Work

I grew up on the south shore of Long Island, New York, and later earned both my undergraduate and veterinary degrees at Cornell University. Over the past 10 years, my career has taken me from general practice into the work that has always felt most aligned with who I am, supporting families through the final chapter of a pet’s life.

Early on, I began noticing that the cases that stayed with me most were not always the ones defined by the outcome, they were the ones defined by the relationship. I found myself returning again and again to the same kind of conversations, the quiet, honest ones about comfort, dignity, grief, and what it means to honor a bond all the way to the end. Over time, I also realized that traditional clinical settings can make these conversations difficult to fully hold, not because anyone is doing something wrong, but because time is limited and so much of end-of-life care happens at home. In 2020, I transitioned to focus exclusively on end-of-life care. For the last five to six years, my work and continuing education have been fully centered on hospice, palliative support, and at-home euthanasia techniques.

In 2024, my husband, our 13-year-old Border Collie mix Delilah, and I moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to be closer to family and to give Delilah, like so many New Yorkers, a chance to enjoy the sunshine state. I am also the founder of Elderise, created for the space that exists right before and during end-of-life decision-making, when most people are carrying the same questions and worries, but often carrying them alone.

How I Approach End-of-Life Care

I believe a peaceful goodbye begins with feeling supported. It begins with being seen, being heard, and having the room to talk honestly about what is changing in your pet and in your home. My role is to offer steadiness and clarity without pushing an agenda, and to meet each family where they are, emotionally, practically, and personally.

I approach this work with gentleness and with respect for the bond in front of me. I take my time, I explain what matters, and I let go of what does not. I hold space for nuance, because end-of-life decisions are not one-size-fits-all. Every pet is different, every household is different, and what is possible for one family may not be possible for another. Elderise exists to bridge that gap with guidance and education that feels human, grounded, and truly supportive, so families can make informed decisions with less fear and more confidence.