The Hardest Day is about the power of the human-animal bond
in its last moments and the individuals who help navigate along the way. It
provides an unprecedented glimpse into the work of the compassionate
veterinarians who help provide a peaceful passing to pets as their parents bid
them a final goodbye at home. The documentary is a beautiful, yet somber,
testimony to the powerful love shared by all involved.
The Hardest Day had a successful run on the festival
circuit, appearing in nearly 30 national and international film festivals
across the country throughout 2020 and 2021. It won numerous awards including
Best Documentary Long at the 2020 American Golden Picture International Film
Festival, Best Director at the 2020 Silver State Film Festival, and an Award of
Excellence at the 2020 BEA Festival of Media Arts.
The film originally began as a photographic series by
Pulitzer Prize-nominated photographer Ross Taylor. The photos have been
published worldwide and have been seen by millions of people. Recognizing that
he could portray the power of the human-animal bond better on video than in
photos, Taylor partnered with filmmaker Luke Rafferty and the project evolved
into a documentary. “The power of the human-animal bond fascinates me,” says
Taylor. “This film is a tribute to that bond and to those who bring comfort on
the hardest day of that relationship.”
The 54-minute film is available at no charge through the
generosity of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and Gateway Services, Inc. It was filmed in
Tampa, FL, and features Lap of Love veterinarians.
“We’re so honored to be included in this meaningful
documentary. It provides a beautiful look at Lap of Love’s doctors as we
provide a peaceful, dignified passing to pets in the comfort of their own home,
while at the same time providing compassion and care to the people who love
them,” says Dr. Dani McVety, founder and CEO of Lap of Love.
Lap of Love is the nation’s largest provider of in-home,
end-of-life veterinary care including teleadvice, hospice, euthanasia, and pet
loss support. We believe that all pets deserve a peaceful end-of-life
experience, in the comfort of their home, in the embrace of their favorite
people, because pets are family.