Jacqueline Chadinha-Branca has been in southern Florida for the past 20 years with 13 years in Lake Worth Beach. Her heart and passion for saving and helping animals have led to her rescuing many cats and parrots over the years. Jacqueline started a publishing business in the pet industry 20 years ago – “Pet Planet” magazine and “Pet Junction” directory let Jacqueline and Juanique help rescue organizations throughout South Florida by giving them in-kind marketing and advertising. She has also been active in the feline catch-and-release programs, specifically in Lake Worth Beach.

In 2018 they were brainstorming about what business they could open together and how the two of them could make a difference and serve the local communities. They knew that there was a high demand for afterlife pet care services and always felt that something was missing when a pet passed away. Their dream was to create an uplifting environment for people to come and celebrate their pets at the time of its passing and to remember their furry friend in the future.

Gentle Pet Crossing is allowing Jacqueline and Juanique to continue their passion for working with the community and making sure your pet gets the best afterlife care possible. Their two-year journey has finally become a reality.

Jacqueline and Juanique also stay occupied raising their daughter who loves all their furry and feathery friends.

Juanique Chadinha-Branca is passionate about being helpful and making a difference but specifically about volunteering and changing people’s lives and communities. She is motivated and determined to make a difference one person – or pet – at a time.

Besides volunteering at different community events throughout her lifetime, the ones she remembers the most are her trip to Rwanda, Africa, in 2006 and her multiple trips with the Bahamas Relief Cruise in 2019.

Since Juanique moved from South Africa in 2001, she has lived and visited various cities and states. It wasn’t until she spent time in Lake Worth Beach that she finally felt like she was home, or as home as she could be in a foreign country. Juanique has fallen in love with Lake Worth Beach: the city, the people and the community.

Juanique and Jacqueline love being involved and supporting the local businesses because they genuinely care about the city and community. That is why Gentle Pet Crossing is not part of a major corporation and is its own local family-owned business.

Dr. Rachel Thauberger is our partnered veterinarian and has been in practice since 1987.  For 15 years, she has assisted with compassionate home euthanasia services in the South Florida area.

Her philosophy is centered on ensuring the highest quality of life for pets. The final loving gift you can bestow on your pet is the release from suffering through a pain-free, comfortable process. In-home euthanasia services allow you to preserve your pet’s dignity and stay with them in a place they feel the safest, and happiest, and lets your family have ample time to say goodbye.

She truly cares that each pet has as comfortable and gentle a passage as is possible to give them.  We are not shortening their life, we are shortening their death; we help move them from prolonged distress to a short and peaceful transition.  Every pet is happiest at home with the people they love.

Dr. Thauberger provides home euthanasia and aftercare services in affiliation with Gentle Pet Crossing. She also offers help with the euthanasia decision, discussions about your pet’s quality of life, information about signs of suffering, cremation transport, and grief support resources.