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What is a Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula or Pet Death Doula?
A companion animal end-of-life doula (CAD), also known as a pet death doula, is a trained professional who provides non-medical, non-judgmental support to animals nearing the end of their lives and their caregivers. They provide emotional and informational support, and work to complement the care provided by veterinarians, hospice, and palliative care.
Some services offered by a pet death doula can include:
End-of-Life and Advance Care Planning: Gathering relevant information and beneficial resources, and making plans for end-of-life wishes and after-death care.
Discussions: Facilitating safe and compassionate discussions about death and helping with decision-making.
Quality-of-Life Assessment Assistance: Helping assess your pet's quality of life during their final stages.
In-Home Support: Providing support during the end-of-life experience, including rituals and ceremonies.
Veterinary Clinic Support: Providing support during the end-of-life experience at the veterinary clinic.
Compassionate Presence: Creating a calm, nurturing environment during euthanasia or natural pet death, if requested.
Memorialization: Offering ways to memorialize your pet and celebrate your special bond.
Grief Support: Providing guidance and support throughout the grieving process, from anticipatory grief to post-death.
Bucket List Ideas.pdfWays to Memorialize Your Pet.pdfLinks to Resources
How do you know when it's time?
The Good Death article by Dr. Mel Newton
A Good Death another article
How Do I Know When It's Time? an article by Paws at Peace
Ohio State University Medical Veterinary Center article & quality of life scale (PDF)
Lap of Love Quality of Life Scale
Journey's Home Quality of Life Scale
Anticipatory Grief
How to Deal with Anticipatory Grief article by Lap of Love
Coping with Anticipatory Grief (YouTube video)
When the weight of anticipatory grief feels overwhelming, a simple mantra like, "You're here now," can become a powerful grounding tool. By saying it out loud while looking at your beloved companion, it can anchor you to the present moment and help shift focus to the time you still have together. Initially, this reminder may be needed often, but over time, those thoughts can begin to quiet naturally, making it easier to be present without constant prompting. In those quieter moments, it becomes clear that the greatest gift is simply being fully there- treasuring each moment without letting the worries of tomorrow overshadow the joys of today.
Pre-Planning and Aftercare
Pre-Planning and Pet Aftercare (PDF)
Other Pets
Should Other Pets Be Present When We Say Goodbye?
How to Support a Grieving Pet (PDF)
Children and Pet Loss
Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Pet
How to Help A Child Grieving A Beloved Pet (PDF)
Coping with Pet Loss and Grief
Coping with the Loss of a Companion Animal (PDF)
Pet Loss Grief: The Pain Explained (YouTube video)
The Emotional Costs of Euthanasia (YouTube video)
Pet Loss and Bereavement Support Groups
Oradell Animal Hospital offers online bereavement sessions hosted by a licensed social worker twice a month.
Argus Institute Pet Loss Support Group is available online via Zoom every Thursday.
Pet Loss Partners offers online chat rooms, virtual support groups and one-on-one support.
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers video support groups on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. EST.
Cornell University Pet Loss Support provides a hotline available at (607) 218-7457 on Sundays and Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. EST.
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.”
-- Jamie Anderson
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