INTER-SPECIES Spiritual Support Services
Support for Beings of Any Species or Belief System
Animal Chaplain Services
As an ordained animal chaplain, I provide compassionate, interspecies spiritual and holistic care to all beings, domestic or wild, free living or captive.
I offer a sacred, non-judgmental space, deeply respecting the spiritual interconnectedness of all life where all individuals are supported, honoring grief and celebrating joyous moments with empathy and optimism.
My Animal Chaplain ordination training was completed with Compassion Consortium, and is complemented by professional certifications as a Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula, Let Animals Lead® Animal Reiki teacher, L.E.G.S. Family Dog Mediator™ , CPDT Professional Dog Trainer, and Certified Wildlife Habitat Steward.
I offer interspecies mindfulness support to all beings, inclusive of all species and belief systems. My guidance helps individuals build enduring connections beyond the physical realm through memorialization and rituals. I assist animal caregivers, from individuals to professionals, in navigating challenges such as veterinary care, critical illness or injury, behavioral euthanasia, and grief. Additionally, I support individuals and organizations in addressing compassion fatigue.
My purpose is to bridge the gap between human and animal well-being, promoting a world where all creatures are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. Committed to advocating for all species affected by grief, exploitation, abuse, or neglect, and for the preservation of wild habitats and ecosystems, for the benefit of all, I look forward to connecting with you.
How An Animal Chaplain Can Serve You
Animal chaplains provide a supportive space of non-judgment and deep listening, allowing them to be present with others’ words, emotions, and experiences, thereby creating a space for others to be truly heard and understood.
“I greet you from the other side of sorrow and despair, with a love so vast and shattered it will reach you everywhere.” ~Leonard Cohen
The deep connection we share with our animal companions often leads to profound grief upon their passing, yet the people around us frequently misunderstand this sorrow. Friends, co-workers, and even family members may minimize our pain, expecting us to simply "get over it and move on," leaving our grief disenfranchised. Sometimes this disenfranchisement adds feelings of shame or guilt to our suffering. Animal chaplains help you navigate these complex emotions, legitimizing the depth of your grief experience and supporting you as you move toward healing your grief.
And, animal chaplains are here to support you with more than the sorrow and grief of loss. We also help you create meaning in happier times, such as welcoming a new animal companion into your family, and celebrating “Gotcha Days” and other meaningful milestones in your life together.
Ceremonies, rituals, memorials, and celebrations carry symbolic meanings that are significant in marking important moments, reinforcing beliefs, and altering our internal state. Welcoming a new animal family member with a celebration marks a joyous moment in time, and continuing to observe their “Gotcha Day” throughout their life and beyond deepens and sustains the shared bond of love. Honoring the memory of a lost animal companion through ceremonies, rituals, and memorials can be a beautiful way to heal loss. These acts help us maintain a connection with their spirit, celebrating their unique wisdom and the experiences we shared throughout their life.
A Glimpse into the Services Provided
As an ordained animal chaplain, I provide compassionate, interspecies spiritual and “whole-istic” care, inclusive of all species and belief systems. I serve individuals, families, animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, hospice organizations, veterinary professionals, and other animal-related groups, offering care for animals and their caregivers, and assisting in welcoming new animal companions.
- Create funerals or memorials for a beloved animal companion
- Support you in processing grief after an animal loss
- Welcome a new member into your family
- Celebrate the life of your animal companion, surrounded by friends and family
- Honor and celebrate your animal-human connection
- Share support for you and your staff through organizational challenges and difficult losses, including compassion fatigue and related trauma (for animal organizations, veterinary offices, ancillary veterinary support organizations, animal rescue groups, animal sanctuaries, and more)
- Offer a supportive and non-judgmental presence during euthanasia, in-person or virtually - similar to “telehealth”
- Compassionate conversations around issues with a human-wildlife conflict
- Provide practical guidance and both emotional and spiritual support for navigating an animal’s final stage of life due to a terminal diagnosis, critical illness, or injury, in partnership with your veterinary team
CURRENTLY OFFERED SERVICES:
- Individual Support
- Organizational Support
- Personalized Memorial Service
- Sacred Journey Ceremony
- Sacred Journey Memorial Blessing
- Celebrations, including GOTCHA! Day, Birthday, Special Event, and Life Achievement Parties
- Private Individual or Small Group Animal Blessings
- Euthanasia Support
- Free Offerings