What is an Animal End-of-Life Doula?

Animal End-of-Life Doula work is relatively new and has gained more visibility in recent years with the increase in pet ownership.

What is a Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula, and Do I Need One?

By Michelle A McKenzie

The grief comes in waves. Too much to bear and then gone. Then again. When we lose our companion animal, the pain is often extraordinary and is sometimes compounded with doubt and guilt. Did I do the right thing? Did I let her go too soon? Did I let him suffer? Why does it hurt so much?

Losing an animal can be much more painful than losing a family member because we love each other unconditionally. This is because it’s such a purely uncomplicated and very real relationship.

And for those suffering from this loss or anticipating it, a companion animal end-of-life doula might be just the person we need to help us through this time that is filled with questions and grief.

Animal death doula (or end-of-life doula) work is relatively new and has gained more visibility in recent years with the increase in pet ownership (70% of American households have an animal). And we are creating more important relationships with our animals. They are our friends, family, and even our children. Interest in communicating with our animals continues to grow in the US as we try to better understand and provide for their needs.

For some, they’re the reason to get up in the morning. This non-medical person provides nonjudgmental, holistic support to those whose companion animals are nearing the end of life or has just died. An Animal End-of-Life Doula assists in making the road ahead an intimate, sacred, and rich experience for everyone involved, whether medical support is required or not.

Do I need an Animal End-of-Life Doula?

When we have doubts about how to do the best for our animal, when anticipatory grief blinds us, a doula can empower us to ask the right questions of our veterinarian, make informed decisions regarding our animal’s wellbeing, help us choose holistic care methods that might help our animals in conjunction with our veterinarian’s help. A doula can create a plan that fits our unique situation following a terminal prognosis.

When choices are made with awareness, the possibility of future regret is greatly reduced!

What can I expect from an Animal End-of-Life Doula?

While each doula offers different expertise, most will offer some or all of the following:

End-of-Life Plan – The end-of-life plan is a discussion on the specifics of our animal’s end-of-life journey. This includes what we would like to see happen during this time and review available resources, such as holistic modalities that can complement Western medicine.
Hospice Support – Hospice care setup is individual and designed for each animal, gives you a quality-of-life chart to use with your animal for decision-making and discussions with your team, assesses your goals, beliefs, concerns, and financial constraints, and even speaks with your doctor if you like.
Euthanasia Support – A doula is a sounding board for clients to discuss euthanasia and if it’s necessary at that time, as well as reviewing your animal’s quality-of-life chart and talking with your vet if you like.
Natural Death support—A doula can help us look at how a natural death looks and whether it’s an option for our animal or the family.
Ritual and Ceremony planning—A doula can create rituals and ceremonies for you and your family, bringing more spirituality into this time we have left together.
Self-care and comfort support—This is a time for self-care, and the doula can help you choose the best methods to support you at that time.
Memorial Keepsakes – A doula can help us consider a variety of options available and suggest resources for them.
Help with creating a good transition for our companion!

Talk to a doula you are considering and find out what they offer. What are their views on euthanasia vs. natural death? Do they have any religious affiliations that might clash with your own? If they have a website, read it and make notes of questions to ask.

Doulas are not regulated by a governing body, so they can offer their strengths to their clients, meaning they might not be strong in ritual and ceremony or some other area that may or may not be important to you. Still, they are very strong in their knowledge of other aspects that you feel are crucial.

While an Animal End-of-Life Doula doesn’t replace our veterinarian, she can be an important part of our team as we prepare to help our animal have a good death. A doula will help navigate our options for this end-of-life journey through knowledge, experience, and resources in a manner that will make this time peaceful, respectful, and meaningful.

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About the Author

Michelle A. McKenzie is a certified spiritual life coach and companion animal end-of-life doula. She is also an animal Reiki master, teacher, writer, and mom to a houseful of nonhumans. www.MyPurposePath.com www.Facebook.com/mypurposepath