Animal Companions Are Family: Bringing Pet Death Doula Services to Volusia County and Beyond

Our pets aren’t just animals we share our homes with—they’re woven into the fabric of our lives. They greet us at the door, follow us from room to room, and seem to know exactly when we need comfort. They’re part of our family.

When their health begins to decline, or we have to say goodbye, the grief runs just as deep as it would for any loved one. Loving them means feeling that loss fully.

When a beloved pet passes away, the loss itself can feel overwhelming—but alongside the grief, there are so many decisions and details to face. There’s the practical side: making arrangements for their remains, gathering their belongings, deciding what to do with collars, harnesses, beds, stalls, and bowls that suddenly feel like sacred keepsakes. And then there’s the emotional work, which can’t be rushed—learning how to move through the quiet moments without their familiar presence, processing memories that bring both comfort and ache, and finding ways to honor the joy they brought into our lives. It’s a lot to carry, both in our hands and in our hearts.

This is where I come in, offering advocacy and support to pet parents and animal owners across Volusia County, Florida, and beyond, through in-person and online pet death doula services.

What Is a Pet Death Doula or Pet End-of-Life Doula?

An end-of-life doula for pets offers compassionate, non-medical support to both the animal and their human family during the final stages of life. They help pet owners navigate difficult decisions with clarity and care, from understanding quality-of-life signs to creating a peaceful plan for the pet’s passing. This can include coordinating with veterinarians, guiding families through home euthanasia options, and helping set up a calm, comforting environment for those last moments together. They also provide emotional support—holding space for grief, sharing memorial ideas, and helping families process the transition before, during, and after their pet’s passing—ensuring no one has to go through it alone.

Whether you need to process your pet's end-of-life needs, create a practical care plan to move forward, or you would like to honor and memorialize your best friend, I can help you on your journey toward comfort and healing.

Pet Services at Empowered Pathways

I am an animal lover and lifelong pet companion. As a certified end-of-life doula and someone who is around horses, dogs, and cats regularly, I assist Volusia County families and pet parents nationwide who need gentle, helpful assistance with processing their grief, memorializing their pet, or planning their pet's end-of-life needs.

My Pet Doula Services include:

• Free Phone or Text Consults for Pet Parents

• Nature Walks in Port Orange, FL, to discuss your pet's end-of-life needs or process grief (can bring your animal companion if desired)

• Barn Visits in Volusia County, FL, to discuss and support your pet's end-of-life needs

• Virtual Pet Memorial or Legacy Project Planning

• Doula Texting Support Services for Pet Parents

• 30-min Pet Zoom Planning Sessions

• In-Home Pet Reiki Services in Port Orange, New Smyrna, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Ponce Inlet, Wilbur-by-the-Sea, and Daytona Beach Shores.

• Pet Companion Distance Reiki via Zoom from anywhere in the world

• Pet Vigil Visits in Volusia County, FL

• Virtual Pet Vigil Visits

From Memorial Projects to End-of-Life Advocacy: Pet Doula Services at Empowered Pathways

Pet doula services offer a gentle, steady hand during one of the most tender chapters of life with an animal companion. By assisting with logistics, offering guidance, and providing a safe space for emotions, a pet doula helps ease the stress that can so easily overshadow these precious final days. Their presence allows pet parents to stay grounded in the moments that matter most—sharing love, offering comfort, and simply being present with their pet. In the midst of uncertainty and heartache, a pet doula helps create an environment where goodbyes can be as peaceful, intentional, and love-filled as the life that came before them.

Visit the Pet Doula Services page to learn more and book a service. If you have any questions about the programs or classes that may be right for you, please email me at support@empoweredeol.com.

-Jessica