Animal Chaplains provide support to both humans and animals through life’s many experiences using the skills of compassionate companionship. Animal Chaplains often help in areas related to caring for sick and dying animals, grief and loss, promoting human+animal bonds, and advocating for animals. In all this work, we acknowledge the spiritual and sacred nature of all beings, and of our relationships with them.

In my own work as an animal chaplain, I am here to companion you especially during the difficult and confusing time of preparing to say goodbye to a beloved animal companion, or when grieving their loss.

I also support animal care professionals who may find themselves struggling with the emotional and spiritual complexities often encountered in work dedicated to helping animals.

I am here for you through all the joys and sorrows that sharing our world with animals brings!

My specialties include:

• working with human caregivers as they support animal companions moving through end-of-life

• helping caregivers navigate and ease grief following the loss of a beloved animal companion

• supporting animal care professionals (such as veterinarians, vet techs, animal trainers, and shelter or rescue workers) to reconnect with meaning in their beautiful work to save others and overcome challenges related to compassion fatigue, empathic distress, and burn out.

Phone or virtual offerings are available to anyone. In-person offerings are available to anyone in New Mexico (additional travel fees may be required if you are outside the Albuquerque metro area).

Short answer: not necessarily.

As a chaplain, I am non-denominational, inter-faith & inter-species. This means that when we work together, our discussions will honor the wisdom tradition or spiritual path that you hold…or honor that you do not hold to a particular path or tradition! If we decide to work with rituals together, or plan a memorial service, they will again incorporate your own beliefs or traditions in whatever way you prefer.

During any chaplaincy offering, we will meet either over-the-phone, virtually via Zoom, or in-person. Meetings always include a chance to speak deeply about your experience, and explore pathways to discover or celebrate meaning within it. These pathways might include practical planning or preparation, elements of meditation and mindfulness, ritual, prayer or blessing, all dependent on you and your individual experience and needs.

Different services are available depending on your current experience.

End-of-Life Support services (also known as End-of-Life Doulaing services) are here to help if you are caring for a dying animal, and preparing to say goodbye.

Loss & Grief Support services are here if you have recently (or not so recently) lost an animal companion.

Animal Professional Support services are here if you are working professionally (or volunteering) in an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or as an animal trainer.

Be sure to explore the “Offerings” page to learn more about the different options for each area.