Willow Greenwood
Pet Loss Specialist
Before, During, and After Pet Loss
we're with you every step of the way
Animals play an important role in our lives. The deep bond we form with animals can be life-altering. My belief is that these special friends deserve dignified, peaceful deaths, respectful after-care, and beautiful remembrances.
Unquestionably, many pet parents and professionals need loving guidance before, during, and after the loss of an animal companion.
My calling is to help you and your animal friend navigate their end-of-life journey. My heart lies in offering you both compassion, kindness, and understanding.
Thoughts & Beliefs
- Take time to consider any previous pet losses.
- Examine your personal or religious beliefs about death, and how you imagine your pet’s transition and end-of-life.
Options & Decisions
- Review the end-of-life options available to you and your animal companion.
- Based on your thoughts, feelings, and options, you will be able to make the best decisions for you and your pet.
Enacting Plan
- Now is the time to enact the plan you made for your beloved pet’s transition.
- Even with the best intentions, things don’t always go as planned. Please keep this in mind as your pet nears end-of-life.
Healing After Loss
- People will tell you to let go and move on with your life, but they don’t tell you how.
- Time won’t heal your grief.
- We can help
- You are not alone
Is your pet nearing end-of-life?
Are you feeling confused and lost?
Do you need a friendly ear or a helping hand?
Death is one of life’s saddest and most certain realities. If you have a pet or work with animals professionally, you have or will experience the painful loss of an animal companion or patient.
Your pet does not have to be actively dying to talk to or work with a Pet Loss Specialist. Sometimes a simple conversation to discuss your concerns and fears around the loss of your pet can be helpful.
My Path to Grief Recovery
I came to this work after the loss of my heart dog, Major Bunny. We adopted Bunny from the local shelter. During the meet/greet with our two dogs, everything seemed fine. It was only when he had been in our home for a few days that I began to notice some issues.
He wanted to be close, but if you ran your hand down his left side, he whined and moved away. After he became more comfortable with me, I could feel a large bump on one of his rib bones. I can only guess it was from an old injury.
I worked from home, and our other two dogs would crowd around me on the sofa. He wanted to join us. Being ten, he needed help getting up. The first time I attempted to pick him up, he turned into the Tasmanian Devil. He squirmed around, growled, reared back, and bit me multiple times, drawing blood. I cannot describe how shocked I was that this older seemingly docile boy was hiding a rabid dog inside.
Anyone else would have probably returned him to the shelter. I considered the situation. He was dumped at the shelter at age 10, after his family divorced. He would now be considered a biter. Based on my volunteer work, I knew that if I returned him to the shelter, it was a death sentence.
Instead, we built steps to the bed and the sofa so he could come and go as he pleased. Unless 100% necessary, we never touched his back end. After six months, he would ask for pets. I don’t think Bunny had ever had a toy, but after another six months, he began playing with my husband.
After three years, his health began to fail rapidly. The prognosis, along with his age, was grim. We decided to release him from his obvious discomfort and confusion.
Despite his questionable behavior, he was my love and I was suffering unbearably. While seeking help from the pain, I found the Grief Recovery Institute. From the first moment, I realized I was in the right place at the right time. You may find you are too!
As I began the work, I became aware of all the grief in my life. There was so much I had never healed from or even begun to process. The Grief Recovery Institute’s research has shown that there are 40+ types of loss that can cause you to experience grief. Click here to learn more.
You Don't Have to Wait Any Longer.
