Held by the Herd: Pet Loss Support

Held by the Herd: A Donkey-Supported Gathering for Pet Loss & Anticipatory Grief

This donkey-assisted gathering is for those grieving the loss of a beloved animal companion — whether recent or long ago — and for those caring for an aging or ill pet while carrying the quiet weight of anticipatory grief.

There is a kind of grief that comes with loving an animal that can feel hard to put into words. It’s not only missing their physical presence, but the loss of the routines, companionship, and bond that shaped everyday life.

After my own experiences with loss and caregiving, I became deeply aware of how profoundly these experiences affect not only the heart, but the nervous system and our sense of safety within ourselves.

This will be a gentle, donkey-supported space where pet loss is understood and honored without needing to explain.

Rather than a traditional support group, we’ll spend quiet time with the donkeys, allowing their quiet, steady presence to create a little more breathing room for both the grief and the love, and for gently coming back to ourselves, too.

My hope is that this space gently supports people in reconnecting with the love and connection that are still there, even alongside the grief.

This gathering is shaped not only by my personal experiences with animal loss and caregiving, but also by years of supporting animals and their humans as a professional animal communicator, Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner, and Healing Touch for Animals practitioner.

The gathering is intentionally small and limited to six people.