Honoring the bond that never breaks

Bridging the Gap aims to honor the human-animal bond. My love for and deep connection with animals has led me to be in service to them and their human companions. My goal is to help bring peace and comfort to those that I serve. Many of my own have been rescued or rehomed to me. Animals are among some of the purest beings I have ever met. They have much to teach us. This is some of the most rewarding work that I will ever do.

Our relationship with animals has changed. For a long time, we looked at animals as tools. In many cultures, their value was largely tied to their practical roles for our survival—such as livestock for food, horses for travel, or dogs for hunting and protection. They served a purpose. We used them to hunt, to herd, and to haul. We looked at animals as inferior to humans. We disregarded them. We assumed that they lacked any capacity to learn, feel, recognize us, or form bonds.

As society has evolved, so have our opinions. We have started changing our perception toward them. Many of us now see them as companions. They’re members of our families. We acknowledge that they have a lot to give, that we learn from them, and we form very deep and very real bonds with them. For some, they restore purpose. They give us someone to provide for, someone who depends on us. If we’re struggling emotionally, they give us something to focus on. They bring comfort, love, and companionship. They help to soothe our anxieties and ease our sadness.

We advocate for them and invest in their medical care. As research has shown that animals can experience love, joy, fear, and grief, we’ve come to understand that our connection to animals goes far beyond simple companionship—it is a reciprocal relationship built on respect, empathy, and emotional exchange.

We recognize that they are sentient beings with their own needs, feelings, and experiences. Werecognize their autonomy, The awareness that animals can be both emotional and spiritual partners in our lives has brought about a profound shift in how we care for and relate to them.

We give them hospice and palliative care, we mourn them, we memorialize them, and give them funerals. Our grief and dedication is an expression of our love for them.

As an end-of-life animal doula and a hospice and palliative care advocate, the work that I do is non-medical. This means that your regular veterinarian is still in charge of their care. I work in conjunction with your veterinarian, the hospice veterinarian, and any other key players in your animal's life. This may include acupuncturists, dog walkers, groomers, and any other staff involved in your animal's care.