After Toby was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2025, I decided not to pursue additional treatment. With limited options available and Toby’s strong dislike of going to the vet, I didn’t want his remaining time to be consumed with appointments, side effects, and stress. Instead, I chose hospice for him and I spent as much time as I could with him, doing what we enjoyed. As months wore on, I knew it was inevitable that the cancers would take a toll on his body. He was already experiencing significant behavioral changes. Our main “weapon” was weekly acupuncture treatment at home followed by constant attention to his mood and needs. Caregiving for a sick dog is not easy and if you’re reading this, you understand the mental toll it can take on you. I’m forever grateful I was introduced to Amelia Savage. Her insights, thoughtfulness, and compassion helped me begin to accept that Toby’s hospice care would eventually require my intervention. I needed to be prepared to make the most difficult decision of my life and be at peace with it. I encourage anyone that has a dog fighting cancer to contact Amelia. Learning how to prepare for your dog’s death is never easy but Amelia made it manageable and I know I couldn’t have done it without her. Read more about her and how she can help you in her own words.

How would you describe what a death doula is? What inspired you to become one and what drew you to this compassionate work?

A death doula is a non-medical professional who provides emotional and logistic support by accompanying someone through the death and dying process, either for themselves or a loved one. Doulas are typically not vets, therapists or grief counselors, but support the things that are outside the scope of those other services. My specialization is in animal death, which tends to be mainly dogs and horses, but can be any companionate animal.

I came to this work through my reverence for all animals, but specifically horses. When I got back into horses as an adult, I kept hearing heart-wrenching stories from other owners about how tragically things went at the end of their horse’s life. Many of them carried regret for years, wishing they’d done things differently if only they’d known what they learned after going through it just once.

With my professional background, I understood that the worst time to make decisions is in the middle of a traumatic event, and yet that’s exactly when most people will have to decide how and when their beloved animals will die. I realized how helpful it could be to have someone who is familiar with both the dying process and the landscape of death services, and who can support both people and animals through it with the necessary compassion and skill.

Veterinarians have a critical role in animal health care, but they’re often carrying their own compassion fatigue, and friends or family may not always be the right support in such a deeply idiosyncratic moment. The relationships we have with animals can be as significant as any other familial relationship, so I wanted to offer something different: individualized support that honors unique relationships and beliefs while advocating for the greatest good of the animal.

How would you describe your philosophy or approach when supporting pets and their families through the end of life?

My approach is to meet people wherever they are, understand their needs and concerns, and help find the best path forward given their current circumstances. At the very least, I want animals to have a peaceful passing, and for people to have more ease making that possible.

I study thanatology, and am very interested in how different animals perceive death. Part of my role is to accommodate any other animals who remain and may be affected by the loss of their herd/pack/family member.

What is the most important advice you have for pet parents facing the loss of their beloved animal?

The most important advice I can give for any pet parent, no matter their animals’ age or health, is to acknowledge that none of our animals will live forever, and at some point we’ll be responsible for managing their death. It’s uncomfortable for most people to even consider this, but avoiding it only makes the moment more distressing when it inevitably comes.

From a place of acceptance, we can start to imagine what a best-case scenario might look like for our final time together, and prepare for it. That can mean considering scenarios ahead of time, budgeting for end-of-life costs, and becoming familiar with the options available. It’s worthwhile considering what a good death could look like because it can reduce some of the surprises down the road.

I also think it’s important for everyone to understand that for domestic animals, a “natural death” rarely happens the way we imagine. Aging and illness can bring long periods of discomfort, and the occasional good days can create a false sense of hope that they might somehow avoid dying. The reality is that our animals rely on us to make decisions that protect them from suffering. It can be excruciating for us, but it can also be the deepest and most selfless act of love we ever give them to free them from suffering.

Can you walk us through what a typical session or process looks like when working with someone and their pet?

We usually start with a brief phone call to establish if there is a good match between my services and the client’s needs. From there, I will either come to their home or meet on Zoom for a longer session, whichever makes sense. There is a very organic process that unfolds from there every time I work with a new client. No two sessions or clients have been similar so far!

Why should someone engage with you?

The bonds we share with animals are among the most meaningful relationships in our lives. I know the depth of loving a dog with your whole heart, and the complexity of grappling with mortality. Having someone experienced by your side in that moment can bring calm, clarity, and support when it’s needed most. What I practice is compassionate, nonjudgmental guidance so people can honor the love and life they shared with their animal. They can find out more about me on my website, innersavage.c