As the landscape of pet care evolves, the intersection of veterinary medicine, grief support, and holistic care has led to the emergence of new roles that emphasize emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being. One such role is that of the death doula, a non-clinical professional trained to provide supportive, compassionate presence at the end of life. While death doulas have long served in human hospice settings, their presence in pet euthanasia is gaining traction. While I consider myself very strong at supporting the needs of my clients, I feel adding a death doula to my team would be of great value.
What Is a Death Doula?
A death doula is a trained (typically) non-medical support person who assists individuals and families during the dying process. Their services are based on principles of compassionate presence, emotional support, education, and ritual facilitation. Unlike medical professionals, doulas do not provide clinical care or diagnosis. Instead, they offer guidance, advocacy, and companionship during a period often marked by confusion, grief, and emotional overwhelm (1).
Death doulas typically assist with:
- Navigating anticipatory grief
- Planning end-of-life rituals or legacy projects
- Holding space during the active dying phase
- Supporting family members through the final moments and early bereavement
The Need for Greater Emotional Support
Pet euthanasia can be emotionally devastating for pet owners. The grief is real and often disenfranchised, meaning society may not fully recognize the depth of the loss (2). While veterinarians provide critical medical services and compassionate care, time constraints, clinical boundaries, and emotional fatigue can limit their ability to offer necessary emotional support. This is where death doulas come in. They complement the veterinarian’s work by:
- Preparing families for what to expect emotionally and procedurally
- Helping them explore the meaning and legacy of their relationship with the pet
- Creating rituals or spaces for grief expression
- Supporting children, elders, or other household animals impacted by the loss
By offering this continuity of care, doulas can reduce trauma, improve coping, and elevate the overall experience for grieving pet families.
Roles of Death Doulas in Pet Euthanasia
If I had a death doula on my team, here is how I would put their talents to good use.
1. Pre-Euthanasia Preparation – Doulas help families understand the dying process and normalize the emotional terrain they are about to navigate. Some doulas also assist in creating farewell ceremonies, such as writing goodbye letters, choosing music, or creating a comfort-focused environment for the animal’s last moments.
2. Emotional Presence During the Procedure – During euthanasia, doulas are often physically present to anchor the space, offering a grounding presence to clients, advocating for emotional needs (such as giving enough time before and after), and helping families remain focused on their connection with the animal rather than procedural details.
3. Post-Euthanasia Grief Support – After euthanasia, families may feel numb, shocked, or filled with doubt. Death doulas assist by offering early grief processing, helping families navigate aftercare options (cremation, burial, memorialization), and making follow-up calls or visits. They also refer clients to pet loss support groups, counselors, or other therapeutic resources. This type of continuity can help mitigate complicated grief and foster healthier emotional outcomes (3).
Ethical and Practical Considerations of Doula Inclusion
While the presence of death doulas in veterinary settings is largely welcomed, it raises important questions about professional boundaries, communication, and collaboration.
It is essential that doulas:
- Do not give medical advice or intervene in clinical procedures
- Respect the leadership of the veterinary team
- Understand basic animal behavior and end-of-life physiology
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
Progressive veterinary practices, especially those offering home euthanasia or hospice, are exploring collaborations with doulas. This team-based model enables better emotional care, enhanced communication, and reduced burden on the veterinarian. Veterinarians, in turn, remain open to the emotional support doulas offer, especially when time or emotional capacity is limited. Strong communication and role clarity help ensure the euthanasia process remains safe, ethical, and family-centered.
It’s also important to recognize that veterinary medicine has been expanding relationships with social workers who already fulfill many of the doula’s roles. The main difference between a pet death doula and a licensed veterinary social worker lies in scope and credentials. A pet death doula provides non-clinical emotional, spiritual, and logistical support during a companion animal’s end-of-life journey, focusing on presence and ritual without offering mental health treatment. In contrast, a licensed veterinary social worker is a clinically trained professional, often with a master’s degree in social work, who can offer therapeutic interventions, crisis support, and grief counseling under legal licensure. Both roles are deeply compassionate, but veterinary social workers operate within regulated healthcare frameworks, while doulas provide more holistic and informal care.
Closing Thoughts
The inclusion of death doulas in pet euthanasia represents a paradigm shift toward relational, holistic, and emotionally responsive care. Their role complements medical decision-making by honoring what’s important to everyone. As societal values continue to evolve and more families seek enriched end-of-life experiences for their pets, the presence of death doulas is poised to become an invaluable part of compassionate euthanasia care.
References
- Russo, M., 2022. What is a death doula? Understanding end-of-life support for humans and pets. Veterinary Practice News. https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/the-good-death-revolution-companion-animal-euthanasia-in-the-modern-age/
- Lagoni, L., Butler, C., & Hetts, S., 1994. The Human-Animal Bond and Grief. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
- Adams, C.L., Bonnett, B.N., & Meek, A.H., 2000. Predictors of veterinarian-client agreement about decisions to euthanize seriously ill companion animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 216(4), pp.559-566.
Blog image painted by Ken Gorczyca
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