About Peaceful Paws
From an early passion for working with animals, to where I am today.
About Me
I discovered my passion for working with animals at a young age, growing up in a home that always included both large and small animals. While my path into veterinary medicine wasn’t linear, each step ultimately led me to where I am today.
In 2010, I moved with my two youngest children to Chattaroy, Washington to pursue my certification as a Veterinary Assistant. After graduating in 2011, I began working in animal sheltering, where I quickly developed a deep appreciation for that environment. I later transitioned into a feline-only veterinary clinic, where I worked as a veterinary technician from 2012 to 2014. It was during this time that I began to feel called toward supporting clients during end-of-life care.
After relocating back to Montana in 2014 and taking time to blend families with my husband, I returned to veterinary medicine in 2015, working in a general practice that also specialized in orthopedic surgery. In every role I held—receptionist, assistant, and technician—I consistently gravitated toward end-of-life appointments, including after-hours and in-home care.
Throughout these years, I was also navigating my own grief after losing my father in a tragic plane crash in 1994. Supporting others through the loss of their pets became a meaningful part of my own healing journey.
In 2018, I joined a small general practice clinic where I further discovered my true passion: not just caring for animals but supporting both pets and their families through end-of-life transitions. I became the dedicated euthanasia appointment technician and began asking deeper questions about aftercare for grieving pet owners—recognizing a significant gap in emotional support once families left the clinic.
In 2020, during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and while managing my own health with multiple sclerosis, I shifted my focus to shelter medicine. There, with the support of a trusted veterinarian and mentor, I began building an end-of-life program that addressed both patient care and client grief support.
As my work evolved, I pursued advanced certifications, becoming a Certified Euthanasia Technician, Certified Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist, and Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Professional. In 2023, we (Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter) launched Montana’s first Pet Loss Support Group.
In September 2025, I founded Peaceful Paws, LLC, offering individual bereavement support, end-of-life planning, companion animal end-of-life doula services, and I have partnered with Yellowstone Valley Animal Services to continue the Pet Loss Support Group. I have since completed additional training as a Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula, further expanding the holistic, compassionate care I provide.
Through my personal and professional journey, I have found my purpose: to support both animals and the people who love them through one of life’s most difficult transitions. I am honored to offer a compassionate, holistic approach to end-of-life care and grief support.
Are you ready for help on your journey?
Appointments are available and scheduled at your convenience.