Wayfinder Pet exists for…
The humans who see their animal companions through a lens of pure and unconditional love.
The humans who feel deep within their soul the eternal bond that exists.
The humans who don’t see their pet as anything other than family.
And finally, the human who asks themselves
“who rescued whom?”
The role of a trained end-of-life pet doula is to provide non-medical holistic support for you and your best friend during the hardest of times. When faced with a pet that is ill, aging, or in decline, it feels impossible to manage the depth of the days ahead.
With a pet doula by your side, you have a guide and the tools she brings.
How We Plan Together
Care for the Caregiver: Saying goodbye starts long before the final day. Caring for a declining pet while managing daily life is exhausting and lonely. We offer respite so you can rest, and steady emotional support as anticipatory grief settles in. For solo pet parents, this can be a lifeline.
Clarity on Quality of Life: Deep love can blur judgment when hard decisions loom. Our structured tools help you track your pet's true daily condition. We organize your questions for the vet, help you make sense of what you hear, and can join you for difficult family conversations.
Planning a Peaceful Goodbye: The details of a peaceful passing can feel paralyzing. We walk you through the how, what, where, and when, including preparing a calm space at home with soft lighting and familiar comforts. Together we choose the path of least regrets.
Holding that Sacred Space
Steady Presence: Whether at home or at the clinic (when permitted), we stay physically present during the euthanasia visit. We anchor the space so you can focus entirely on cherishing these final moments with your pet.
A Gentle Environment: We help create a calm, sacred atmosphere with soft lighting, quiet music, familiar blankets, and privacy, so your pet's final hours feel safe and peaceful.
Rituals & Keepsakes: We help capture lasting memories in the final days or right after a pet passes: paw and nose prints, fur clippings, photo sessions, legacy journals, and simple bedside rituals.
Eternal Bonds Don’t Die
Supporting the Whole Household: We guide you in using age-appropriate language with children, help surviving pets adjust, and, when the time feels right, help you think through welcoming a new companion.
Walking with Your Grief: Guilt, regret, anger, and the silence of a changed routine are all part of loss. We offer ongoing grief support to help you carry it gently. Our Corona office is a safe sanctuary to express every emotion, or we can meet online.
Aftercare & Memorials: We help you weigh aftercare options and gather keepsakes like collars and tags. When you're ready, we design a private farewell or celebration-of-life gathering tailored to your traditions and preferences.
How We Begin
Every pet and every family is different, so we start with a conversation. In a free 20-minute call, you'll share where things stand and what feels heaviest right now. Together we'll decide what support fits, whether that's a single visit, help planning ahead, or someone beside you through the goodbye.
You don't need to have the words or a plan. That's what we're here for.
Book a Free 20 minute consultation
Support packages begin at $240
Additional Offerings
Pet Parent Advance Directive: Who would care for your pet if you suddenly couldn't? We guide you through a written plan for your pet's care if you face a serious illness, a long hospital stay, or death. It names an emergency caregiver and a long-term guardian, and records your pet's routines, medical needs, and end-of-life wishes, so the people you trust know exactly what to do.
Marty
2.27.2012 ~ 8.26.2026
FAQs
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An end-of-life pet doula is a non-medical, holistic guide who provides emotional, logistical, and physical support for you and your pet. I am not a veterinarian or a licensed therapist. I do not diagnose illnesses, prescribe treatments, or perform medical procedures (such as euthanasia). Instead, I work alongside your veterinary team—acting as your advocate, anchor, and sounding board to ensure you never feel alone in the decision-making process.
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You can reach out at any stage. Many families contact me when a pet receives a terminal diagnosis, as senior decline sets in, or when anticipatory grief begins to feel heavy. You do not need to wait until a crisis occurs. In fact, bringing support in early allows us to map out a clear quality-of-life framework, plan ahead, and focus entirely on cherishing your time together.
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My role is designed to bring calm and structure to an overwhelming time. Depending on your needs, we can:
Plan Together: Help you track your pet's daily comfort, organize questions for your vet, and prepare a peaceful environment at home.
Anchor the Space: Provide a steady, calming presence during the euthanasia visit (at home or at the clinic, when permitted) so you can focus solely on your pet.
Create Keepsakes: Gently assist with meaningful legacy projects, such as paw/nose prints, fur clippings, and memorial rituals.
Support the Household: Help guide children through the transition with age-appropriate language, support surviving pets, and offer a safe sanctuary for your grief.
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A Pet Parent Advance Directive is a formal, written plan detailing who will care for your pet if you face an unexpected emergency, a long hospital stay, or your own passing. It designates an emergency caregiver and a long-term guardian, while recording your pet’s precise daily routines, medical requirements, and end-of-life preferences. It ensures that the people you trust know precisely what to do to keep your pet safe and secure.
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Support packages begin at $240, and every engagement starts with a free 20-minute consultation so we can talk through where things stand, what feels heaviest, and what level of support fits your family. Financial stress should never compound the pain of pet loss, so please reach out if you have questions about options.
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In-person planning sessions, respite care, and grief support circles take place at the Wayfinder office suite located at 1451 Rimpau Ave, Ste 215, in Corona, California, which is intentionally curated with a calm, grounding environment (featuring floor cushions, low seating, and sensory elements). Virtual meetings are also available for families who prefer online support.
Would you like to refine any of these answers, add specific details about your packages, or draft an accompanying intro or outro for the website page?
Sherry Haycraft | End-of-Life & Grief Doula for Pets, and my Mochi. Some say she’s spoiled, maybe just a tad. I like to call her the Rescue-turned-Diva, who measures love based on how far and how often you can launch a ball.