Paws that Mend Reach out

Pet grief support · Phone & video

Their lives change ours. Their love stays with us.

Whether you're facing a difficult diagnosis, caring for an aging companion, or grieving a heartbreaking loss, your bond deserves to be understood, honored, and supported.

Reach out Meet Romeo
Romeo, a black and white senior Pomeranian, sitting in his bed
Romeo, 17 · Chief of the household

Support through every chapter

Grief doesn't always wait for goodbye

Sometimes it begins with a diagnosis, a first surgery, or the quiet realization that your companion is growing older. And when the loss comes, others don't always understand how deep it goes. Paws That Mend is a calm, nonjudgmental place to talk about your animal, your fears, and your grief, at your own pace.

Before goodbye

Anticipatory grief

Loving an aging or seriously ill animal while knowing time isn't unlimited.

  • A frightening diagnosis
  • Fear woven into ordinary days
  • Wanting to prepare and stay present
Through the hard parts

Caregiving & decisions

The exhaustion and weight of caring for a companion with complex needs.

  • Caregiver fatigue
  • Difficult veterinary decisions
  • Guilt and second-guessing
After loss

Pet loss & grief

Honoring a relationship that mattered, even when others minimize it.

  • Grief after a goodbye
  • Sudden or traumatic loss
  • Finding your way through life after
Dr. Lucy smiling and holding Romeo in front of red poinsettias

About

Dr. Lucy, Doctorate in Psychology

Dr. Lucy teaches graduate psychology courses and brings a deep understanding of attachment and the bonds that shape our lives. She has worked with Beach Animal Rehab Center (BARC), and she knows the other side of the exam table too, collaborating closely with Romeo's care team: Dr. Amy Kramer (Rehabilitation, BARC), Dr. Wayne Berry (Neurology, BluePearl), and Dr. Jen Kumar (Baker Bristol, Costa Mesa).

Her approach is warm, nonjudgmental, and personal. There's room to talk about your animal's personality, the medical journey, the final days, or the decision you keep replaying, as many times as you need.

Doctorate in PsychologyGraduate psychology educatorRomeo's mom

The heart behind Paws That Mend

Meet Romeo, the little man who runs the household

He's 17, weighs six pounds, and has never once doubted that he's in charge. Opinionated, expressive, and wonderfully bossy, Romeo is a character, a comedian, and the undisputed ruler of his home.

The Refrigerator Inspector

When he's hungry, he points his nose at the fridge, just in case anyone forgot whose dinner it is.

The Dinner Bell

Want seconds? He dings his bowl. Subtlety has never been his style.

The Little Bully

He loves to bully his mom's hands and pillows. Six pounds, and still intimidating.

The Bedtime Supervisor

For years, he'd point his nose at the bedroom door and wait for his personal chariot to carry him to bed.

The Crow Patrol

In his younger days, the neighborhood crows were his sworn enemies. Someone had to keep them in line.

The Midnight Party

A little snack, a tippy-tap tour of the apartment, then back to bed. No invitation necessary.

Romeo has also been through more than most dogs ever face: spinal surgeries, a frightening time in 2021 when he couldn't walk, months of rehab to get back on his feet, eye emergencies and surgery, joint problems, and more vet visits than I can count.

Watching him walk again was one of the most emotional moments of my life. But what I treasure just as much are the ordinary moments in between: the nose point, the bowl ding, the bedtime orders. That's what loving an animal really is, and it's why the thought of losing them can hurt so deeply.

"We don't simply love their companionship. We love their quirks, their demands, and the little world we build together."

How it works

Support that meets you where you are

Many people find it easier to open up without a camera, so phone sessions are always welcome. Be somewhere cozy, take a walk, or hold something that reminds you of your companion while we talk. Video is available too.

Standard session$200 · 50 minutesBy phone or video
Extended session$300 · 75 minutesBy phone or video
PaymentPrivate payInsurance is not accepted. Payment by Venmo at the time of each session.

Before our first session, please read and sign the client agreement online. It takes about five minutes.

Questions

You're not overreacting

Is it normal to grieve an animal this deeply?

Yes. For many of us, an animal is a daily companion, a source of comfort, and family. Love and attachment aren't measured by species, and neither is grief.

What is anticipatory grief?

It's grief that begins before a loss, often with a diagnosis, aging, or a chronic illness. It doesn't mean you've given up or love them any less. It means you're facing the possibility of losing someone who matters deeply.

Why do I feel so guilty about my pet's care or death?

Guilt is one of the most common parts of animal grief. Decisions are often made with incomplete information and no perfect option. Together we can look at the context of your choices with compassion instead of blame.

I'm exhausted from caregiving. Is that okay?

Completely. You can love your companion more than anything and still feel overwhelmed. Being devoted and needing rest can both be true.

What if I need more support?

If what you're feeling becomes too heavy, I'll help you find the right referral, such as your doctor or a psychiatrist. Paws That Mend is not for emergencies or veterinary advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.

Whenever you're ready

Send a short note about you and your companion, and a few days and times that usually work. I'll get back to you to set up a time to talk.

Email me