Hi, welcome

Growing up on a hobby farm, I was always surrounded by animals—pets were an extension of my family. Needless to say, I intimately understand the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved companion. This deep bond is why I’ve chosen to specialize my counselling practice in pet loss grief.

In my own healing journey, I discovered something unexpected: while grieving the loss of my father and surrogate grandfather, and a relationship, all at once, unprocessed grief about some of my childhood pets resurfaced. I came to realize that pet loss can be a portal to deeper healing. For many of us, our pets were our safe place growing up—their love reached the most tender parts of us, including our inner child. When we lose them, it can stir layers of past grief we may not have fully processed.

This is the lens I bring into my practice.

I believe in cultivating a warm, trusting therapeutic relationship, where safety and compassion are the foundation. I take the time to understand your personal bond with your pet and the unique shape your grief takes. Many people have told me they appreciate my down-to-earth, non-judgmental approach—which remains at the heart of how I support others.

Grief is personal. And so is healing. I'm here to walk with you, wherever you are on that path.

My Approach

In addition to employing the commonly used modalities in grief counselling, I offer support and guidance before, during, and after the transition to honour the bond and carry it forward following the departure or loss of a pet.

As a registered counsellor and pet bereavement specialist, my aim is to help individuals navigate the intricate landscape of grief that accompanies pet loss and normalize the often-overlooked journey.

I understand that each person's relationship with grief is their own and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. I recognize that there are different types of losses, various forms of grief, and different ways of expressing sorrow. Over the years, I have noticed a certain societal discomfort around publicly grieving our pets. Many skip ceremonies or creating memoirs, but by doing so, we miss a crucial part of the grieving process.

Grief may stay with us in different ways, but we can learn to carry it with love and find a way forward.

With care and understanding,

Faynixe Chartrand, RTC-C

(Aka Amanda)

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