Welcome to Paws and Peace
GRIEF SUPPORT
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My work is trauma-informed, compassion-centered, and paced according to your nervous system — not an arbitrary timeline. Grief is not linear, and healing doesn't follow a schedule. Every person who walks through this process carries a unique story, a unique bond, and a unique kind of heartbreak — and all of it deserves to be honored exactly as it is.
You don't have to have lost a pet for this service. I'm available for all grief counseling.
REIKI
Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive energy healing practice that supports the body's natural ability to restore balance and calm. Rooted in the belief that energy flows through all living beings, Reiki works by channeling healing energy to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and promote overall wellbeing — for both people and animals. Whether your pet is navigating illness, anxiety, or simply needs a moment of deep rest, or you're seeking your own sense of peace and renewal, Reiki meets you exactly where you are. I also can perform Reiki for you or any family member.
My Approach
Grief is not a problem to solve.
It is an experience to be witnessed.
When we work together, my role is to:
- Offer a steady, regulated presence
- Help you untangle guilt, doubt, and “what ifs”
- Support thoughtful, informed end-of-life decisions
- Honor the depth of your bond
- Help you create meaning and ritual
ABOUT ME
Animals have always held a special place in my heart — they are, without question, some of the most profound relationships of my life.
I grew up knowing the kind of love that only an animal can give. The kind that greets you at the door without condition, that curls up beside you on your worst days, that witnesses your life quietly and completely, asking for nothing in return. That love shaped me. And when I began losing my own animals, I understood firsthand just how deep that absence runs.
Through my own losses and my years working in emergency veterinary care, I found myself called to this work in a way I couldn't ignore. I became a grief coach devoted exclusively to pet loss and bereavement, and later a certified death doula, because I believe that how we honor our animals in their final chapter — and how we care for ourselves after — matters deeply.
Rooted in graduate-level social work training, clinical experience, and a commitment to trauma-informed care, my approach is both deeply empathetic and ethically grounded. I continue expanding my knowledge in animal-centered end-of-life support so that every person I work with feels safe, respected, and truly held.
In addition to grief coaching, I am a trained Pet Death Doula and Reiki practitioner. I work at a veterinary emergency hospital in Water Mill, NY, where I sit with families during some of their most vulnerable and sacred moments. That experience has profoundly shaped how I hold space — calmly, gently, and without judgment.
Terri Lavelle
Credentials & Ongoing Training
- Pet Death Doula
- Reiki Certified Practitioner
- Graduate-level training in social work
- Certified Grief Coach
- Ongoing education in trauma-informed and animal-centered end-of-life care
- Wave Veterinary Emergency Hospital Professional – Water Mill, NY
A Gentle Note
I am not a licensed therapist, and do not practice psychotherapy. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, I will help guide you toward licensed clinical support.
Certifications & Training
