Anna & Esther: A Pet Therapy Team in the Making

Comfort, care, and companionship—offered by a thanatologist and her giant, gentle helper

  • MSW student (Liberty University)
  • MA in Thanatology (CUNY Brooklyn College)
  • Thanatology & community health professional
  • Volunteer bereavement support caller (Accent Care Hospice)
  • Trained end-of-life doula
  • Working toward grief & bereavement therapist licensure
  • Guided by compassion, dignity, and the belief that no one—human or animal—should face death alone

❄️ A Snowstorm, a Pause, and a New Date: Esther’s Therapy Dog Evaluation Update

Esther’s original Pet Partners therapy dog evaluation, scheduled for January 25, 2026, was unfortunately canceled due to Snowstorm Fern, which made travel and testing unsafe for everyone involved. While disappointing in the moment, safety always comes first—for handlers, evaluators, and especially our dogs.

I’m happy to share that Esther’s evaluation has been officially rescheduled for March 15, 2026.

This extra time has become a gift. Esther continues to mature, practice calm greetings, reinforce her cues, and build confidence in new environments. As anyone training a therapy dog knows, this process isn’t just about passing an evaluation; it’s about readiness, reliability, and relationship.

As her handler, I’ve been reminded that therapy work asks us to model patience and adaptability. Those qualities are just as important as sit, stay, and leave it.

We’re continuing to train with intention and heart, and I’m deeply grateful for the support, encouragement, and understanding from the Pet Partners community and everyone following Esther’s journey.

Thank you for cheering us on. We’ll see you on March 15th ; hopefully with clear skies and wagging tails.

Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to evaluation day…

🐾Anna & Esther

Posted in

Leave a comment