Anna & Esther: A Pet Therapy Team in the Making
Comfort, care, and companionship—offered by a thanatologist and her giant, gentle helper
- Thanatology & community health professional
- MA in Thanatology (CUNY Brooklyn College – in progress)
- Volunteer bereavement support caller (Accent Care Hospice)
- Trained end-of-life doula
- Future MSW student (Liberty University)
- Working toward grief & bereavement therapist licensure
- Guided by compassion, dignity, and the belief that no one—human or animal—should face death alone
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Therapy dog training teaches many lessons, not just for the dog, but for the handler, too. One of the most important is learning when to pause. Recently, Esther had to take a short break from her training after developing a small infection on one of her paw pads. While it’s minor and already being treated,…
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Today feels like such a milestone in this journey Esther and I have been on together. After months of training, practicing skills, building confidence, and learning how to work as a therapeutic team, we now have our official Pet Partners Team Evaluation date:Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in Setauket,…
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Today was a significant milestone in Esther’s therapy-dog journey: she visited her veterinarian, Dr. Tracy, at Howard Beach Animal Clinic for her official Pet Partners medical clearance, and she passed with flying colors! As a giant-breed therapy-dog-in-training, Esther’s health and physical well-being are essential for the comfort and safety of the people she will eventually…
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Healing with Anna & Esther Some moments settle into your heart so clearly that you can look back and remember every detail; the feeling in the room, the warmth in your chest, even the quiet sound of a puppy breathing against your ear. One of those moments happened for me in June 2024, the day…
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I’m thrilled to share a significant milestone on this journey with Esther: I have officially completed the Pet Partners Handler Training! This course has given me the knowledge, confidence, and foundation to partner safely and compassionately with Esther, my beloved Saint Bernard, during future therapy visits. As I complete my master’s degree in Thanatology/Community Health…
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Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has become one of the most meaningful and clinically valuable tools in mental health, hospice care, trauma recovery, and bereavement support. Decades of research show measurable psychological and physical benefits, yet most U.S. insurance plans still do not cover the service directly, even though the evidence is strong (Fine, 2019). As someone…
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How Esther Learns to Make Safe Choices When people see Esther, 165 pounds of gentle Saint Bernard fluff, they often can’t imagine her doing anything wrong. However, like every therapy animal, she too needs to master certain skills that ensure everyone’s safety and comfort during visits. One of the most important of these is “Leave…
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When Esther and I began our Pet Partners training, I never imagined how meaningful a simple trading card could become. These small, colorful keepsakes, featuring our therapy animals, are so much more than souvenirs; they’re a way to carry comfort beyond the visit. Even though Esther is still training and practicing mock visits, creating her…
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Preparing for Real Visits with Confidence and Compassion This week’s lesson, Unit 7: Putting It All Together, marks a turning point in our journey. After learning the foundations of animal-assisted therapy, infection control, and teamwork with facilities, this unit helps us envision what an actual visit will look like, from the moment we pack our…
Anna & Esther: A Pet Therapy Team in the Making 