Anna & Esther: Companionship, Grief and the Healing Power of Presence

“Compassionate grief support inspired by the quiet presence of Esther the Saint Bernard.”

  • 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

Welcome to Healing with Anna & Esther

Healing with Anna & Esther is a space for reflection on grief, compassion, and the human–animal bond.

I am AnneMarie Spreckels, MA in Community Health & Thanatology, an end-of-life doula, and MSW candidate. My work centers on supporting individuals and families as they navigate loss and end-of-life experiences with dignity and compassion.

This site includes reflections on grief, education about end-of-life care, advocacy for compassionate health systems, and the story of my Saint Bernard companion, Esther, whose gentle presence reminds me of the healing power of simply being there.