animal doula

conscious transition

what is conscious transition?

Conscious Transition is navigating the dying process naturally, all the way through the last breath, and beyond. It is about allowing the natural consciousness of the animal to guide the whole transition from physical body to non-physical form, and it is about threading our human consciousness through the entire process.

Just like gestation and birth, death is a process. A fetus develops in the womb for months as preparation for birth, a transition into a new physical form. The fetus develops the physical elements that it needs to navigate physical life. Given the opportunity of a natural dying process, a physical body progressively dissolves as preparation for death, a transition into non-physical form. The body dissolves the physical elements that it does not need anymore as it lets go of physical life. The body, as a product of Nature, is so wise – wise far beyond our current understanding – and knows what to let go of, the pace of that, and how to do it. We see a pattern of three general stages to this dissolution. My job as an Animal Doula is to compassionately guide you and your animal friend through those stages in a way that gives you the opportunity to connect with your animal friend on the deepest levels, to honor the vast wisdom of Nature, and thereby to unleash the awe-inspiring gifts that your animal friend came here to impart to you specifically.

I use a variety of practices, including sensory awareness, mindfulness, meditation, Qigong, and most of all, sound. The sound practices I engage in the Conscious Transition process are grounding, soothing, unifying, and extremely moving. Please see my Sound Journeys page for more detailed information on how sound affects humans and animals.

Why choose conscious transition?

  • This is Nature’s design, and as beings of Nature, this natural way of passing makes the most sense to animals and is the most easeful for them.

  • Abrupt death is not “wrong” at all and can be unavoidable in the case of accidents. But it is confusing and disorienting to an animal’s body and spirit, it cuts short the opportunity to fully unlock and experience the animal's gifts that it came to share with us, and it denies us the opportunity for vast self-growth. When we allow our animal friends to go through Conscious Transition, we are freeing their bodies to dissolve as Nature knows best on the timeline that it knows best. This gives the animal the most stress-free experience: we don’t rush them and we don’t put them through confusing situations. This also allows the animal’s spirit to transition with the most freedom: the animal has had the time and opportunity to fully realize its purpose for this lifetime (no loose ends) and to fully transition consciousness out of the physical body (no baggage).

  • For the human companion, abrupt death of a beloved shocks the energy flow, or Qi flow, in the body. This shock creates heat that translates into tense fascia around muscles and/or organs. Most of us remain unaware of this deep-seated blockage in the system until months or years later we wake up with immobilizing neck pain, slip a lumbar disc, or come up with kidney stones. My guidance during Conscious Transition supports the human companion in fully, healthfully feeling and processing grief and any other intense emotions that arise. This is crucial because it not only allows the human to heal past traumas and grow exponentially from that experience itself, but it also allows the animal to transition without worry for their human’s well-being (animals will often linger on if they feel their human companions are in a low vibration state).

  • We are bringing expanded presence to your relationship with your animal friend, so we become aware of the many often-missed subtle signs of the early stages of transition. Because of this awareness, there’s no stress-filled rush at the end and no need to cut the experience short early. You and your beloved get to maximize the time you have together for play, love, joy, growth, connection, and ease.

why connect with me early?

Why would I intentionally think about something as sensitive and triggering as death any earlier than I have to…don’t I want to enjoy every last minute with my animal friend while he/she is physically here with me??

Yes. Exactly.

When you connect with me early in the transition process – or even well before the transition process begins – I start supporting you and your animal friend to…

  • …bond on deeper levels than you ever imagined possible

  • …understand your animal friend’s purpose, mission, and gifts for you

  • …feel the soul connection that is never lost, the connection that endures across distance and time, the connection that strengthens and expands to guide you and companion you in unseen ways after physical passing

You clearly have a beautiful bond with your animal friend, and you are clearly a powerful person (I know because you’re still here reading this!). If you’re willing to take even a tiny step into vulnerable territory, I can support you in discovering more of the stunning gifts that your animal friend has been on a mission to share specifically with you.

What intensifies an already emotionally-charged situation? Rushing. Rushing to the grocery store only to realize you forgot your wallet. Rushing to the car and spilling your coffee on the way. Trivial examples, yes, but we all feel how rushing is essentially a lack of presence. And presence is perhaps the most important thing we could offer our animal friends and ourselves during the last moments of physical life together.

Connecting with me early gives us the space and time to…

  • …introduce effective, accessible, lighthearted self-regulation practices so we can meet each precious moment with presence and ease

  • …compassionately explore and heal energetic wounds; fully process grief, guilt, and other intense emotions that may arise

  • …expand your relationship with your animal friend, a process which can also heal and deepen your relationship with yourself and with others

  • …cover a wide array of practices that can support you and your animal friend in experiencing an easeful, stress-free transition

So let’s start expanding presence with your beloved animal now.


my offerings

When you contact me (see my Contact Page), we will book a 1-hour Zoom call. On this call, I will get to learn about your situation, answer your questions, and I will cover topics appropriate to where you and your animal friend are on this journey. After the call, I will send you a PDF packet tailored to the stage of your animal friend’s journey and a download link for guided practices and sound recordings that will support you and your beloved in this stage. Cost $200

This includes periodic check-ins as you progress on this journey of Conscious Transition. Once we connect, I am here for you and your animal friend through the whole transition.

If you live within a 30-minute radius of Cotati, California, I am thrilled to offer in-person support. Inquire for cost.

EXTRA SERVICES

Live Sound Journeys, in-person & Zoom (see my Sound Journey page for more details)

Custom Sound Journey Recordings: I tune into the energies of you and your beloved animal friend, then intuitively create a 20-minute Sound Journey recording to emphasize the frequencies that will most benefit you. You receive an audio file that you can keep and re-listen to infinitely. Cost $100

Qigong, in-person & Zoom: I create Qigong posture sequences and practices for you to help move energy in your body and your animal friend’s body (see my Qigong page for more details). Inquire for in-person cost; Zoom 30-minute session $80

Please use my Contact Page to arrange an Introductory Call. I look forward to connecting with you!

why sound?

“Creation begins with the activity of consciousness, which may be called vibration, and every vibration starting from its original source is the same, differing only in its tone and rhythm, caused by a greater or lesser degree of force behind it. [. . .] It is by massing together that the vibrations become audible, that at each step toward the surface they multiply and as they advance they materialize. [. . .] All things being derived from and formed of vibrations have sound hidden within them, as fire is hidden in flint, and each atom of the universe confesses by its tone, my soul origin is sound.” Hazrat Inayat Khan, The Mysticism of Sound

All life is made up of vibrations, from the diaphanous wings of a dragonfly to the tough skin of an elephant, from air particles to granite, from joy to grief, from digestive enzymes to cancer cells. We are sound, and so it follows that we can feel so moved by sound, so transformed by sound, so uplifted, hurt, soothed, and invigorated by sound.

Through the law of entrainment, slow, steady drumming can lower the heart rate of both humans and animals, thereby activating our Parasympathetic Nervous System of the ANS. This puts us in a “rest and digest” state where we get a break from adrenaline and the body can repair and restore itself more effectively. A low-tone drone can entrain our brain waves down to a meditative Theta frequency. In this state, humans and animals not only release stress and experience a deep sense of calm, but also connect more strongly with intuition and ignite vast creativity. Furthermore, when we hear sounds that we like, our brain often sends the signal to release endorphins.

In this modern world jam-packed with adrenaline-pumping input and pressure to compete for externally created standards, honor yourself and/or your pet by relaxing, releasing, and healing with a Sound Journey in Nature.

client reviews

Melissa, New Mexico:

Roo…

Callie, California:

Thomas…