End-of-Life Doula Support & Difficult Decisions Consulting

Personalized support for you and your dog through aging, end of life, difficult decisions, and the complicated parts of life that go beyond training.

Not every challenge with your dog needs a training plan.

Sometimes you need help discussing changes as your dog ages. Sometimes you’re faced with a difficult decision about your dog’s behavior, safety or quality of life.

And sometimes you simply need an experienced, compassionate professional to help you think through what comes next.

As a certified dog behavior consultant and companion animal death doula, I offer virtual support for some of the more complicated parts of life with your dog, from aging and end-of-life planning to difficult decisions about behavior, safety, and quality of life.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Death Doula Support

One-on-one phone or video support calls for families navigating the aging and end-of-life journey with their dog.

We can talk through quality-of-life concerns, end-of-life planning, preparing for euthanasia, saying goodbye, or simply the questions and emotions that come with having a beloved dog nearing the end of their life.

This is a space to ask questions, talk things through, and make a plan that feels right for you and your dog. I can provide resources, ideas, and a non-judgmental perspective to support you.

We may discuss:

Changes you are noticing in your dog’s health, behavior, personality, or appearance, as well as diagnoses they have been given
Assessing, monitoring, and supporting quality of life
A plan to discuss questions or concerns with your veterinarian
How to decide when it is time to say goodbye
Planning for euthanasia and your dog’s final days
Preparing your family and children for your dog’s passing
Aftercare,memorial, and celebration-of-life options

If you’d like ongoing support, a monthly doula support package is also available for purchase following your doula consult.

Difficult Decisions Consult

This is not a training or behavior modification consult. It is a non-judgmental space to discuss difficult decisions you are facing involving your dog’s behavior, safety, and/or quality of life.

If you’re considering behavioral euthanasia, rehoming due to behavior, or other major choices because of your dog’s behavior, you don’t have to navigate that decision alone. We’ll discuss your situation, your options, and the factors that may be important to consider, and I can provide an outside professional perspective.

My background as a dog behavior consultant specializing in complex behavior cases, combined with my work as a companion animal death doula, gives me a unique perspective when families are facing these difficult decisions. I understand both the behavior side of these situations and the emotional weight of making decisions about your dog’s future.

There’s no judgment and no pressure to make a particular decision. The goal is to give you space to think through what comes next for you, your dog, and your family.

How It Works

Choose the Support You Need

Start with either a Death Doula Support Call or a Difficult Decisions Consult, depending on what you’re facing.

Talk It Through

We’ll meet via phone or video to discuss your dog, your concerns, and the questions you’re trying to answer.

Decide What Comes Next

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your options, some resources, and when appropriate, a plan for next steps. For families clients who want continued support, doula support packages are available after the consult.

You're Not Alone in This

Aging and end of life can bring some of the hardest decisions we make for our dogs.

Whether you’re just starting to notice changes, planning ahead, or facing a difficult decision right now, I’m here to help you navigate it with compassion, honesty, and practical support.

A note about veterinary care and emotional support

Death doula support is not a replacement for veterinary care or mental health services.

I don’t diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medication, or make medical decisions for you. Your veterinarian should remain an important part of your dog’s care team, particularly when you’re dealing with changes in health or quality of life.

I’m also not a therapist or mental health professional. My role is to provide support, information, and a non-judgmental space to talk through the practical and emotional challenges of aging, end of life, and difficult decisions involving your dog.

Want to get started?

Doula Support Call

$50 – 45 mins

For support related to aging, quality of life, end-of-life planning, euthanasia, aftercare, and memorials

Difficult Decisions Consult

$100- 1 hour

For support when facing difficult decisions related to behavioral euthanasia or rehoming due to behavior

What our Customers say:

My three year old Maltipoo just finished the dog basics training. It was so helpful and I learned a lot to train Joey. Kristin and Allie are professionals, they really know what they are doing!

Jeri Goodin

Kristen is a WONDERFUL trainer! We and our dog love her. She takes lots of time to gather information and get to know the dog and family, and any issues that are in play. She gave us really helpful and personalized strategies and tips, and emailed summaries after each session (SO helpful!). I also really appreciate Kristen’s background and education – she is the most educated trainer with the most expertise that I could find in our area and it shows in her work! Her fees are very reasonable and she is lovely to work with. We highly recommend her!!

Kristina Michael

    
 
 
         
   Catherine Sipe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kristen came to our home to address our new dog's behavioral quirks and while she was there, helped smooth out some pack dynamics overall.  We have three dogs and three cats and Kristen's suggestions are clear, easy to follow, and are working!  Kristen is a great person and easy to work with.  I definitely recommend her services.
  
 
        
   Neely King 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our dog has a history of redirected aggression and we didn’t know what to do, so we contacted Kristen for help. We have worked with 2 other dog trainers before this with little to no results. Our 2 sessions with Kristen have been amazing. Not only do we know why our dog does these things, she has provided us with the tools to help him. She was very thorough and provided detailed notes and links to videos after our session, as well as following up with us in email several times. We use the tips and tricks she showed us everyday with our dog and he is 100% different. We can actually go out in our backyard now without him pacing the fence and barking at everything, as well as what to do when he starts to get escalated at the doors and windows and other triggers. We would 100% recommend Kristen, she’s very thorough and knowledgeable and just very friendly. Give her a try if you’re looking for help. Thanks Kristen!!
  
 
        
   Amy Cramer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We hired Kristen when our dog was having trouble acclimating to our new baby & it was the best decision we made! She was so kind & helpful! She was realistic & clearly had an understanding of the lack of time with having a new baby. She helped us implement simple strategies that improved comfort & safety without causing us more stress. With her help, our dog has acclimated well & we feel more confident in how to continue to help him in the future.
  
 
        
   Carly McLeod 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kristen was AMAZING! She helped us introduce our new dog to our cat and had so many good pointers and tricks to use. She eased our minds about training our new dog and we would recommend her to anyone!
  
 
        
   Karen Ratliff 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve attended group dog training in the past with our other dogs. With our recent rescue, 2.5 yr old Lola, we knew she wasn’t ready for a group training environment. She came to us after her previous owner passed away and the family did not want her. She had a lot of anxiety and fear from being passed around and left alone for hours for several months. So we decided to have Perked Ears Behavior Consulting help us. Kristen was able to come to our home, assess the problems, create a training plan, and help us with addressing the problems in our environment. With this individualized approach, we saw so much growth in her confidence. We are still working on issues. There is no magic bullet. However, we have the tools to address the issues before or when they occur, which in turn, continues to reinforce and improve Lola’s confidence. Although there is a place for group training, the benefits we received from a more individualized approach was well worth the difference in cost. We highly recommend Kristen!
  
 
        
   Jaymee Reynolds 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are so incredibly grateful to have stumbled across Kristen in our desperate search to find a behavioral specialist! Our little guy, Chancho, was exhibiting some aggressive behaviors towards his sister and other dogs. After working with Kristen we were able to identify his triggers and work towards a more cohesive household and a happier relationship between our pups.

You can tell by spending just a few minutes with Kristen that she truly cares about animals and wants to help you and teach you how to create a happy and healthy environment for them.

We will definitely continue to work with Kristen and have already recommended her services to our friends and family!
  
 
        
   Becky Pitzer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kristen listened and made some great suggestions in my virtual meeting with her. I liked that we focused on the specific issues I wanted to address with my pup. She gave practical advice that I was able to immediately start using, she was available for follow up, and we are now very pleased with our well behaved girl.
  
 
        
   Laura Noel 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kristen is knowledgeable, kind and encouraging. The written summary after each meeting is most helpful.
  
 
        
   Kylie Barkley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dog River and I learned so much from Kristen.  He is improving every day and enjoys practicing what we have learned.  Thanks so much!
  
 
        
   Kristina Michael 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kristen is a WONDERFUL trainer! We and our dog love her. She takes lots of time to gather information and get to know the dog and family, and any issues that are in play. She gave us really helpful and personalized strategies and tips, and emailed summaries after each session (SO helpful!). I also really appreciate Kristen’s background and education - she is the most educated trainer with the most expertise that I could find in our area and it shows in her work! Her fees are very reasonable and she is lovely to work with. We highly recommend her!!