My journey into animal hospice became intensely personal when my beloved Boxer, Brodie, faced the end of his life. Under the guidance of my human hospice nurse mother Carol Soukup, RN, I chose to embrace hospice principles, allowing Brodie a peaceful passing at home, surrounded by love. This experience was a revelation, showing me that I had been providing hospice care without even realizing it. Sharing stories of Brodie’s life and gazing at him lying in state peacefully, we asked ourselves the next morning, “Where are all the animal hospice people?” 

Driven by this profound experience, I found my people and immersed myself in the nascent animal hospice and palliative care movement. After a master's degree and a career in professional healthcare counseling, I recognized I could utilize the tools in my toolbox to educate and support caregivers, working alongside veterinary medical teams through an interdisciplinary approach. I began my first business, named "Partners to the Bridge," then founded AHELP Project to serve more families within a nonprofit model.

I took on leadership roles within the groundbreaking International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, including serving as their President in 2019. My presentations at conferences advocated the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and showcased how the nonprofit model can effectively support more families through their pets' end-of-life journeys. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, I saw an opportunity for online animal hospice education to address the scarcity of accessible veterinary services. I co-founded Animal Hospice Group with three thought leaders to build animal hospice education and hands-on training for people of all backgrounds, culminating in the Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner (CAHP) title. I remain on their faculty, and recognizing the need to produce the next generation of leaders in our field, I teach and mentor allied practitioners who support people and their pets.

At the time of this writing, we approach AHELP's 15th year. I return to our grassroots mission to realize my life's vision: for every animal lover to have ready access to animal hospice and understand their options, being those who will stand steadfastly beside caregivers. After years in development, I have proudly developed the “Partners to the Bridge" Animal Hospice Coaching for Pet Parents. To educate even more animal caregivers and professionals about the field, I  aspire to launch the Animal Hospice Podcast in 2025.

I share my life with my spouse of 27 years, my 18-year-old daughter, and two Boston Terriers. Sailing on the Puget Sound is our favorite family pastime. I am passionate about riding horses, and in my spare time, I enjoy a special bond with my Boston Terrier Bunny on a Pet Partners animal-assisted therapy team.  

More families will receive individualized animal hospice services through "HELP for Animal Hospice Caregivers Fund" that was seeded by our successful "Season for Caring" campaign in December-January every year.

Outreach to veterinary clinics will bring animal hospice education and support to practices in the Greater Seattle and Eastside region animal hospice. The work of our four-person Outreach Team will ultimately enable us to reach more families with AHELP Caregiver Support. 

Other 2019-2020 goals that we will continue: 

1. You will be emailed a link to our AHELPer Questionnaire that takes just 5-10 minutes to complete.
   
2. You will be contacted by Michelle to set up a time to meet over coffee/tea, Skype, or phone.
   
3. We will find you an AHELPer position that fits your preferred gift of involvement, matching your time and your interests. 
   
4. Through individual training and mentorship, you will be fully prepared to join our AHELPer Team.