Testimonials
See what others are saying
“As an end-of-life doula myself, I thought I would be prepared for my soul dog, BooBoo passing away but I was very wrong. Her loss hit me harder than any loss in my life and despite having a supportive husband and community, I knew I needed more help and guidance to navigate this tremendous loss. As my husband lovingly reminded me early on in my loss “even doctors need to go to the doctor sometimes.” Two weeks after Boo’s passing, I started meeting weekly with Angela for grief support sessions and I can say with certainty that she has helped me tremendously and was a lifeline early on. Not only is she compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental, and supportive but she has a wealth of appropriate resources to share week to week based on where I am in my grief journey.
Over six months later I see her less frequently but know I can rely on her if I am struggling a little extra a certain week. She is excellent at follow-up, providing resources and with off-session check-ins and even the occasional handwritten card of support. I’ve recommended her to numerous colleagues and friends who have also used her services and reported back to me to thank me for the referral and singing her praises. Angela has been a literal lifesaver for at least one of these people. If you are grieving, dealing with anticipatory grief or feeling disenfranchised because nobody understands your loss, I highly encourage you to reach out to Angela to help you navigate what you’re coping with. Having support during your grief is essential to healing and finding your new path in life without your beloved and she can help you figure out how to do that.”
https://rescuedbytraining.com/
Professional Canine Behavior Consultant & End-of-Life Companion Animal Doula
“Finding Angela Shook was truly a life changing experience for me. I had felt very isolated dealing with my pet’s terminal illness, and also kept encountering people throughout my pet’s treatment journey that were cold and clinical, and lacked the warmth that I needed during such a devastating time.
I found Angela at a particularly stressful time during my pet’s illness, when I was preparing to travel across the country for a close friends wedding and hadn’t yet figured out a care plan for my pet. I was also dealing with a lot of anxiety and guilt about leaving her. Angela calmly guided me through the decision making process. She made me feel less alone, and validated me. From that call on, she was my sounding board for so many challenging moments, right through to the final act of love I had to decide to make for my girl.
Angela has such a way with words — she is incredibly warm and compassionate, but she will also never lie to you or sugar coat the truth — which is really important during a time when believing in the truth can be so hard. She strikes this balance so beautifully.
I think having someone like Angela to speak with during such an impossible time, who is not biased to only tell you want you want to hear, and who has years of experience working with animals and vets, is invaluable. I trusted her advice and opinion more than anyone else’s, and I truly don’t know what I would have done without her for the 2 months that we were working together. I only wish I would have found her sooner!
I would strongly recommend Angela to any pet parent who is in some stage of their grief journey, whether you’ve just received a diagnosis, or you sense that your sweet angel’s time is nearing the end, or even if your pet has already passed and you are struggling with the grief. I believe that my time spent speaking with Angela was one of the best investments I’ve ever made, both for my own mental health, and also for my pet. My work with Angela was a huge part of the reason I was able to give my sweet baby the most peaceful passing, and a calm & loving final few weeks. Angela is amazing.”
“When you or a loved one is approaching an expected death, you might not have the time or energy to solicit references from potential end-of-life doulas. If you’re considering enlisting Angela’s support, rest assured you’ve found the right one! Angela embodies the doula heart by excelling at the full gamut of services that might be offered in a doula practice. She’s more passionate about doula work than anyone I’ve ever known, and yet when faced with difficult situations, she’s always the calmest person in the room. She has an eagle-eye attention to detail while never losing sight of a client’s overall goals. Angela offers a dedicated, supportive in-person presence to local clients in Northern Michigan, while simultaneously serving as a sought-after consultant to remote clients all over the country. You’ve found your doula.”
“As a past President of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance and a highly respected educator, Angela is clearly a leader in our field. She embodies the doula heart … giving of her time, energy, knowledge, and compassion in ways that bring comfort and peace to everyone she encounters. When my time comes to need a doula, I would be so honored and grateful to have Angela at my side.”
“Angela is a tremendous asset to this field. Her knowledge, compassion, and care make her an exceptional partner during such a poignant journey. Having an end-of-life doula like her is a beautiful gift to yourself and your pet.”
“Incorporating a death doula into my mobile veterinary practice has been very rewarding. Doulas complement the care that vets can offer clients and their pets at the end-of-life. They foster open communication, work as advocates for the family, and offer compassionate support as the family makes end-of-life decisions. This extra level of care sets us apart from other veterinary clinics.”
“It is with great honor that I recommend Angela Shook. She comes to this work with her whole heart, offering it to those in need so generously.
Her knowledge and experience prove her to be reliable, comforting, supportive, and a truly safe place to feel everything you need to feel as you navigate this journey. She is wise, gracious, compassionate, and kind…”
“I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Angela on a project that is an intimate birth from my heart. She listened and asked questions until she fully understood my passion and vision. Her guidance was always to enhance this vision, never to change it. I felt safe sharing this project with her and knew she would guide me through as a companion, by my side. She continues to be a treasured muse and teacher on my journey.
Angela is knowledgeable, creative, and compassionate in her support and guidance. I am blessed to have met her, and to call her friend…”
“We have had a beautiful experience with Angela Shook. She did a CD so that after my husband passed we would be able to hear him speak to us. She came every week. We have not had to listen to it as he is still with us. Her compassion was awesome. She is a gentle and kind soul.”
“I really appreciated reading “The Doula Tool Kit”. It made me smile and cry as well as understand better many of the things that I have struggled through with loss-especially that of a young friend last year. Thank you to you, Diane and Gabby for taking the time to author such an important topic.”
“Dragonfly End-of-Life Services provides compassionate and gentle care at the end-of-life. They demonstrate unparallelled compassion, guiding their clients through every step of the journey with grace and dignity. Their dedication to ensuring the comfort and peace of the person dying extends not only to the patient but to the entire family. The professionalism and warmth of the staff will help make a difficult situation more manageable. They listen attentively to your needs, offering valuable advice and support while respecting your wishes at every turn.
The quality of care provided is nothing but extraordinary. They create a serene and comforting environment, ensuring that your loved one’s final days are filled with care, respect, and love. The compassion and empathy shown by the team is truly touching, providing you and your family with a sense of solace during a profoundly emotional time.
I highly recommend Dragonfly End-of-Life Services for all you end of life needs.”
“Angela demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to fostering a nurturing and collaborative environment. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise in the end-of-life field is evident. However, what truly sets her apart is a natural passion for sharing information and resources, along with a supportive way of making complex situations manageable.
Whether working with Angela on a board of directors or learning from her as I co-facilitated my first cohort at the University of Vermont’s End-of-Life Doula PACE Program, Angela has been a consistent mentor. Her leadership style is inclusive, with open communication and a genuine belief in the collective power of a team. Angela’s knack for bringing out the best in everyone creates and elevates a quality interaction with her and all involved. Knowing Angela has left an indelible mark on my approach to both my career and personal life.”
With gratitude,