top of page
Shel Graves smiling with two medium-sized dogs on her lap. The dogs have relaxed, happy, open-mouthed expressions.

Events With Shel Graves

Shel Graves Animal Consulting is excited to offer workshops, classes, and presentations to our community. See you there!

Where Will Shel Be Next?

Keep up with Shel Graves Animal Consulting, Doing Our Best for Animals: news of events, blog posts, and services.

Thank you! Paws up!

New: In-Person Companion Animal Grief and Loss Support Group at Everett Unity Center

The support group will  provide community and emotional and spiritual support for people who care deeply about animals. It is an interfaith and interspiritual group. All are welcome! 

 

The group is not meant to be a substitute for professional therapy or mental health counseling. 

 

Fee:  $15 per session or $45 for five sessions.
Fees support Shel Graves Animal Consulting and Everett Unity Center for Positive Living, which has generously provided a space for the group to gather. 

 

The first session will be 11 am, Sat. Nov. 16. The last session meets Jan. 18. 

 

You may come for one session to check out the group, if you like. To build community and receive the most benefit, however, plan to attend 3-5 sessions and let the group know when it is your last session so we may wish you well and keep you in our thoughts.

 

What to expect:

  • We’ll begin with some agreements to create a safe space and a reflection to establish a sense of connection.

  • Everyone will have the opportunity to share about their loved one. 

Please bring a photo if you like.

  • Silence is OK, too. Expect some moments of silence.

  • We’ll end each session with an idea for something helpful to take with you, a blessing to establish our connection, and we’ll end on a lighter note so you can continue on to your Saturday plans.

 

What does all are welcome mean? 

You may talk about:

  • any animal loss (past or anticipated)

  • any species loss (mammal, bird, reptile, fish, amphibians, invertebrates)

  • a longtime companion or an animal known to you briefly

  • what gives you comfort (books, music, prayer, meditation, rituals) and your important beliefs (religion, spirituality, systems of meaning-making)

  • your emotions and express them

 

What does safe space mean?

Participants agree to share time, support others, respect boundaries, and create a welcoming environment. Kindness.
 

Online support groups:

 

Other resources:

Sacred Sendoffs: An Animal Chaplain’s Advice for Surviving Animal Loss, Making Life Meaningful, and Healing the Planet by Reverend Sarah A. Bowen, sacredsendoffs.com

 

About Shel Graves:

Shel became an animal chaplain due to experiencing many animal deaths and losses while working at an animal sanctuary. She is an ordained animal chaplain through the Compassion Consortium, an interfaith, interspiritual, and interspecies center. Shel was also a volunteer with Providence Hospice and Home Care Snohomish County. Read more: Animal Chaplains in the News: Tips for Grieving Losses

Doing Our Best
for Animals

Compassion Consortium Chaplain
Fear Free Certified Professional Logo
The Pet Professional Guild Member Badge: Proud Member: No Pain, No Force, No Fear; Informed by Science, Guided by Empathy, Governed by Ethics
IAABC member certified
bottom of page