About us

Hi, I'm Shayna.  With me is Maximus, and the name on my sweater honors my beloved Ezekiel. These boys are very special to me. I have owned dogs since I was a child.  Despite owning several dogs, I am always forgetful and saddened by how fast our time together goes by.  The pain of losing a pet can leave you feeling devastated, lonely, and misunderstood. 

For the past 20 years, I have worked as a marriage and family therapist, helping countless clients work through various issues, including grief.  Pet loss grief is not something that is always acknowledged, respected, or validated.  After having several of my own heartbreaking experiences with this unfortunate grief, in addition to being inspired by the amazing dogs that I have had the opportunity to love, I became trained in pet loss grief.  I know firsthand how life changing this loss can be.  I am dedicated to helping you heal and cope with the loss of your beloved pet.

"My pain matters too"

At Courage to Heal Counseling Services, LLC, our approach is rooted in the belief that the loss of a beloved pet can be just as devastating as a human family member.  We believe that this loss deserves the same level of care and attention as the loss of a human family member.  We recognize the challenges you may face finding support for your loss. We are here to offer the support and guidance that you may be unable to receive from others.