Hi! I'm Hilary, the founder of Pet Love & Loss.

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Welcome. I am a certified pet loss bereavement and compassion fatigue specialist, here at Pet Love & Loss. I work part-time in an animal hospital located in Abbotsford, BC, Canada as a vet nurse. I also started a non-profit here in the Fraser Valley in April of 2025 helping people in Fraser Valley communities access the necessary resources to keep pets in their homes. We also have a funding assisted spay and neuter program. I have been in the veterinary profession since 2012.

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I am a mother to two grown daughters, Alison & Hailey. My home has 5 cats, which all bring their unique personalities to the table, and keep things interesting! 3 out of the 5 cats were rescues. Freddy was a very sick barn kitten, whom was brought into a vet clinic I worked at back-in-the-day by a very kind dairy farmer. Needless to say, I ended up taking him home. Marley-Bob was found on a farm with 3 of her siblings a few years ago. They were about to be run over by a tractor. Thankfully, the farmer saw something (I'm not sure what) that alerted him to the kittens. They had no mother present, and she never came back. They are most likely from a feral mom (as Marley-Bob still has feral tendencies, three years later).

 

Penzy (aka Zee Zee or Zebra) was brought into the animal hospital I currently work at by a local resident in early 2025. She was young, not spayed, starving and anemic. I took her home. She is the sweetest cat. She was definitely someone's cat but I could not locate the owner. So, she is now my little buddy, attached to my hip. Our other cats are Puddy, she is 11 (gentle, quiet). And Nala, who is approximately 5 and is my daughter, Hailey's partner, Dayton's cat. Both Hailey and Dayton are on the board of Directors for our non-profit, The Fraser Valley Feline Welfare Society.

 

My other educational achievements over the years include certifications in counselling, grief & loss counselling, pet aging/illness/end-of-life (animal palliative & hospice care), animal naturopathy, mindfulness & wellness coaching, self-love/esteem coaching, and more. 

 

A bit more about me: I love to read and learn. Especially about the human-animal bond, psychology, grief/loss, self-improvement/development, and anything related to the health and well-being of animals. I also love the outdoors; the forest, lakes, rivers, the ocean. I was born and spent most of my life on Vancouver Island, BC. I love to garden, and my houseplants. I also love woodworking, painting, restoring furniture, sewing and crafting.

 

Some of the devastating losses I have personally experienced in my 50+ years on this Earth include (but not limited too): the loss of many beloved pets, the loss of cherished family members including my dad, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and a few life-long friends. One thing I did learn along the way is that every loss is unique and the grief experienced is also unique. 

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I take a deeply empathetic, compassionate approach when helping others that encompasses mind, body, spirit and soul, and their interconnectedness. I am here to walk alongside of you in your grief. To be that understanding, loving companion/friend that you need in this moment of time. Your loss may be recent or from many years ago. I am here to meet you wherever you are on your journey.

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Just know, asking for help is incredibly brave. You are incredibly brave. Your pet(s) (and other significant humans you've lost) would want you to heal and live your best life. You deserve to feel heard, seen, supported, safe, and to find peace.

 

Grieving is messy. It is hard. I am here to be present in your pain, to honour your spirit, listen with my heart, bear witness to your struggles, as you process the complicated emotions. You will have good days, and you will have bad days. And that is normal and okay! Society wants us to "hurry up" and get back to living our lives as quickly as possible as if nothing happened. That is not okay. It is important for people to grieve. People need to grieve. Grieving has no timeline.

 

You can connect to me via email at: petloveandloss@gmail.com if you have any questions, or would like to get started on your healing journey. 

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~ With deep empathy & compassion, love & light, 

Hilary