Dragonfly End-of-Life Services

06/22/2026

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Pets may be doing more than offering companionship as we age.

A long-term study published in Scientific Reports found that adults over 50 who owned dogs or cats experienced slower cognitive decline compared to non-pet owners. Dog owners showed stronger memory retention over time, while cat owners had a slower loss of verbal skills, pointing to possible benefits tied to daily routines, mental stimulation, and social interaction.
Researchers note that while pets aren’t a cure, they may play a meaningful role in supporting brain health as people get older.

06/21/2026

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Can Dogs Help Us Feel Like We Matter?

Being loved is nice. But feeling needed might be even more powerful.

Psychologists call this feeling mattering—the sense that you're important to someone, that your presence makes a difference, and that you'd be missed if you weren't there.

A recent study found that many veterans partnered with service dogs described exactly that feeling. Their dogs gave them a reason to get up in the morning, stick to a routine, go outside, and take care of another living being. Some even said their dogs helped them become more aware of their own emotions and behaviors.

The researchers found that veterans often felt noticed, appreciated, needed, accepted, and emotionally connected through their relationship with their dogs.

One veteran summed it up simply:

"It doesn't matter how bad it gets, he is still right beside you."

We often talk about how much our pets mean to us. This study suggests that part of their magic may be that they make us feel like we matter to them, too.

Pavelich AR. How human-animal connections promote "mattering" among veterans living with syndemic pain and suicidality. Human-Animal Interactions. 2026;14:0016.

Photo: K9s For Warriors

06/12/2026

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Join us for Companioning Animals at End of Life as we honor this bond and explore meaningful ways to care for and remember the animals in our lives.

Whether you come as a devoted animal companion or as a caregiver/doula wishing to expand your practice, you are welcome here.

Visit our website for more information and to register✨

06/10/2026

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For some of us, losing a pet is the most painful loss we’ll ever face.

If your pet’s death hit you harder than the people around you understood, you’re not broken. You’re not being dramatic.

A study found that 7.5% of people whose most distressing loss was a pet met the criteria for prolonged grief disorder. The same rate is seen after many kinds of human loss, with the grief showing up the same way, no matter the species.

Here’s what still stings. The official guidelines won’t let that grief be diagnosed when the loss is a pet. The pain is identical. The recognition isn’t.

Grief this size only comes from love this size.

Leave a 🧡 in the comments to let us know you’re here with us.

We understand what it’s like to love an older pet and to face what comes with that. If you need support or community, follow us at Love, Baxter 🧡

06/10/2026

06/08/2026

This was one of the most meaningful experiences of my doula career 🩵

06/08/2026

Looking forward to this event! 🐾🩵🐾

🎉 IAAHPC Announces 2026 Virtual Conference: Innovate With Intention

Registration is now open for the 2026 IAAHPC Annual Virtual Conference, taking place September 25–27, 2026!

This three-day virtual event will bring together animal hospice and palliative care professionals from around the world for 35+ hours of RACE-approved CE, expert-led education, networking, sponsor exhibitions, and a Certification Graduation Celebration.

With keynotes from Dr. Andy Roark and Dr. Kemba Marshall, plus sessions across end-of-life care, communication, pain management, exotics, business, rehab, and more, this is the premier gathering for professionals committed to compassionate, comfort-oriented care.

🐾 Early bird registration is open through July 1.

Register now: IAAHPC.org/conference