Animal Hospice, End of Life, and Palliative Care Project

Animal hospice is more than veterinary care — it’s whole-family support for one of life’s most challenging transitions. AHELP was founded to ensure that every pet parent has access to pet hospice caregiver support and to prevent others from having to go through that experience feeling alone. 

About AHELP Founder Michelle Nichols

My journey into animal hospice became deeply personal when our beloved Boxer, Brodie, was nearing the end of his life. Guided by my mom, a human hospice nurse, I embraced the principles of comfort and dignity to give him a peaceful, love-filled passing at home. Less than a year later, I faced the loss of my second Boxer, Sora, after a long and complicated hospice journey. In her final hours, I felt utterly alone—until a mentor gently reminded me, “You made a plan for this.” That memory became my anchor. 

These two experiences—one grounded in support, the other marked by loneliness—opened my heart to the vital importance of caregiver guidance and connection. I realized I’d already been walking the path of animal hospice care, and from that realization, the Animal Hospice, End of Life, and Palliative Care Project was born.

AHELP's Caregiver Support Mission

Since its founding in 2011, AHELP’s mission has been to provide systems for easier access to animal hospice caregiver support by utilizing a team of animal hospice-educated and mentored professionals. Over ten years of supporting dog and cat parents who wanted comfort care for their pets with a life-limiting diagnosis led me to develop the framework behind AHELP's 1:1 Partners to the Bridge Animal Hospice Coaching offering, which provides on-demand online access and video conference meetings.

Animal Hospice Companion Coaching offers long-term guidance, emotional support, and confidence-building throughout the entire process, from diagnosis through end-of-life planning and early grief management.

Best for: Pet parents in the early or mid-stage of a terminal or chronic illness who want steady, ongoing support through every phase of their pet’s illness and end-of-life journey --- and beyond. What’s included:

• A 1:1 guided, personalized 6-session coaching package

• Regular video coaching sessions with your Animal Hospice Coach

• Ongoing emotional and practical support between sessions

• A structured roadmap for what’s ahead, created in collaboration

• Development of Your Pet’s Advance Directive, an AHELP-exclusive planning tool

• Optional communication with your veterinary team for coordinated care

• Support continues beyond death with a bonus remembrance session

Animal Hospice Transition Coaching provides short-term, milestone-based support that brings clarity, comfort, and expert guidance during your pet’s final days.

Best for: Pet parents whose dog or cat is under the care of a trusted local veterinarian and is looking for additional expert, disease-specific guidance to make informed, calm, and confident decisions during a time of rapid change. What’s included:

• Three individually scheduled coaching sessions

• A collaborative team that includes an Animal Hospice Coach and a hospice-trained veterinarian

• Direct coordination with your pet’s local veterinary team

• Focused support at key milestones:

  • Sudden decline or a terminal diagnosis

  • Turning points and time-sensitive decisions

  • Grief, remembrance, and early bereavement

Comprehensive Care Call is a 45-minute video conference or phone call to troubleshoot today's most pressing problems or kickstart your animal hospice journey. Includes one email follow-up call with resources and personalized Partners to the Bridge tools.

The sooner we begin, the more space we have to provide you with comfort, compassion, and clarity. Schedule a 15-minute FREE Quick Connect Call to get to know Michelle and learn more..

Still unsure? Read “Why Pet Hospice Coaching?” to learn how our caregiver support and coaching differ from therapy and veterinary care — and why it may be the missing piece in your animal comfort care team.