Welcome to Joey Leslie Honouring Pets, where we understand the profound impact of pet loss.
Providing grief‑informed education and companioning for pet parents and veterinary teams, honouring our beloved companions.
Providing grief‑informed education and companioning for pet parents and veterinary teams, honouring our beloved companions.
I believe in treating each person of a family, each caregiver of a beloved animal companion, and every member of the veterinary team with empathy and respect, especially during times of pet loss, honouring the impact of a life changing situation and loss on all those connected to the animal’s life and care.
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A veterinary social worker walks alongside families and their animals with compassion, helping them navigate the emotions, uncertainties, and tender moments that arise in veterinary care. They also care for the veterinary team, offering grounding support during difficult conversations, holding space after hard cases, and helping protect the team’s emotional well‑being so they can continue doing their meaningful work with clarity, connection, and heart.
As a companion animal advocate and pet parent, I understand the depth and complexity of relationships with our beloved animal companions especially during times of illness, end‑of‑life, and loss. I have worked within the veterinary medical setting, supporting clients as they navigate difficult conversations and decisions about their pets, and I bring this lived and professional experience into all aspects of my work.
My approach is grounded in grief and pet loss, anticipatory grief, memorialization, communication support, and the ways mental health and family dynamics intersect with the human–animal bond. I draw on evidence‑informed, trauma‑aware practices to help people make sense of these experiences in ways that feel respectful, grounded, and meaningful.
I hold a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Community Focus, and I am certified through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC).
I am honoured to be part of the pet loss and companion animal support community and am committed to giving back in meaningful ways. My work includes participating in local events, collaborating with other organizations, and advocating for policies that honour the lives, relationships, and stories of animal companions.
Animals hold a profound place in our lives, leaving lasting imprints on our hearts. I walk alongside individuals and families as they navigate pet loss, offering support that honours each unique relationship and allows space for remembrance, meaning, and care.
I provide grief‑informed support to companion caregivers and veterinary care teams navigating end‑of‑life care, pet loss, and the emotional weight that accompanies these moments. Support may take place over time—before or after a loss—and can be adapted to meet the needs of each individual, family, or care environment.
Pet loss is a deeply emotional experience, and no two journeys are the same. I walk alongside people as they face difficult conversations and decisions regarding a beloved animal companion, offering steady presence, respectful guidance, and space to move at a pace that feels right.
Support may include presence during euthanasia, assistance with final arrangements, and support with remembrance and memorialization. My approach is grounded in compassion, empathy, and lived experience, having personally known both sudden loss and loss related to illness or age. I hold these moments with care, dignity, and deep respect for the human–animal bond.
I am familiar with several pet aftercare service providers in the greater Edmonton area and have visited emergency and after‑hours veterinary clinics. If you are navigating one of the most challenging moments in caring for an animal companion, you are welcome to reach out for support or guidance.
At Joey Leslie Honouring Pets, I am dedicated to providing high-quality, research-based workshops and CE information sessions for your teams, especially focusing on the sensitive topic of pet loss. I can assist with heartfelt communication, boundary setting, responding to passionate pet parents, self-care strategies, and mental health issues related to pet loss. I have presented information to Veterinary Medical Professionals and have appeared on television and radio. My Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies emphasized enhancing communication between team members and their clients. I am certified by the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) as both a Veterinary Social Worker and a Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Advocate (CHPA). Additionally, I hold certification in Group Critical Incident Debriefing. Contact me to discuss your team's needs and how I can assist, particularly in navigating conversations around pet loss.