Overview
Many people consider their pets members of the family. When a beloved dog, cat, horse, or other companion animal is nearing end-of-life, the stress of decision-making coupled with the demands of caregiving can easily become overwhelming. Enter the End-of-Life Doula specializing in end of life pet care for companion animals.
What sets UVM apart
Supportive Community
Join a network of practicing doulas through an alumni Facebook group, book clubs, networking events, annual retreats, and quarterly newsletters.
Credibility Through UVM
The first End-of-Life Doula program influenced by UVM’s Robert Larner College of Medicine faculty. Our program produces graduates recognized for their expertise and trusted by families seeking compassionate care.
Instructors from Diverse Fields
Learn from instructors with advanced degrees and active careers in thanatology, psychology, and counseling. Their combined expertise ensures a well-rounded view of end-of-life care.
Continuously Evolving Curriculum
Our program expands with each session, adding new resources and materials based on student feedback to meet the evolving needs and interests of our community.
Self-Care and Personal Growth
Our program goes beyond professional training. Graduates leave not only ready to care for others but with deeper self-awareness and tools for self-care in end-of-life work. Many describe it as both a doula education and a journey of self-discovery.
Extensive Professional Network
UVM End-of-Life Doula alumni are affiliated with the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UVM, opening doors to additional learning and networking opportunities. When alumni join the Osher Directory, they gain broader visibility and connection within the integrative health community.
Admissions
Who is this course for?
- Aspiring doulas for companion animals
- End-of-life care practitioners who would like further specialization in companion animals
- Pet hospice and palliative care workers/volunteers
- Veterinary Technicians
- Pet care takers, such as dog walkers and pet sitters
- Spiritual care providers
- Pet owners
Curriculum
“When I saw UVM’s companion animal end-of-life doula program, it was the perfect marriage of my interests. I wanted to learn more about how cultures react to the death of both humans and animals but also through that knowledge, I could be useful for others and in my own experiences as a dog owner.”
Emily Wills, Program Alumnae
Schedule of Sessions
Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate
Session | Dates | Registration Deadline |
---|---|---|
Spring Session | 06/9/25 – 07/27/25 | 06/2/25 |
Summer Session | 09/8/25 – 10/19/25 | 09/01/25 |
Course description
Dates: June 9 – July 27, 2025
An optional, asynchronous, self-paced orientation will open one week prior to the course starting to familiarize students with Brightspace. This is 100% optional and will take approximately 1 hour to complete.
The course includes six online modules:
- Week 1: Doula Care and the Human-Animal Bond
- Week 2: Hospice and Palliative Care
- Week 3: Preparing for Death
- Week 4: Self-Care and Grief Support
- Week 5: Complexities of Grief
- Week 6: After Death Care and Memorialization
Please note that Brightspace works best with a desktop or laptop computer. There is limited functionality when accessed by a phone or tablet (e.g., iPads). Please make sure you have access to a desktop and/or laptop computer for the duration of the class.
“I believe it’s an important aspect for veterinary technicians and veterinary receptionists to understand the role of a doula because they are on the front lines of many practices. They’re talking to clients about their emotions and loss. I could see how this class could help all of those in the veterinary profession.”
Ken Gorczyca, Program Alumni and Instructor
Student Stories
“I am very grateful to have found and done this course. The instructor and facilitator modeled the right kind of behavior and approach which was helpful in applying the theories of doulaship. I also think the course just made me an overall better person!”
Leslie Harris, Program Alumnae
Instructors
Program Lead & Instructors
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Frances Pope, LPC/S, LAC, LCMHC
End-of-Life Doula Program Lead
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Summer Brooks
Registered Veterinary Technician
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Greg Brown
End-of-Life Doula Instructor
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Heather Caulfield Mills
End-of-Life Doula Instructor
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Tessa Cone
End-of-Life Doula Instructor
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Matilda Garrido, CT, MS, MSB
End-of-Life Doula Instructor
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Ken Gorczyca
DVM (he/his/his)
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Angela Shook
End-of-Life Doula Instructor
Featured Presenters & Contributors
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Robert E. Gramling, MD
Holly & Bob Miller Chair in Palliative Medicine Division Chief, Palliative Medicine Physician
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Michelle Acciavatti, M.S.
End-of-Life Specialist at Ending Well
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Francesca Arnoldy
(EMERITUS) FOUNDING LEAD INSTRUCTOR
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Kat Arnoldy
Energy Medicine Practitioner and Doula
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Chelsea Chalfant, BSN, OCN, CHPN
Nurse, UVM Health Network Home Health and Hospice
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Mary Beth Daniels, MDiv
Spiritual Counselor, Celebrant, Animal Therapist, Healer, EOL Doula
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Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio
LMFT, SPHR, Family Therapist and Author
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Caroline Horn
Veterinarian and Anesthesiologist’s Assistant
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Eileen Maher
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Craig Phillips
Death Doula
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Kathleen Scacciaferro
Healing Touch Practitioner; UVM College of Nursing Lecturer
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Jamie Shaw
Canine Behaviorist and Ethologist
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Marta Shoman
Registered Psychotherapist, Certified Nursing Assistant
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Molly Witters
VMD
Scholarship
UVM Scholarship
At this time, we are not taking scholarship applications, please check back for future opportunities.
The End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate program supports the development and entry into the Doula profession of more individuals who, by their background, work, studies, and/or service endeavors, increase, support and demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The goal of this scholarship is to broaden the reach of doulas and aspiring doulas to provide culturally-affirming EOL care within more communities. The scholarship covers the entire cost of the End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate course of your choice.
- End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate
- Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate 6-week course
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA – must meet all three:
- Citizenship: you must be a current resident of the United States*; and
- Financial need: you must certify that you have income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) by household size*; and
- Service: you must indicate by your background or through your work, studies, and/or service endeavors, that you are supporting the dignities of others; and
- Commitment: you are committed to furthering compassionate care through your doula work.
- *UVM reserves the right to ask for documentation for these criteria.
- Please note that scholarships can be awarded based on a percentage of tuition, and they are dependent on the enrollment of the course the funding is requested for. Scholarships cannot be applied to any future course should you cancel your registration.
At this time, the scholarship is only open to current US residents.
Persons in family/household | Annual Household Income (300% of the federal poverty guidelines) |
---|---|
1 | $40,770 |
2 | $54,930 |
3 | $69,090 |
4 | $83,250 |
5 | $97,410 |
6 | $111,570 |
7 | $125,730 |
8 | $139,890 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $14,160 for each additional person |
Group Registration Offer – 15% Discount
We are excited to offer a 15% discount for group registrations of 10 or more participants from the same organization. This is a great opportunity to upskill your team while saving on training costs!
How it works:
- Register 10 or more participants from the same organization to receive a 15% discount on the total course fee. The discounted fee is $760.75 per student.
- All participants must be registered together under the same organization to qualify for the discount.
Next steps:
- Please email a purchase order to PACEFinance@uvm.edu for your group registration with a list of the students to register, including email addresses.
- Once we receive the purchase order, we will issue an invoice for payment.
- Please mail check payment to UVM PACE, 23 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401.
- Once payment is made, you will receive an employer discount code to share with your employees so they can self-register for the course. The discount code will be limited to the number of paid students.
- Please submit a new purchase order to add additional students.
Please note:
- No refunds will be issued once payment is completed.
- Students will be placed into different class sections if no specific request for placement is made
FAQ
The 6-week certificate course costs $895. A scholarship is available via the application information above. Learn about additional options for discounts, grants, loans, scholarships, and more on our tuition and financial aid page.
No. The one required reading book for this course, Saying Good-Bye to Your Beloved Pet by Dana Durrance, is available as a free download from within the course.
No. Non-credit courses do not currently qualify for tuition remission.
No, we do not have payment plans, you must pay in full by credit card when you register.
If you need to cancel your attendance, you must notify us via email at learn@uvm.edu or call us at (802) 656-2085 at least three business days prior to the start date of the course to receive a full refund, less a $25 cancellation fee. If a medical condition necessitates cancellation/withdrawal (documentation provided), this will be reviewed by our Studies Committee for any type of refund.
End-of-Life Doulas specializing in animal companion care complement the work provided by palliative and hospice care for pets provided by veterinarians. Doulas support animals and their owners with compassionate care in a number of ways, including emotional and informational support during this difficult time.
There is no specific coursework required for this certificate. Primarily, we want you to have a deep commitment to providing compassionate care for animals who are dying.
Upon successful completion of this course, learners will have the skillset and mindset to offer doula services to families and owners who are experiencing end-of-life care for their companion animals. For individuals offering end-of-life doula care for humans, these new skills will nicely complement the work they are already doing and they will be able offer additional services to clients surrounding companion animals. Individuals already working in the pet care industry will be equipped with the skills to better support clients during end-of-life care of their beloved pets.
You will be assessed on your participation in the discussion boards, completion of assignments, and comprehension of the course material. In order to receive an electronic Certificate of Completion, students must receive a 70% or better in the course. Because this is a non-credit professional program, there is no transcript.
- Log in to your Credly account and locate the badge you’d like the certificate for on your Credly Dashboard.
- Click into the badge and select “Share” at the top of the page. Here you’ll notice several share options.
- Select the tab with the “printer” icon and select “Download PDF.”
- You can choose to print the downloaded PDF for a printable copy of your certificate.
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Session 1: The Role and Scope of an End-of-Life Doula
- Session 2: Self-Care
- Session 3: Ask a Doula
Students spend about 7 to 10 hours per week on the coursework. Optional orientation is offered the week before the program starts and it takes approximately one hour to complete.
Yes. Our certificate is 100% online. Please note that class materials are in English.
We recommend using a browser other than Internet Explorer with our Brightspace online learning system. Firefox, Google Chrome, or other browsers tend to work more effectively with Brightspace. It’s very important to note that Brightspace will only work with a desktop or laptop computer. It is not designed to be used with phones or tablets (e.g., iPads), so please make sure you have access to a desktop and/or laptop computer for the duration of the class.
If you are a non-credit student seeking accessibility support, please email access@uvm.edu and the UVM Student Accessibility Services team will be able to assist. In your email, please include that you do not have a 95 number/NetID.
- Have questions about taking an online or distance education course? Visit the Online and Distance Education FAQ page
- Have more basic questions about Professional and Distance Education? Visit our About Us and FAQs pages.
Advising and Student Support
You have the goal; we’ll help you achieve it
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