Nurturing the Human-Animal Bond

“Sacred rituals help, like maybe a massage,” she said. “After she goes out in the morning, I get a neck wrap that you can microwave and put it around her hips and shoulders. It’s a simple little ritual she has, but you can actually see her smile.”

Other “sacred rituals” help as well, like going for a ride in the car so she can stick her head out the window or taking her for a walk in the woods.                                                 

These days, Lady is in need of some extra care as she lost her bonded partner, Duncan, who passed a few weeks ago.

“The first couple of weeks were rough for her,” Baker recalled. “It’s about creating a little more depth in your relationship with them. They are not just a pet; they are a family member.”

Grief over the death of a beloved pet can run deep through the whole extended family.

“Saying goodbye to Duncan recently was one of the hardest things I’ve faced,” she said. “But each animal has left a unique imprint on my heart. Walking through the grief, rather than avoiding it, is something I’ve learned to embrace as a sacred part of the journey.”     

Interest in interspecies connections inspired Baker to launch a unique business in 2022, Paws for Compassion, which serves the Prescott area and beyond.

“As someone who has devoted my life to nurturing the human-animal bond, I provide emotional and spiritual support to people navigating the joys and sorrows of life with their animal companions. From pet blessings to grief counseling, end-of-life rituals and compassion fatigue, I offer compassionate services that support both individuals and professionals – such as veterinary clinics, shelters and pet cremation providers – who care deeply for animals.”

The bond between people and animals is sacred, she says.

“The human-animal bond is a deep, mutually enriching relationship built on trust, presence and care. Animals offer us meaningful companionship, emotional support and often, a sense of spiritual grounding. We, in turn, care for their needs with love and devotion.”

Yet, when people experience the loss of an animal or the emotional fatigue from working with animals in crisis, their pain is often minimized. They may be dismissed or rushed, leaving them feeling isolated.

Baker said she has been reaching out to our community to get the word out about these new services though Facebook and Instagram posts, attendance at local events and notices about her new class offered this summer at Yavapai College.           

Feedback from the public has convinced her there is great need for this kind of emotional and spiritual support.

“The loss of a pet is not always honored as a passage of a loved one,” she said. “What people really need is a sacred way to say goodbye to their loved ones, honoring their time together.”       

Through rituals, compassionate listening and presence, Baker helps people celebrate the deep connections they share with their animal companions.

Baker moved to Prescott more than 25 years ago with her husband, Lucas. They raised two boys, as well as a number of beloved companion pets through the years, including Ruffles (a cockapoo terrier), her first dog of 18 years, Quinn (a beagle), Sheena (an Australian shepherd-coyote mix), Abby (a blind beagle), Daithi (a lop rabbit), and the bonded beagles Duncan and Lady.

Initially, the couple ran a handyman business. Baker went on to serve as director at Willow Creek Charter School.    

“While each role taught me something valuable, my heart was always with animals.”

She resigned from the director position last June so she could focus 100% on her new Paws for Compassion business. She then completed a nine-month, online Animal Chaplaincy Training (ACT) course through Compassion Consortium, which is based in New York.     

“Discovering the Animal Chaplaincy Program felt like coming home,” she said. “The training respects all individuals and their personal beliefs, offering support that resonates – whether or not they follow a specific religion or spiritual path.”                                                                                                                       

Baker says there has been a powerful shift toward holistic and compassionate pet care. “Some veterinarian practices are starting to offer integrative practices that combine holistic modalities. These may include acupuncture, Reiki, herbal medicine, massage and nutritional therapy, working alongside traditional treatments.”               

Baker begins every session by listening. “Some [people] need a compassionate ear; others are navigating complex layers of grief, trauma or longing for connection. Depending on their needs, I may offer guided reflection, personalized rituals, spiritual support or mindfulness-based tools for self-care.”

She notes that elders living alone may experience overwhelming grief when they lose their lifeline, their pets.

Baker operates Paws for Compassion as a sole proprietor, treating clients out of her office in her home or at their homes in the Quad Cities area. Her services are also available over the phone and through Zoom. 

“When we first moved here, I was struck by how many people brought their dogs downtown. It was beautiful to see such a public celebration of their human-animal bond,” she said. “I remember thinking how supportive it felt to be in a community like this that shared their love for their companion animals with a feeling of such love and pride. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Jennifer Baker promotes Paws for Compassion with Lady by her side.