Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Walker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, and that passion led me to take animal science classes in high school, where I discovered a natural ability to connect with animals. I was always drawn not only to animals themselves but also to the relationship they share with the people who love them.
In December 2009, I became a Licensed Veterinary Technician and had the privilege of interning with Dr. Lore Haug, who was the only board-certified veterinary behaviorist in Texas at the time. That experience sparked a deep appreciation for companion animal behavior and strengthened my fascination with the human-animal bond.
From 2010 to 2014, I practiced in wellness medicine before joining Westbury Animal Hospital, where I continue to work today as a patient advocate in a hospital that provides wellness, emergency, and 24-hour intensive care. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of caring for countless pets and supporting families through both joyful moments and some of the hardest days of their lives.
Those experiences revealed something that I felt was missing. While veterinary teams work tirelessly to care for pets, many families leave feeling overwhelmed by the emotional side of a diagnosis, end-of-life decisions, or the loss of a beloved companion. I believed that compassionate guidance and grief support shouldn’t be something people have to search for after they’re already struggling—it should be available to every pet owner.
In April 2024, I became a Certified Pet Loss Grief Support Specialist. Soon afterward, I founded Serene Pet Support LLC, inspired by both my professional experience and the love I have for my own pets. My mission is to help families navigate senior pet care, end-of-life planning, memorialization, and grief with compassion, education, and personalized support.
That mission became even more personal after losing my soul dog, Chico, my 17-year-old Miniature Pinscher, in January 2026. Even with nearly two decades in veterinary medicine and specialized grief training, I experienced the profound emptiness that comes with losing a beloved companion. It reminded me that grief doesn’t discriminate, and no one should have to walk through it alone. Today, every family I work with is served not only through my professional expertise but also through genuine understanding of what it means to love—and lose—a cherished pet.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road but I don’t think meaningful change ever is. I’ve always had grit and believed that if something has the potential to improve the lives of others, it’s worth working hard for. That mindset has carried me through every stage of my career and continues to drive me as I build Serene Pet Support.
One of the biggest challenges has been introducing a service that many people don’t even realize exists. Pet loss grief support and end-of-life planning are often overlooked until families are in the middle of a crisis. My goal has been to change that conversation by helping people see that preparing for a pet’s final chapter isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s about making thoughtful, loving decisions before emotions make those choices even harder.
Building Serene Pet Support while working full-time in veterinary medicine, losing two pets two weeks apart and raising my young daughter has also required a great deal of perseverance. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve invested countless evenings, weekends, and personal time into developing services, creating educational resources, networking, and growing a business from the ground up. There have been moments of self-doubt and exhaustion but I’ve never lost sight of why I started.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Serene Pet Support, LLC?
Serene Pet Support was created to fill a gap that I witnessed throughout my years in veterinary medicine. While pets receive exceptional medical care, many families are left navigating the emotional aspects of aging, end-of-life decisions, and grief on their own. My goal is to provide compassionate, personalized support before, during, and after the loss of a beloved companion.
I offer pet grief counseling, end-of-life planning, memorial planning and coordination, sympathy gifting services, and thoughtfully curated pet keepsakes and accessories that celebrate the human-animal bond. I also provide age-appropriate resources and products to help children understand and cope with the loss of a pet, because grief affects every member of the family.
If there is one service I hope becomes the new standard in pet care, it’s end-of-life planning. I strongly believe these conversations should happen before a crisis occurs. Having a personalized plan in place empowers pet owners to make informed decisions during emotionally difficult moments, whether they’re facing an expected decline or an unexpected emergency. It allows families to focus on being present with their pet instead of scrambling to make decisions under stress.
What truly sets Serene Pet Support apart is the combination of professional expertise and personalized concierge care. As a Licensed Veterinary Technician with nearly two decades of experience and a Certified Pet Loss Grief Support Specialist, I understand both the medical and emotional sides of this journey. Every plan and every service is tailored to the individual family because no two pets, and no two relationships, are ever the same.
More than anything, I want people to think of Serene Pet Support as a place of peace. I want pet owners to know they don’t have to navigate difficult decisions or overwhelming grief alone. Whether I’m helping a family prepare for their pet’s final chapter, coordinating a meaningful memorial, supporting someone through loss, or helping a child process the death of a beloved pet, my goal is always the same: to provide compassionate guidance so families can focus on what matters most—the love they share with their pets.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are the summers I spent with my grandfather exploring Houston. He had an incredible way of slowing down and noticing the world around us. Whether it was a bird perched on a fence, squirrels in the park, or even ants making their way across the sidewalk, he would stop and point them out, teaching me that every living thing has a story and a purpose. Those moments taught me to be curious and to appreciate the small details that many people overlook.
We also spent time at the Houston Public Library, where I discovered *National Geographic* magazines. They sparked a fascination with wildlife, different cultures, and places far beyond my own neighborhood. Those afternoons opened the door to a lifelong love of travel and learning. Even today, traveling remains one of my greatest passions because I believe the world is endlessly interesting. Every place, every culture, and every ecosystem has something to teach us, and I think that sense of curiosity continues to shape both who I am and the way I connect with people and animals alike.
Pricing:
- Pet Grief Counseling Starts at $55/session; you first session is always free
- End-of-Life Planning starts at $75 per pet
- Memorial Planning starts at $50 per pet
- Sympathy Gifts averagely ranges from $25-$85
- Other Items range from $2-$250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.serenepetsupport.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serene.pet.support/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Serenepetsupport/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/serenepetsupport?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=256e2f78-f9ce-4e7e-86a2-dbe5dc0e1d6c
Image Credits
John Glaser Photography and Nala Shots Pet Photography
