About Paw and Soul
If you’ve ever loved an animal so much that your heart feels fuller just by looking at them, you’re in the right place. You want them cared for with the same tenderness you give, and you want someone who understands that they are not “just a pet.” They are family.
Hi! My name is Rochelle, and I am the owner and founder of Paw and Soul. I have a wonderful husband and two teenage children we are incredibly proud of! We are also fortunate to share our lives with our fur family: Jasper (7), Ellis (5), Sophia (3), and her two kittens, Rose and Blanche (1).
My whole life, I’ve had the joy of living with and caring for many animals — dogs, cats, fish, birds, and guinea pigs — and I’ve even had the opportunity to foster a couple of adorable bunnies. For four years, I volunteered many hours each week at a farm animal sanctuary, and today I continue to give back in different ways, including serving on the board of directors for Boomer’s Haven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. To say I’m an animal lover would be an understatement — animals truly are my world.
The desire to make animals’ lives the best they can be naturally led me to cat sitting. I wanted to take my love and passion for animals and offer others the same quality of care I expect for my own fur family. Now I get to spend even more time caring for those I love the most.
I also know all too well the excruciating pain of grieving the loss of beloved animal companions — as well as the animal friends I’ve cared for and loved. Those losses have forever changed me. Having someone to sit with me in my sorrow, to accept and validate the pain and emotions of losing a beloved companion, has been such a gift on my grief journey. I wanted to offer that same support to others.
Through years of anticipatory grief and eventually the passing of my soul cat, Trinny, I found the courage to make pet loss grief coaching a reality. Today, I walk alongside others with the same compassion I once needed, helping them honour the bond they’ll always carry.
Whether I’m caring for your cat while you’re away or holding space for you in your grief, my promise is the same: I will treat your companion - and your heart - with the most care and compassion.
Because the bond we share with them never truly ends - it simply changes shape, and what remains is love.
My beautiful girl Trinny helped me bring Paw and Soul to life while I was deep in my anticipatory grief, knowing our time with her was drawing closer and closer. Since Trinny passed away she continues to be my light, guiding me through this journey.
“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”
- Martin Buber
Mission
To support pet guardians as they navigate their grief when anticipating or following the loss of their beloved animal companion, helping them to find a path to where their love takes up more space than their pain.
Vision
To create a society that acknowledges and embraces the profound grief associated with pet loss, and treats animals with the compassion and respect they deserve.
Values
Compassion, Kindness, Love, Integrity, Respect
These values represent how I strive to live my life, both personally and professionally. I aim to set a positive example by prioritizing these values in everything I do and how I conduct myself in the world.
