Litlte Hops of Light Visits

Little Hops of Light

Christian Pet Death Doula Comfort Visits for Children
Grieving a Beloved Pet

Helping little hearts through life's tender goodbyes.

Little Hops of Light: provides Christian, family-centered comfort visits for children experiencing the anticipated or recent loss of a beloved animal. Through a calm, nurturing presence, faith-based encouragement, remembrance activities, and grief support, we help children honor their pet's life and navigate the journey of saying goodbye.

Our goal is not to rush grief away, but to create a safe space where children can remember, mourn, celebrate, and heal.

Our Mission

Little Hops of Light exists to provide compassionate Christian support for children and families facing the loss of a beloved pet. We seek to honor the sacred bond between children and their pets while offering comfort, hope, and gentle guidance rooted in God's love.

What Is a Pet Death Doula?

A pet death doula offers emotional, practical, and compassionate support before, during, and after a pet's passing.

For children, this can mean:
• Answering questions about illness, dying, and grief in age-appropriate ways
• Helping children express feelings through conversation, art, storytelling, and memory-making
• Supporting families during anticipatory grief
• Creating meaningful goodbye rituals
• Offering faith-centered comfort and prayer when welcomed
• Helping children understand that grief is a natural expression of love

Our Services

Comfort Visits Before a Goodbye

When a rabbit is elderly, seriously ill, or nearing the end of life, children often sense that changes are happening.

These visits may include:

Gentle preparation for what to expect
Discussions about love, caregiving, and compassion
Family support and guidance
Memory-making activities
Prayer and scripture reflection, if desired
Creating special farewell moments

comfort Visits After Loss

After a rabbit's passing, children may experience sadness, confusion, anger, guilt, or loneliness.

Support may include:
• Individual or family grief visits
• Memory-sharing and storytelling
• Remembrance crafts and keepsakes
• Letter-writing to a beloved pet
• Faith-centered encouragement
• Age-appropriate grief education
• Follow-up support

Memory & Legacy Activities

Every pet leaves a unique imprint on the hearts they touch.

Children may choose activities such as:
• Memory boxes and bracelets
• Tribute letters and artwork
• “Favorite Moments” storytelling
• Memorial keepsakes
• Prayer cards
• Celebration of Life ceremonies

Our Faith-Centered Approach

At Little Hops of Light, we believe that God's love surrounds families during times of sorrow and loss.

We honor each family's faith journey and offer:
• Compassionate Christian presence
• Prayer when requested
• Scripture readings appropriate for children
• Conversations about love, hope, gratitude, and remembrance
• Respect for differing beliefs and family traditions

Faith-based elements are always offered with sensitivity and according to family preference

For Parents

Parents often wonder:
• "How do I tell my child our rabbit is dying?"
• "What if my child asks difficult questions?"
• "How can I help them cope?"
• "Should my child be present during euthanasia?"
• "How do we honor our pet's life?"

Little Hops of Light provides guidance and support for these conversations, helping parents respond with honesty, compassion, and confidence.

Why Pet Loss Matters

For many children, the death of a beloved pet is their first experience with grief.

The loss of a rabbit may represent:
• The loss of a best friend
• The loss of a daily companion
• The loss of comfort and routine
• A child's first encounter with mortality

When children are supported through grief, they learn valuable lessons about love, empathy, resilience, remembrance, and healing.

Scripture for Comfort

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

Discover the meaning of Anam Cara - Soul Friend

What are Anam Care Doula Visits

At the End-of-Life, in the quiet threshold between life and death, there exists a sacred place – a place of release, remembrance and return. As an End-of-Life Doula rooted in the Celtic tradition of Anam Cara, I offer a compassionate presence with animal assistance for those nearing death and for their loved ones who walk beside them. It is my role to serve both as witness and guide, walking as a soul friend through their final days to help provide for a good death.

The Ministry of Anam Cara – Soul Friend Companionship – In the Celtic tradition of Anam Cara – a soul friend is someone with whom you can share the innermost parts of your heart and soul. I listen deeply and hold space for reflection and sharing, allowing people to explore their feelings. With this guidance, letting go, forgiveness, acceptance, gratitude and love all become easier. I behold the light and beauty of each soul.

Peaceful Presence with Therapy Rabbits – The rabbits allow space for us to feel safe and to hear the whispers from God. They bring unconditional love and joy to these sacred moments that words often cannot. By holding the rabbits close to our hearts, we realize how much this contact and closeness matters. Their quite presence, held in stillness, opens the door to many healing gifts and the most precious of moments spent with our loved ones.

Rabbits have been known in many cultures to symbolize the cycles of life and death, rebirth and new beginnings. They teach us how to live fully in the present moment, have hope for the new journey ahead and awaken to the most important things in life. They are a powerful symbol for transformation and can help us to remember our spiritual nature. These are all beautiful gifts to share with a person at the end of life, as well as with family members.

Because every beloved pet leaves a little light behind
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Matthew 5:4

Please contact Christi at 336-766-1444 (home) or 336-655-5664 (cell for calls or text) or email: Christi@mrscottontailandfriends.com

I am happy to have a consultation with you over the phone to discuss your personal needs before a visit is arranged.

About Christi Eley's End-of-Life Doula Experience:

Founder and Owner of Mrs. Cottontail and Friends – visiting over 60 senior care facilities in the last 15 years working with many people at the end of life.
Death Doula Training through INELDA (International End of Life Doula Association)
Professional Experience in the Grief Counseling Department of Hospice
Volunteer for Trellis Supportive Care (Hospice Home in WS)
Certified Medical Assistant
Many personal experiences with death from an early age, later father's cancer journey and the tragic murder of two family members.
Student of Christian Contemplation with many retreats/workshops/courses.
Celtic Anam Cara Training.
Certified Yoga Instructor focusing on Meditation/Guided Imagery

Our Clients Say

I got to know Christi Eley when my father was a patient at Arbor Acres skilled nursing facility. Christi is a deeply compassionate, creative, and dedicated person, who brings joy and comfort to the elderly through her unique approach. She has a remarkable ability to connect with people of different backgrounds, personalities, and needs. She is respectful, patient, and attentive, and always shows genuine interest and care for the residents.
Christi had a tremendous impact on my father, a dentist who became a quadriplegic in a fall. He was mentally sharp and a voracious reader but reserved, avoiding the usual community activities. Before his accident, he had a horse farm and had a passion for animals. Christi brought her rabbits his room, engaged him slowly and thoughtfully and, over time, developed a strong connection with him. Through her rabbits, lots of patience and creativity, she was able to get through his often prickly exterior like no one else. She became his most cherished visitor and brought him much joy. Dad so enjoyed these visits that he worked with Christi to schedule a surprise visit for our young daughter when we were visiting from Seattle. Christi also built a wonderful relationship with my mother. After my father passed, Christi made special trips to our home to visit my mother every Christmas and birthday. As Mom’s memory faded, she would regularly ask when she could visit the rabbits again.
I highly recommend Christi Eley for any opportunity that involves connecting with people and animals. She is a unique, rare and deeply caring person, who has a passion for making a difference in the world.
Sincerely, Brian Young

“Let there be an opening into the quiet that lies beneath the chaos, where you find the peace you did not think possible and see what shimmers within the storm.”

John O'Donohue, Anam Cara

Mrs. Cottontail and Friends