workshops & faq

Embracing Deeper Connections Workshop

Moving Through Anticipatory Grief With Presence

A Supportive Workshop for Pet Parents

Beginning Tuesday, April 1st

You Don’t Have to Walk This Path Alone…

Caring for a beloved pet through their senior years, an illness, or end-of-life journey is one of the most tender and heart-wrenching experiences we face. The weight of decisions, the uncertainty of what’s to come, and the deep love you hold for your pet can make this time both beautiful and overwhelming.

Embracing Deeper Connections (EDC) is a live, intimate workshop designed to help you move with and through this season with more presence, discover your inner resilience, and find a sense of peace. Instead of feeling lost in fear or grief, this space offers compassionate support and practical tools in the company of others on a similar path.

Over four weeks, you’ll learn how to navigate the emotional ups and downs, stay grounded in moments of uncertainty, and strengthen your bond with your pet in ways that transcend words. You’ll gain insight into supporting yourself and your pet so that you can approach this time with more trust in yourself, clarity, and love.

Class sizes are intentionally small, creating a safe and personal space for deeper conversations and connections. If you’re walking this path with your pet, you don't have to do it alone. Instead of feeling consumed by fear, what if you could find a way to be present and deeply connected with your pet throughout this journey?

The Struggles Many People Face…

  • Afraid of making the wrong decision—wondering if you’ll know when it’s time or if you’ll miss the signs your pet is giving you.

  • Overwhelmed by emotions—grief, sadness, and anxiety rising up, making it hard to be present.

  • Worried about your pet’s experience—wanting to ensure they feel safe, loved, and not alone in their final moments.

  • Unsure how to prepare yourself—wondering how to support both your pet and yourself through this transition.

These feelings are entirely natural. You love your pet deeply, and that love is what makes this time so tender. But love can also be a guide—it can become your support, helping you move through this journey with greater awareness, peace, and connection.

This Workshop Offers a Different Way to Walk This Path…

Embracing Deeper Connections is a live-taught, intimate workshop designed to help you build the inner capacity to support your pet and yourself during this difficult time.

This isn’t about removing the pain or avoiding the complex emotions—it’s about learning how to meet them with presence, acceptance and love so you can walk this journey with your pet in a way that feels aligned, connected, and respectful of your special relationship.

In This Workshop, You’ll Learn:

  • How to recognize and process anticipatory grief so it doesn’t hold you back from being present.

  • Ways to manage and be ok with the overwhelm, fear, and uncertainty that naturally arise during this time.

  • Techniques to strengthen your energetic bond with your pet so you both feel the love and support of each other.

  • How to communicate with your pet about their transition, whether verbally, energetically, or through body language.

  • Practical self-care tools that help you navigate the emotional waves without shutting down or disconnecting.

What You Can Expect

This is a four-week, live-taught workshop, offered twice this year in April and October. Each session is interactive and intimate, providing a space for you to ask questions, reflect, and practice what you’re learning.

April Workshop Dates:

  • Main Sessions: April 1, 8, 15, 22 (Tuesdays at 11 AM PT | 2 PM ET | 7 PM UK | 8 PM CET | 5 AM AEST [next day).

  • Duration: 2-hour live classes

  • Interactive Live Lab Sessions: April 5, 10, 19, 24( Alternate Thursdays/Saturdays at 11 AM PT | 2 PM ET | 7 PM UK | 8 PM CET | 5 AM AEST [next day).

  • Duration: 60 to 90-minute live lab sessions for continued practice and support. These sessions are designed to help you integrate the tools and techniques from the main sessions, ask questions, share experiences, and receive additional support.

    *To ensure a deeply personal and supportive experience, a limited number of spots (20 max) are available. Sessions are held via Zoom, and replays are available for those who can’t attend live.

Why does this matter?

Studies show that when we acknowledge anticipatory grief and talk openly about our fears, we gain more clarity, confidence, and strength to walk this journey—and find more moments of love within the challenges. This supports and helps us navigate the grief that follows.

Research highlights, "Recognizing and openly discussing anticipatory grief can aid in the adjustment period following a loss, helping individuals navigate their grief journey with more clarity and strength" (ResearchGate, n.d.).

Source: ResearchGate – Recognition and Support of Anticipatory Mourning

This workshop won’t take away the sadness or uncertainty, but it will do the following:

  • Help you connect to your inner resilience and build your capacity to be more present.

  • Guide you in moving through emotions rather than feeling stuck in them.

  • Support you in finding moments of peace and savouring the time with your pet in an even more profound way.

  • Strengthen your bond on a soul level, cultivate more inner resilience, and move through this time with greater clarity, love, and peace.

Because at the heart of it all, this isn’t only about fear and worry. It’s about love. It’s about honouring your bond and walking this path with as much grace, compassion, and connection as possible.

What Pet Parents Are Saying?

This workshop gave me the strength I didn’t know I had. I went from feeling lost and scared to being able to sit with my dog, feel the depth of our love for each other, and not be scared by it.”

“I finally feel like I can move through my emotions instead of being consumed by them. Thank you for teaching me how to be more present with my cat during this time.”

"I was afraid I wouldn’t know when it was time, but after this workshop, I feel more in tune with my dog and more confident in my ability to be there for him. I’m now able to not fixate on the end."

Who Is This Workshop For?

  • Pet guardians navigating the challenges of aging, illness, new diagnoses, or the end-of-life journey with their animals—seeking guidance, reassurance, and a deeper sense of connection.

  • Those looking to approach this time differently—not just enduring the experience but finding ways to be fully present, grounded, and engaged in the journey with love.

  • Pet parents who want to nurture their bond during difficult times—learning how to stay connected, even through uncertainty and emotional waves.

  • Those who want to understand their anticipatory grief and emotions better—exploring how grief shows up in the body, how to share emotions with their pet in a way that keeps the energetic bond flowing, and how to move through this time with more awareness and ease.

  • People open to learning and integrating new techniques or perspectives—discovering tools that honor both their pet’s experience and their own while supporting the nervous system through stress, grief, and change.

  • Individuals looking to develop ways to stay present and regulate their emotions—so they can make clearer, more aligned decisions for their pet’s well-being and care.

  • Those who desire to find their center, turn fear into purpose, and cultivate an even deeper, loving presence—building the internal capacity to hold both love and loss while walking this path with their pet.

  • Is This Workshop Right for You?

This workshop is for you if…

  • You want to approach your pet’s end-of-life journey with greater connection and presence.

  • You’re looking for guidance on navigating your emotions and grief.

  • You’re seeking a compassionate, non-judgmental space to process and prepare for what’s ahead.

If you’re unsure whether this workshop is for you now, I invite you to schedule a call to discuss your situation.

What This Course Is Not

  • Formal Animal Communication Training. While this workshop draws from the foundational principles of Animal Communication, it is not a structured training course. Instead, it nurtures a shift in perspective, helping you cultivate a deeper soul-level connection with your pet.

  • A Quick Fix or Solution. This is not about rushing through grief or bypassing emotions. Instead, it’s a safe and supportive space for self-reflection, where you can process your experience, gain insight, and grow in a way that honours both you and your pet.

Why This Workshop Is Different

This isn’t just another pet loss or grief support group—it’s a space designed to help you navigate this sacred journey with presence, connection, and love.

  • A Heart-Centered Approach. You’ll explore the foundational principles of Animal Communication, not as a formal technique but as a way to listen more deeply and connect with your pet on a soul level.

  • Understanding Anticipatory Grief. Learn how grief shows up before loss, how it affects your emotions and energy, and how to support yourself through it with more clarity and self-compassion.

  • This workshop is a transformational experience. It isn’t just about preparing for the most challenging moments—it’s about discovering the depth of your relationship, recognizing how your pet has changed you, and embracing the love that continues to grow.

  • Class size is small for a deeply personal and supportive experience. Space is limited to 20 participants.

By the end of this journey, you’ll have more internal strength, a deeper understanding of your pet’s experience, and a greater ability to stay present and connected. This isn’t about letting go—it’s about walking this path side by side together with love and peace.

How to Join

  • Workshop Price: $595 USD ( Canadian Clients, click here) for the complete four-week series (includes all sessions, support materials, workbook, live labs, and replays).

  • Payment Options: Pay in full or choose a two-payment plan.

  • Option 1: Click below to sign up for the workshop. Space is limited to 20 to keep it intimate and supportive.

  • Option 2: If you have questions or want to discuss your unique situation, email me or Schedule a Call:

Your Instructors

Hana Mäkinen is a professional animal communicator and end-of-life grief specialist with over a decade of experience supporting pet parents through their animals’ many life stages. With a background in psychology, natural health, and grief education, I help pet guardians navigate difficult transitions with more presence, clarity, and peace. My mission is to provide compassionate guidance, helping you strengthen your connection with your pet and yourself during this sacred time.

Andrea Montgomery of Montheart Animal Communications brings a deep understanding of intuitive connection as an animal communicator and Reiki practitioner. Transitioning from a career in science to working with animals on an energetic and heart level, Andrea helps others reconnect with their innate bond with animals and nature.

What participants have shared…

"I felt safe, seen, and heard. So nice to not feel alone!"

"Such compassionate delivery of information that I could use with my pet right away."

" This workshop is for anyone, no matter the difficultly of their current situation"

"I didn't think I could lessen my fear, but I did! I now have a sense of peace and am able to be more present with my cat."

" This program will help you understand the grief you feel when you know your pet's end is near and provide you with many tools to manage and grow from this grief. It's well worthwhile!""

"I felt safe, seen, and heard. So nice to not feel alone!" • "Such compassionate delivery of information that I could use with my pet right away." • " This workshop is for anyone, no matter the difficultly of their current situation" • "I didn't think I could lessen my fear, but I did! I now have a sense of peace and am able to be more present with my cat." • " This program will help you understand the grief you feel when you know your pet's end is near and provide you with many tools to manage and grow from this grief. It's well worthwhile!"" •

FAQ

  • Recordings of the class portion will be available to watch later, so you won’t miss the teachings. However, breakout room discussions will not be recorded, so some of the sharing and experiential aspects will only be available in the live sessions.

  • Absolutely. Some participants joined the class even if their pet had passed away. The workshop provides valuable insights and techniques to help you navigate the complex emotions of grief and loss. Many participants have found solace, healing, and an even deeper understanding of their bond with their pets, even after they have passed. This helped them in their grieving journey after their pet’s loss.

  • While you wait for the next workshop, I offer a variety of free resources, including videos, blog posts, and interviews on topics like animal communication, grief, and the pet-human bond. These materials can provide insights and support as you prepare for the workshop.

    Click here for the resources.

  • All of the downloadable support materials are yours to keep. The video content will be available for six months after the course ends.

  • In 2025, Embracing Deeper Connections will be offered in April and October to support pet parents facing illness, aging, diagnoses, and end-of-life journeys with their beloved companions. You can sign up for notifications on my website or subscribe to my newsletter to be among the first to know when new sessions open.

    If your group or organization would like to offer this workshop to its members, please get in touch with us to discuss options.

  • Yes! Any available seats in the April workshop will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to past participants who would like to resit and deepen their experience. If you're interested, please email me directly.

  • Life can be unpredictable, especially when caring for a beloved pet. Because this workshop has limited spots, last-minute cancellations can be difficult to accommodate.

    To balance fairness and flexibility, our cancellation policy is as follows:

    Cancellations for Full Payment Registrations (Early Bird/Regular Price)

    • If you cancel before the specified cancellation deadline:

      • You may receive a 50% refund of your total payment.

      • You may also transfer your spot to another participant (arranged by the date specified in your confirmation email).

    • If you cancel on or after the specified cancellation deadline:

      • No refunds are available.

      • However, you may still transfer your spot to another participant before the specified date.

    Cancellations for Two-Payment Plan Registrations (Early Bird/Regular Price)

    • The initial deposit is non-refundable as it secures your spot.

    • The second payment will be billed on the date specified in your confirmation email.

    • If you cancel before the specified cancellation deadline:

      • You are not responsible for the second payment.

    • If you cancel after the specified cancellation deadline:

      • You are responsible for the remaining balance, as your spot has been reserved.

      • You may still transfer your spot to another participant before the specified date.

    Transferring Your Spot

    If you can no longer attend, you may transfer your registration to someone else before the date listed in your confirmation email. Please contact us directly to arrange this.

  • Heart Scholarships- Limited Spots Available

    We understand that financial challenges can feel overwhelming, especially during difficult times with your pet. To ensure that support is accessible, we offer two partial scholarships per workshop at a reduced rate of $150. These spots are for those experiencing financial hardship who are deeply committed to their personal growth and their bond with their pet during this time.

    To apply, please email us with:

    • A brief description of your current situation.

    • Why is this workshop meaningful to you, and how do you believe it will support you?

    • Your commitment to attending all live sessions.

    • Willingness to schedule a short interview with Hana.

    Applications are open until two weeks before the workshop begins. Recipients will be notified one week before the start date.

    Since only two spots are available, selections are made based on need and commitment rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. Those awarded a scholarship are expected to fully participate in the live sessions and provide feedback at the end.