Where We Started
My husband Bryan and I met in Montana in 2003. After meeting, I moved to Oregon, where he grew up, so we could begin building our life together. We married in 2007. Bryan is a skilled house framer by trade, and over the years his love for animals has grown just a strong as mine. Our pets have always been part of our family, traveling with us and joining us in the outdoor adventures we enjoy most.
Some of our favorite moments are the simple ones - spending time outside, exploring, and sharing life with our furry companions.
After many years living in the valleys and mountains of Oregon, we began to feel called to make a change. Eventually we made the decision to move to Missouri, where I grew up, and begin building something we felt deeply passionate about: Fetching Halos. This was not a decision we took lightly. We spent a great deal of time researching and planning before taking the leap.
​Bryan quite literally built our entire Fetching Halos building from the ground up, constructing the building that would become the home of our business. Together, we created a place designed with both pets and their families in mind.
The Start To The Vision
Animals have always been an important part of my life. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to work with them in some way. As a child I even dreamed of becoming a lion trainer- though that particular career path didn’t quite work out.
Over the years I explored several paths, including working at a large K9 boarding and training kennel and studying photography, where I focused on capturing the personalities of pets people loved dearly. But eventually I realized I wanted to work more directly with animals, which led me into veterinary medicine.
It was a privilege to be part of so many joyful moments - welcoming new pets. Watching them grow, and hearing the stories families loved to share about their companions. But with pet ownership also comes one of life’s most difficult realities: saying goodbye.
As a veterinary technician, I was present for many of those final moments. Over time I realized that I didn’t just feel sympathy for the families experiencing the loss of their pets-I truly felt their grief alongside them. I hoped that with more years in the field it might become easier, but after nearly two decades, it never did.
And in many ways, I’m grateful that it didn’t. Because if I can help even one person during that difficult time- by listening to stories about their beloved pet, offering comfort, or simply being present while they begin to process their loss- then the sadness I feel alongside them is worth it. That is where my heart has always been.
Why I Chose Pet Aftercare
And My Mission
Owning a pet aftercare business was never something I had originally imagined for myself. I always knew I wanted to work with animals, but I never expected that part of my life’s work would involve caring for them after they had passed.
Yet when I look back on my years in veterinary medicine, it now feels like a natural extension of the work I had already been doing.
Throughout my career, I saw how deeply intertwined our lives become with the animals we love. They make us laugh when we need it most, bring comfort when we are hurting, and become loyal companions through every stage of life.
The bond we share with our pets is truly unique.
When families said goodbye to their beloved companions, I often found comfort in helping them choose a memorial that captured their pet’s personality. Knowing that something special could help them remember the good times they shared always meant a great deal to me.
That desire to help families honor their pets in meaningful easy became one of the inspirations behind Fetching Halos.
Fetching Halos is not simply a business venture, far from it. It is a continuation of my life’s work with animals and the people who love them so much.
My hope is that through compassion, thoughtful care, and meaningful memories, we can help families begin the healing process after the loss of their cherished companion.
Animals give us so much during their time with us. They bring joy, comfort, laughter, and unconditional love into our lives.
Unfortunately, we only get to borrow them for a while before they must return home. At Fetching Halos it is our privilege to help honor the lives of these extraordinary companions and
support the people who loved them.
Why I chose The Name Fetching Halos
Names have always meant a lot to me. When I began thinking about what to call this business, I knew I wanted something that truly reflected how I see the animals who pass through our lives. The name Fetching Halos came to me quite suddenly, and once it did, it felt exactly right.
When I imagine the pets we have loved and lost, I like to picture them in heaven- happy, healthy, and full of life again. I imagine them running and playing just like they did here, perhaps even fetching or batting around their halos as they bound across a wide open field. That image has always brought me comfort.
The name is meant to reflect that hopeful picture- a reminder that while our time with our pets here is far too short, the joy and love they bring into our lives never really disappears.