A NEW pet bereavement support service has been launched in Carlisle. 

The service has been launched by Elaine Richmond, a local animal lover who also owns the pet service business Walkies with Elaine which she started in January 2022.

Before starting her pet services business, Elaine had a career that saw her work in funeral care and midwifery where she worked to support the parents following stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

However, after the success of her first business, she left her career behind but now aims to rekindle her love for supporting families with her new specialist pet bereavement service.

Speaking after launching her new support service in October, Elaine discussed her background in more detail and her innate desire to help and comfort people in the most difficult periods.

(Image: Supplied) She said: "After I started Walkies with Elaine I had to give up my career in funeral care which was really difficult and I have missed helping people. 

"I think I have also got a real skill for helping people without letting it affect me too much. 

"When I started Walkies with Elaine I worked with a family who had a very ill dog and I realised that I could help these families at the difficult time when they lose a pet and I find that so rewarding.

"I am doing it completely free of charge and everybody would be entitled to an hour of my time and I just want people to have access to support."

For Elaine, the grief attached to losing a pet is completely valid and her new services offers to help families navigate these difficult times.

(Image: Supplied) She said: "Because it is an animal I think some people think that you should not grieve for your pet and people don't feel they are allowed to get upset about it.

"It's about helping people navigate their own grief and that is where I think I can be really useful to people.

"It's an awful time for anyone and I don't want to tell them how to grieve or what decisions to make but I just want to be there for them."