Monthly Grief Group July 2026
Companions on the Journey is a free monthly pet loss support group hosted by A Loyal Companion and led by Dr. Kellie Barrett, veterinarian and certified grief companion from Kindred Spirits, and Jennifer Titley-Rubio, LCSW. Each 90-minute session offers time to share your pet’s story, learn something about grief that makes it feel less bewildering, and sit with others who already understand why you came.
The group is grounded in the grief touchstones of Dr. Alan Wolfelt, whose work asks not that you get over your loss, but that you move through it — at your own pace, in your own way, with companions beside you. Dr. Barrett brings her years at the end-of-life bedside, 270 hours of Wolfelt training, and a veterinarian’s intimate knowledge of the journey that brought you here. Jennifer brings more than a decade of grief group facilitation, her own animal losses, and a gift for holding a room with steadiness and warmth.
Open enrollment means you are welcome whenever you are ready — whether your loss was last week or last year. No experience with support groups is necessary. Space is limited so that every voice in the room has room to land. Participants are welcome to attend one or all the sessions. (To attend all sessions, you must register for each one individually.)
These sessions are free; however, donations are appreciated to benefit that month’s partner.
July 19: Old Souls Rescue and Retirement Home
Aug 30: A Loyal Companion Foundation
Speakers
Jennifer Titley-Rubio MSW, LCSWCertified Grief CounselorJennifer is a native Tucsonan and grew up amongst many dogs and cats. She has a Masters in Biology from the UofA and a Masters in Social Work from ASU. Jennifer is a Certified Grief Educator and founder of Monsoon Light Grief and Loss Therapy. She has worked in mental health, schools, and hospice, including as a bereavement counselor for Casa de la Luz Hospice. She and her husband have raised many fur babies and two children. Presently she lives with her husband, a beloved dog and a sweet rescue kitty. “I believe that losing one’s beloved animal is a very special kind of loss and a grief which often goes unrecognized in our culture. It is my intention to hold space and bring solace to the bereaved.
- Kellie Barrett, DVMCertified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian
Dr. Kellie Barrett is the compassionate founder of Kindred Spirits Pet Services, a pioneering end-of-life care practice for pets based in Tucson, Arizona. Originally from Nebraska, Dr. Barrett earned her veterinary degree from Iowa State University and has since dedicated her career to providing gentle, respectful care for animals in their final moments. With experience spanning animal shelters, private clinics, and nonprofit outreach, Dr. Barrett brings a deeply empathetic approach to her work.
She is a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian through CAETA and holds multiple certifications in Low Stress Handling, the Human-Animal Bond, and Pet Loss & Grief Support. She also serves on the board of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) and holds a Death and Grief Studies Certificate from the Center for Loss and Life Transitions.
Kindred Spirits was the first in Arizona to offer Aquamation, an eco-friendly alternative to cremation, reflecting Dr. Barrett’s commitment to sustainability and dignity in pet aftercare. She lives in Tucson with her husband, two children, and their beloved rescue dogs, Roo and Quill P Thunder. Her work is more than veterinary care—it’s a heartfelt mission to honor the bond between humans and their animal companions.