Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amy LeBlanc. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Amy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When our animals die, they leave a deep void, sometimes we need that tangible weight & warmth on our lap or in our arms to comfort us. We are not always taught how to grieve, a pet is sometimes our first lesson in death. A griefPet is a gift that can be given to someone grieving the loss of their pet or perfect for families with children.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Animals have been a passion of mine since my earliest childhood memories, crawling out the back screen door to go play in the backyard with our 2 Cocker Spaniels. Growing up, I immersed myself in books, stories, and encyclopedias about animals. I loved their tales of overcoming challenges and the lessons of love they conveyed as a plot. I knew all dog breeds, their traits, how to train & best care for them. My family and friends call me the “Animal Whisperer”. I have a deep connection with animals; they always seem to be drawn to me, and we have a way of understanding each other.
Through my 20-year journey with my Esthetics business, I have guided countless clients to discover their inner beauty and worth, fostering perspectives that transcend appearances. Alongside this, the animals that have graced my life have been my profound teachers, saving me from the depths of despair during my darkest moments. Their presence instills in me a mindfulness that anchors me in the present, guiding me to live with grace and an open heart. My personal healing journey has underscored the significance of self-care and a dedicated journaling practice. Embracing their unconditional love, I’ve come to view death not merely as an end but also as a poignant beginning, inspiring a life lived with gratitude and reverence for the past.
After the epiphany for griefPets, I expanded my gifts to heal hearts by becoming certified as a Yoga Instructor, studied the Vedic scriptures, trained as a grief facilitator for children dealing with the death of someone close, became certified in Animal Reiki healing, and as an Animal Hospice Practitioner.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Dealing with a chaotic mind & a lifelong struggle with depression, my resilience comes from my wonderful family foundation. I’ve been a people pleaser, prioritizing others’ needs over my own, often to the point of mental exhaustion & heartbreak. I’ve faced significant challenges, including surviving childhood molestation, a suicide attempt at 19, and experiencing my first panic attack at 23, followed by a major two-hour episode at 42. I’ve endured two divorces, leaving me with nothing to start over, and had to endure the heartbreak of infertility. I’ve mourned the loss of numerous loved ones to suicide and experienced the pain of losing many cherished pets. Despite my hardships, I emerged stronger. I found purpose in my pains, put in the hard work to “grow through what I go through” with gratitude and an open heart.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As I prepared to launch griefPets in late 2017, I found myself unable to continue living as I was, trapped in a loveless marriage & struggling financially as a self-employed esthetician. I felt overwhelmed, drowning, depleted, and wasn’t in a healthy heart space to help others heal. Recognizing the need for solitude, I embarked on my healing journey, with my little dog Fiona, to the jungles of Nayarit, Mexico, where I helped open an animal sanctuary. This opportunity, a dream job, promised to be my own “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure, a chance to reinvent myself. April 24, 2018, I left behind my 24-year life in California, friends, and family, my second marriage, as well as my 20-year skincare practice. Selling all my possessions for this leap of faith, my vision of staying on to be the caretaker of the animals & the property, things didn’t unfold as expected, and for the sake of my mental health, I had to leave after only 8 weeks. Though I experienced magical connections that kept me in the area for another 8 weeks, to explore the nearby pueblos, I eventually had to return back to my Cajun roots in Louisiana, moving in with my parents at 50 and nothing to my name. While I saw blessings in this new chapter, navigating through many challenges, especially amidst a pandemic, proved to be an emotional rollercoaster. I found myself revisiting past moments from my childhood, flashbacks, and feeling judged for the path my life had taken (my dad actually spoke the words that my life disappointed him). 2023 has finally brought closure to my 5-year “gap year” & I feel reconnected to my path & purpose. Today, with my soulmate, we foster and rehabilitate dogs, preparing them for loving forever homes & will be creating a non-profit this year. With renewed energy & realignment, I am now getting to live the life I only once dreamed of.
Contact Info:
- Website: griefpets.com
- Instagram: @griefpets
- Facebook: @griefpets
- Linkedin: Amy LeBlanc