Who is Katya?
writer | breathwork facilitator | grief Guide
Maybe you read the words under my name and thought…
And that would be a normal response. It was new to me too hearing that I’m a “Breathwork Facilitator” and “Grief Guide.”
Like, I know how to breathe and grieve… PSHHH you should have seen me at my Abuela’s funeral.
But all kidding aside, you’d be surprised at the impact breathing practices can have on us when we learn simple techniques and tools to best calm ourselves down so we can navigate even the most stressful situations.
Like when you’re working at the animal shelter and a dog that was adopted 6 months ago is returned because the adopters didn’t know “How much work it was going to be.”
Or if you’re a Veterinarian, and those pet parents keep yelling at you that “IF YOU REALLY LOVED PETS YOU’D DO THIS FOR FREE!”
Or if a pet you felt bonded to didn’t make it out and you can’t understand why and nothing makes sense.
There are times when it’s other humans who complicate our lives, and sometimes it’s the animals themselves. But animal care comes with inherently painful experiences. And look, my goal is to help you get through the hard moments and the grief (yes it may be GREIF) that you face when you work with and care for animals. So that you can keep working with and caring for animals, but not at the expense of yourself.
YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN My stories FEATURED IN:
More about my background…
why do i focus on Animal Shelters and Veterinary Practices?
Where do I begin?
I’ve been an animal lover my entire life, but involved in animal shelters as a volunteer, foster mom, and animal advocate since 2007. I’m also a certified, positive-reinforcement based dog trainer. I worked in animal welfare nonprofits for over a decade, at Adopt-a-Pet.com, Last Chance for Animals, and as a consultant.
My family and I have fostered over 70 dogs in our home (that’s 70 times I’ve tried to casually mention that another dog would be coming over, and 70 times I’ve been met with an incredulous stare in response.)
And then there is the dog who changed my life.
Ophelia. She’s the Beagle on the right who you see all over this website. She not only changed my life, she saved it. She made my life possible. She also made me a woo woo dog lady, but oh well, I’ll take it. Anything for her.
I am a certified Family Paws Parent Educator as well. This means I specialize in supporting families with dogs and kids (or a baby on the way). It can also look like me going into schools to teach kids about how to be more dog savvy and dog aware, and to better communicate with pups.
I wrote an acclaimed one-woman show called I’m Sorry about how an apologist became an animal activist, which I performed to sold out audiences across Los Angeles and New York City. I hosted a podcast called “The Animal That Changed You.”
Animal people are my favorite people.
Before that, I graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, got my master’s degree from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. Oh, and here’s a random fact about me: I love feet and paws. (Not in an Only Fans sort of way!) I think toes say a lot about a creature, and they’re always funny.
Me encanta hablar español!
You are MORE than what you do at your job or how much you volunteer. It is possible to process and release feelings, and to stop taking the mean words of strangers or the heartbreak of animals home. Here are THREE ways we can work together so that you feel lighter, not heavier.
01 | Writer and writing teacher
I love story more than anything. Okay, not more than dogs. It’s a tie. I write books, TV shows, and screenplays. I write articles, essays, and lists. (I love making lists.) I teach Storytelling Workshops at production companies and film schools. I can help you enjoy the stories you create as well as the ones you tell yourself.
Writing has been around, well… FOREVER. And there’s a reason for it. It’s one of the best ways to get our messy, unrecognized thoughts and emotions out so we can gain more perspective, acceptance, and hope.
Together, I’ll provide writing exercises and prompts to give you the clarity and relief you’ve been wanting. You are your best story.
02 | breathwork facilitator
I know this term can be confusing and scary to some…
But it’s just a practice in awareness and mindfulness. It’s about learning how to stay with or control your breath during overwhelming moments so your thoughts don’t run the show.
If you want to feel good again while working with animals, this is the thing for you. Sometimes it’s not about talking, but about being fully in your body, present with your breathing.
03 | creative grief support
Let’s be honest, grieving animals doesn’t get the same respect as losing humans does. Working in animal care involves a lot of loss.
What you may not realize is that grief doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all model. There are many reasons to grieve, ways to express feelings, and approaches for working through whatever we’re dealing with.
Through my creative grief support, you’ll feel heard as we process emotions so you can meet your own needs, make new meanings out of loss, and be able to continue helping furry friends.
“My breathwork sessions with Katya help me center myself in this chaotic and stressful world I live in of rescuing dogs and running an organization. It helps me take a moment, even if only briefly, to reset. I can’t wait to book sessions for our fosters and volunteers!”
- Jenny, from Better Together Dog Rescue
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER:
1:1 COACHING
I’m here to hear you. We can utilize wellness tools like breathwork and creative grief exercises during these virtual sessions so you can relax in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
GROUP SUPPORT
Sharing with others helps us feel less lonely. Gatherings centered around writing, breathwork, grief support, or a combination of these things can foster a deeper sense of community.
FREE RESOURCES
Get access to weekly tips and tools designed for animal care pros like you so you can better navigate the stressful moments at an animal shelter, rescue group, or veterinary practice.