Coleen Ellis’ rockin’ world started in small town rural Kansas. Her entire career has been in the death care industry, starting after she graduated in human death care services from Fort Hays State University, Kansas. The death of her dog, Mico, was a defining moment for her to transfer her knowledge of human loss to starting the nation’s first standalone pet funeral home.
As an advocate and influencer for respectful and dignified pet loss services, her passion for all things pets can be felt both by her audiences and her readers. Her book Pet Parents: A Journey Through Unconditional Love and Grief serves as a sought-after guidebook for pet parents and animal care professionals. She is also a requested blogger and spokesperson worldwide, whereby she shares her ideas from an entrepreneurial business perspective, as well as the pet thanatology aspect of loving an animal.
In Ellis’ journey as a business leader and entrepreneur, the lessons she has learned from animals are the common theme, and she has made these the cornerstones of her presentations. Her life and business tips, coined AQ (animal quotient), will serve as the AHAs for any organization looking for simple yet powerful examples of how to change and drive behavior.
Ellis resides in Southlake, Texas, is a founder and past co-chair of the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance and the current executive director and past president of the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science as well as her alma mater, Fort Hays State University, and is the 2018 Alumni Achievement Award recipient.
Sessions
Rebranding and Resetting to be Future Ready
Pet Lovers & Pet Loss