YOU'VE
LANDED
IN THE RIGHT PLACE
Families from all over Greater Ann Arbor have been right where you are right now: wanting to connect with a reassuringly professional, & highly-skilled caregiver for their pet who has some special needs. (Or they're just special, like all companion animals are.)
Whether you've a dog or cat with no special needs at all, or one who has a behavioral assessment requiring a thoughtful & experienced approach, or a chronic condition, or they're aging, & even moving their final stretch of life due to age-related decline or a terminal diagnosis at any age, you'll be in the best of hands. With what's been called the magical balance of skills & experience that comes from being a Fear Free Certified Professional, Certified Hospice Palliative Care Advocate & Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner, we bring what's needed to the table to allow pet guardians to spend time any length of time away from home, or to feel meaningfully supported through a pet's final months of life.
SERVICES
& RESOURCES
Due to the focus of our practice, we are unable provide pet sitting, drop in visits, dog walking & boarding.
OVERNIGHT STAYS
Pets of any age & health status -- including those who have chronic or progressive diagnoses, seniors & geriatrics or those who are on hospice -- fare better with extra companionship, time & attention.
HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE SUPPORT
Every family & pet deserves to have the very best in support & guidance every step of the way, above what their vet teams can do. We provide that at an exceptional level, & in a myriad of ways, to families near & far. Explore those by clicking the links below.
VIRTUAL LEARNING HUB
Empowerment to move through all phases of an aging pet's decline or any stage of terminal diagnosis, regardless of age or species.
PET LOSS SUPPORT
Having a safe space held when grieving the impending, fresh or past death of a pet makes a difference.
RESOURCES
Learn about new ways of meeting your pets changing needs, find the best product recommendations & access the best tools to improve the caregiving experience.
RESPITE CARE
Pets with separation anxiety & other behavioral assessments, or those who are on hospice benefit from extra company for extended periods during the day.
BLOG
Delve into 12 + years of pet-related posts on Animals Unfolded
HOME VET CARE
& AFTERCARE
Connect with housecall veterinary teams & aftercare professionals in greater Ann Arbor.
SENIOR & GERIATRIC SUPPORT
Meeting your pet's changing needs as they age is not something you should have to navigate alone.
ABOUT
THE PRACTICE
WHO WE ARE
Telos Companion Animal Services, LLC was founded by Lorrie Shaw, CAHP, CHPA in 2005 to meet the needs of the changing landscape of pet care & support. And that mindset has done that & more with where we are in 2026.
The word telos is ancient Greek for 'purpose' or 'end'—the ultimate end toward which something strives, it's fundamental nature, "beingness," of an animal, such as the 'dogness' of a dog or 'catness' of a cat. It is the idea that every life, however long or brief, is moving toward its fullest expression.
We chose that name deliberately.
At Telos Companion Animal Services, we believe that every animal deserves to live — and to be cared for — with purpose, dignity, and deep compassion. Not just in their healthiest years, but in their hardest ones too. When we looked at the landscape of pet care, we saw a gap that was hard to ignore. Families facing a beloved animal's illness or final chapter were navigating some of the most emotionally complex moments of their lives—often without adequate support, guidance, or someone trained to truly walk alongside them. The love was there. The resources weren't.
That's why Telos exists.
WHAT WE DO
We offer a full range of companion animal care services—from overnight stays for pets of any age, respite care visits for pets with special needs, to concierge animal hospice and palliative care support. As a Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner and Certified Fear Free Professional, our practice is built on a foundation of clinical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to the well being of every animal & family in our care. Whether your pet is thriving or transitioning, we show up the same way: present, prepared, and genuinely invested in their quality of life.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all care. Every animal is an individual. Every family is unique. And every moment—whether it's routine care or a final goodbye—deserves to be treated with intention. Fear Free care means your pet's emotional experience is prioritized alongside their physical one. Hospice care means we hold space for hard conversations, provide honest guidance, and help families find peace in the time they have left together.
We do this work because it matters. Because your companion matters.
FOR THE FAMILIES WE SERVE
You don't have to have all the answers. You just have to reach out. Whether you're planning ahead, navigating a diagnosis, or simply looking for someone who will love your animal the way they deserve—we're here. We'll meet you where you are, walk with you through what comes next, and help you give your companion the life—and the ending—they deserve. Because every animal's journey has a telos. We're honored to be part of it.
Compassionate care for every chapter. Supporting the human-animal bond.
OUR CARE,
YOUR HOME
WHERE WE SERVE
Greater Ann Arbor: including Dexter, Chelsea, Pinckney, Ypsilanti, Canton, Northville, Plymouth Whitmore Lake, Howell, Brighton, South Lyon & surrounding areas
WHEN WE SERVE
365 days a year, based on availability