About Our Last Chapter
Thoughtful guidance and practical support for senior pets and the people who love them.
The Mission of Our Last Chapter
While veterinary medicine continues to advance, the support system for the people managing a pet’s decline has often lagged behind.
Through more than thirty years in animal welfare, Our Last Chapter founder Katie Wagner has personally seen numerous families reach a breaking point — not from a lack of love, but from a lack of structured guidance.
She founded Our Last Chapter to provide the educational resources, logistical frameworks, and emotional outlet that families need to navigate these transitions between and beyond their veterinary appointments. Her goal is to ensure no caregiver has to manage the complexities of a pet’s final chapter alone.
Katie’s Experience
Katie’s expertise is built on a lifelong dedication to animal care, which includes rescue work and specialized training.
She holds a Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula certification from the University of New England and draws on her experience as a former certified veterinary assistant to provide families with a unique combination of practical and emotional support.
Katie has been involved in animal rescue, hospice fostering, and senior pet adoption for more than three decades.
Her commitment to animal welfare also includes a Search and Rescue Certification through the American Humane Association, service during the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina, and active leadership in the rescue community as a volunteer and advisor for complex senior pet placements.
She has also served as an executive board member for multiple nationwide shelter organizations and has years of practical experience bridging the communication gap between medical providers and pet owners to ensure better outcomes for the animal. This history allows her to serve as a sophisticated partner to both families and their veterinary teams.
Personal Background
Katie divides her time between San Diego and Atlanta, where she lives with her six dogs.
She serves clients nationwide via virtual consultations, providing access to expert support regardless of location.
Beyond her work as a Doula, Katie is a seasoned communicator and leader. She spent more than 15 years as a journalist before founding KWSM: a digital marketing agency, where she currently serves as the President and CEO. This background in high-level communication and organizational leadership informs the clarity and structure she brings to every family she supports.