CXpertise Library

After graduating from Fort Hays State University, and a 20 year run of success in sales, her profound love of animals and the death of her beloved dog collided with Coleen’s marketing insight and entrepreneurial spirit to form a defining moment for her in 2004. That’s when she founded the nation’s first stand-alone funeral home for pets, to help people just like her honor the life shared with a special animal. And, as it turned out, there were a lot of people just like her. She quickly became a national advocate and influencer for respectful and dignified pet loss services. Her passion for “all things pets” is felt by her audiences when she presents, as well as by her readership. Her book Pet Parents: A Journey through Unconditional Love and Grief has become a go-to guidebook for pet parents and animal care professionals. She is also an in-demand blogger and spokesperson worldwide, sharing her thoughts and insights with veterinary professionals to help both them and their clients navigate the difficult realities of pet loss. Her latest books, Forever Friends, co-authored with Dr. Mary Gardner have been #1 on Amazon and quickly rose to the ranks of the book for children and pet loss. The dog version was released early in 2022, with the cat version was made available in July 2022. Coleen’s journey as an entrepreneur and business leader has just taken a new path; one focused on energizing and inspiring others with what, upon reflection, has always been her life’s guiding center-beam: what animals teach us about business and human interaction. She’s turned these insights, examples, and observations into easy to remember life and business tips that pretty much everyone can relate to. She calls it “AQ”, or Animal Quotient, and they sculpt a cornerstone for some interesting conversations, meaningful lessons and common-sense direction. Coleen resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, and 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 where she interestingly shapes newly-required pet deathcare curriculum for human funeral directors in training. She is also on the Board of Trustees for her alma mater, Fort Hays State University, and is their 2018 Alumni Achievement Award recipient. She shares her home with her husband, Chris Burke, and their two four-legged children: Albert and Beulah.