About Us.
Pet Angel Wings Service has combined the services of one of New Zealand’s top veterinary surgeons and an experienced and qualified Funeral Director/Embalmer who have been providing empathetic support to New Zealanders experiencing loss for over 25 years. From pets to people, people to pets, we have developed a deep understanding of how Kiwis want to celebrate and remember a life after death.
Meet the Team.
Joanne M Piper.
Jo was one of an early group of New Zealand women to obtain a qualification in Embalming in 1986, followed by a qualification in Funeral Directing in 2015.
Jo has extensive international experience in the field along with local involvement in the funeral service profession.
As a past treasurer and executive member of the New Zealand Embalmers Association, Jo’s considerable experience in dealing directly with death, grief and bereavement brings immense value to PAWS.
Jo is a deeply caring and kind person, always armed with a comforting smile and a compassionate hand.
In joining PAWS, Jo has become New Zealand’s first Qualified Hospice Care & Pet Afterlife Funeral Director and co-owner of New Zealand’s first environmentally friendly Water Cremation Service.
Outside of PAWS, Jo enjoys growing Bonsai and attends the monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Bonsai Club.
Dr Heidi Ward-McGrath.
Dr Heidi is the Founder and Veterinary Director of the Wairarapa-based Veterinary practice Vetcare that she established over 22 years ago.
A nationally awarded veterinary business, Dr Heidi has been offering palliative care, pet euthanasia and cremation services since she started in 1999. A personal and deeply caring service has grown in demand since inception.
Dr Heidi has linked up with professional pet funeral director Jo to bring an eco-friendly pet cremation technology to the pet cremation industry in NZ.
Heidi's areas of interest include small animal surgery, orthopaedics, palliative care, research, dermatology, and nutrition. Her particular passion for innovative regenerative medicine and holistic veterinary care has seen her develop and launch an extensive range of natural and eco-friendly pet care and innovative pet dietary products.
Heidi is also a guest lecturer at Massey for the holistic vets group, a former member of the Department Of Conservation's Animal Ethics Committee and the Veterinarian for 5 different animal charities.
A former winner of the New Zealand Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2003), Heidi is an accomplished public speaker on leadership, innovation, business, resilience, health and motivation.
She has also been the recipient of a Kiwibank Local Hero Medallist for Animal Welfare in 2017 and is a director of the Masterton South branch of Rotary International.
Dr Heidi is a leading veterinary innovator in the veterinary industry, bringing uniquely New Zealand eco-friendly options for pet parents.
Pet Angel Wings Service is proudly the first pet funeral, eco pet cremation, holistic, pet hospice care and afterlife pet care business in New Zealand.
Heidi and Jo have combined their skills to create Pet Angel Wings Service, the first holistic end of life and afterlife pet care business in New Zealand. Pet Angel Wings offers pet funerals, eco pet cremation, hospice care, memorial products and more.
Proud members of CANA
CANA Has 3,300 + 1 (US) members worldwide, provides networking, support and resources, to those dedicated to serving their community with respect and professionalism while maximising the opportunities of cremation.