After graduating in Logopaedics from UCT (1983), Rafalea emigrated to the UK where she entered the National Health Service as a Speech and Language therapist, thereafter rising to become Associate Director of Therapies for East London, (UK). With 30 years in the NHS, her expertise includes managing therapies across a range of services and providing therapeutic and counselling support to people with disability across all ages.

With the passing of her daughter in 2013 after a lifelong illness, she left the NHS and returned to South Africa, seeking a new direction focusing on working with animals and bereavement. She attended Anna Breytenbach’s Animal Inter-Species communication workshop, and the Inter Species communication with Wynter Worsthorne at the Global White Lion Protection Trust. She is also active in African Tails, an NPO dedicated to caring for neglected dogs and cats.

In early 2017 Rafaela underwent the Palliative Care and Bereavement Care Support training at St. Luke’s Hospice. Since then, she has been volunteering within the Spiritual Care and Bereavement Counseling departments.

In September 2018 Rafaela trained with Professor Dr Joanne Cacciatore’s MISS Foundation, Centre for Loss and Trauma in Arizona, USA, (affiliated with the Elizabeth Kubler Ross Trust) and became a Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider. In May 2020 she completed the Soul Carers training under Dr. Mary Ryan and as an active member of the Soul Carer’s Network she companions end-of-life patients from St. Luke’s and private referrals, drawing on her extensive professional and personal experiences of over 40 years.

Rafaela offers a compassionate, holistic and spiritual approach to these patients and their families (and pets) as they prepare for their final journey.

Cell: 071 476 1579

email: rafaelapeerutin@gmail.com