ST. CLOUD — Laura Ellavsky knows how it feels to lose a pet.
Her pug-Boston Terrier mix, Mozzie, died in March 2024. Mozzie had been around for a third of her life, making at least four moves — including one across state lines with her.
“Really significant formative years of life. That relationship was really important to me. He was the best dog, he loved my kids, everywhere they were, he followed,” Ellavsky said. “… He was just a really good boy.”
When Mozzie died, Ellavsky turned her grief into helping others as a companion animal doula, earning a certification and launching a business. Ellavsky walks people through the grief process, she said.
Now, she wants to further her reach by creating The St. Cloud Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden at the Talahi Woods space in Riverside Regional Park.
Laura Ellavsky is lobbying to create a Rainbow Bridge, a pet memorial garden at Talahi Woods in Riverside Regional Park, at 1725 Kilian Boulevard, St. Cloud.
Contributed / Laura Ellavsky
She said it’s modeled after the poem
“The Rainbow Bridge,” penned by Edna Clyne-Rekhy
more than 60 years ago. That poem has inspired many, including the
Lake Lure Rainbow Bridge
in North Carolina.
Before it was washed away during Hurricane Helene in 2024, the bridge served as a memorial for pet owners, who hung their dead dogs’ collars and other items memorializing their furry companions.
“The focal point, for sure, is the rainbow bridge that honors pet loss and symbolizes pets that have passed away,” Ellavsky said. “On that bridge, we welcome people to hang their dog collars and memorials, either the dog’s collar or something that represents their dog.”
Her vision includes a garden as a space for reflection, peace and connecting with others experiencing pet loss.
“We want people who are grieving to be able to connect with others and get out and continue to connect with their community,” Ellavsky said. “We want people to feel like they can come to the garden space and they can garden, they can get their hands in the dirt, they can talk to others, if they choose.”
She also envisions the space hosting seasonal events such as pumpkin carving, Easter egg hunts and more. She has also heard community feedback for those wanting a dog park near the site.
The idea is very much in its infant stages. Ellavsky pitched the idea to the St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Board at an early April meeting.
“They didn’t say yes, they didn’t say no,” she said.
Instead, the board said the project was in the “idea stage,” Ellavsky said.
She estimates that the project would cost about $100,000 and require a volunteer base, people willing to champion the cause, a board of directors, making connections, and more.
“Really, the biggest one is going to be that fundraising piece,” Ellavsky said. “The site that we really want is that Talahi Woods site in Riverside. That feels like a really good spot for the garden that we would like to make.
“If we’re using city land, we have to be able to show the city that we can sustain this project and we can build it without it turning into their responsibility,” Ellavsky added. “It’s important that we have fundraising to do that.”
Riverside Regional Park is at 1725 Kilian Blvd. in St. Cloud.
To donate to the project or learn more, visit
facebook.com/thestcloudrainbowbridgememorialgarden
or email
thestcloudrbmg@gmail.com.
Trent Abrego is a business reporter for St. Cloud LIVE and can be reached at trent@stcloudlive.com.
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