Pet Loss Support
Losing a cherished pet is a deeply emotional experience that profoundly affects our well-being. Pets, integral family members, offer companionship and unconditional love, making their absence overwhelming. The pain of their loss, often underestimated, can lead to feelings of isolation and difficulty coping with daily life. Grieving may involve searching for them or experiencing waves of sadness triggered by reminders. Coping requires time, understanding, and permission to grieve. A supportive network and grief support are crucial for healing. Finding closure might involve creating memorials or channeling grief into helping other animals. Ultimately, the trauma of losing a pet is a testament to the immense love and joy they brought into our lives, and with time, their memory can be carried in our hearts.
Pet Loss Support
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement www.aplb.org. This is a unique organization that provides FREE services to anyone bereaving for a beloved pet. Their chat rooms are facilitated by specially trained pet bereavement counselors and they also offer personal E-mail assistance.
www.pet-loss.net provides helpful resources for pre-loss bereavement, helping children cope, quality of life, conquering guilt and much more.
www.RainbowBridge.com provides a space for virtual memorials and a grief support community.
www.griefhealing.com is Marty Tousley's website, providing courses in grief healing as well as articles and book lists for adults and children.
Ontario Pet Loss Support Group: offers compassionate understanding through phone support, meetings, and Facebook www.ontariopetloss.org
Ontario Veterinary College: https://pettrust.uoguelph.ca/petlossresources
PUBLICATIONS (available at amazon.ca):
The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife PhD
Children and Pet Loss by Marty Tousley
A Peaceful Path by M.J. Tucci and Laurie Califf
Goodbye Friend by Gary Kowalksi
Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet by Moira Anderson Allen (available as an E-book for $5US at www.pet-loss.net)
The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss by Russell Friedman, Cole James & John W. James
When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing by Alan D. Wolfelt PhD
COUNSELLING:
You will also find many counselors, therapists, and psychologists online. You can perform a Google search or use a directory for grief counselors in your area. Here is a link to an online directory where you can find many qualified counselors and therapists in your area theravive.com.