09/23/2015
PET LOSS PATHWAYS
WHO WE ARE:
Pet Loss Pathways was started by a local grief counselor, Kathy Sherry, who has had a life long passion for the welfare of animals and pets. Growing up, she spent countless hours playing and bonding with a dozen dog "cousins", and other animals on the farm run by her dog-breeder aunt. Kathy has been a pet parent/pet owner to three dogs, Cleopatra, Holly and Magic, and a cat, Longfellow, as well as caring for an assortment of other pets over the years. As a youngster, Kathy would care for neighborhood dogs, and as an adult she sometimes help friend in her pet-sitting business. In 2011, Kathy volunteered at the Center for Grieving Children working with immigrant children from war-torn countries, and was struck by how children grieved the animals they had to leave back in their country of origin.
Soon after her beloved Scottish Terrier, Magic Dog, died in her presence in Fall of 2013, Kathy was interning at Hospice of Southern Maine as a Bereavement/Grief Counselor. For over a year, she spoke with hundreds of grieving individuals and families, and was struck by how many were also grieving the loss of a pet. Many were inspired by how loyal, loving and attentive their pet had been to their human companion/owner during their illness. Others were struck by how grief-stricken their pet was after their beloved human died. And the majority of bereaved pet owners were surprised by how difficult the pet loss was for them. This experience with bereaved pet owners prompted Kathy to seek training with the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB). She is now a certified pet loss bereavement counselor, as well as being a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC-C) in Maine. Kathy collaborates with a local Pet Loss Chaplain, who will be involved in Pet loss support groups.
BENEFITS OF PET LOSS SUPPORT:
According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association (www.AVMA.org) “research has shown that the human grieving process following a pet's death is similar to that experienced by people who have lost a family member or close friend. Telephone helplines and support groups have been used for some time to address grief associated with the end of human-human interrelationships, but have only recently emerged as a means of assisting pet owners in dealing with the death of their companion animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recognizes the benefits of pet loss support helplines and groups for pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students and faculty at colleges of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology, and lay employees of veterinary practices, and encourages their responsible establishment.”
Often, people feel embarrassed to express their deep feelings of loss after losing a pet. There is not as much support for loss of a pet as there is for the loss of a human loved one, and yet the depth of the sadness can be just as intense. It can be very healing for people to express their feelings verbally, either in a group or one to one. And there are many creative and special ways to memorialize a beloved animal.
SERVICES OFFERED:
* Pet Loss / Bereavement Groups: Grief support group for Pet owners / pet families who are dealing with death of a pet or loss by other means. Groups are opened to those who have had a pet runaway, or get lost, or had to be given away, etc. The groups are opened to those experiencing anticipatory grief for a pet with a terminal illness as well.
* Individual Grief support: Not everyone feels comfortable in a group setting. For those who would like 1:1 support, we can meet individually in an office setting, for a walk and talk session, or in the home by appointment.
* Counseling/Emotional Support for End of Life Decisions: Individual support for those dealing with end of life decisions and experiencing anticipatory grief. Spiritual support available - Kathy is sensitive to cultural/religious/spiritual traditions.
* Walk & Talk therapy available. Can walk with pet owner and pet to talk and provide emotional support or therapy.
* Veterinary Staff Support: Individual support to veterinary staff who are dealing with grief and loss, stress, anxiety or trauma related to witnessing suffering of the animals in their care.
* Support when pets/animals are ill. Providing home visit for emotional support to owners when pets are ill. Providing animal Reiki sessions
* Support for Pets who are Grieving: Animal Reiki Healing sessions available. Emotional and behavioral support to pet owners
INFORMATION / REFERRALS:
* Information / Referral to area services: Can give information to mobile pet hospice, local veterinary hospitals, local veterinarians, pet cemeteries / cremation, animal chaplains, creating pet memorials, and online grief support.
Please feel free to email or call. I look forward to speaking with you, and hearing your story. PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK; we could use the likes! Please call, email and check the website for updates on group meetings, or to make an appointment.
EMAIL: [email protected]
[email protected]
WEBSITE: www.PetLossPathways.com
PHONE: (207) 899-6948
Best wishes,
Kathy Sherry
Pet service
