Blog: Anticipatory Grief and Pet Loss Seminar Being Held Saturday
By Jim Donovan: Being the "uncle" of a 16-year old dog named Bailey (see photo), this caught my eye and I wanted to be sure to share it with you. (By the way, you can read more about Bailey at the bottom of the page)
Day By Day Pet Caregiver Support will be hosting a FREE Anticipatory Grief and Pet Loss Seminar for pet parents throughout the community this Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Hope Veterinary Specialists located at 40 Three Tun Rd., Malvern, PA.
The seminar, which will begin at 10:00 a.m., will focus on anticipatory grief during pet caregiving for an ill or aged pet, help prepare pet parents to say goodbye to their pet and eventually handle life after their loss. A full range of topics that will be discussed during the seminar include: caring for an ill or aged pet, decision-making/euthanasia, pet caregiver support, planning ahead for a loss, ways to memorialize a pet, the grief journey and how to heal from grief. Each attendee will receive a FREE welcome packet of information to take home with them. A light breakfast and beverages will be served.
"We are thrilled to be able to offer our clients and the community information regarding caring for an ill or aged pet and the eventual loss of a pet," said Amy Shields, Director Public Relations and Marketing, Hope Veterinary Specialists. "Our clients suffer emotionally in silence without being able to fully comprehend their task when caring for a sick pet, how to make the decision for euthanasia and what to do once they've lost their beloved pet."
A first-of-its-kind organization in the Greater Philadelphia area, Day By Day is focused on providing a safe, secure, non-judgmental environment for emotional support as well as educational tools to help pet parents become more informed advocates and caregivers for their beloved pets.
Day By Day Pet Caregiver Support, a 501 c (3) organization, provides no cost services which include professional licensed counseling, monthly support groups, a telephone hotline, weekly telephone check-in service and participation in an internet Yahoo Group. Additionally, a comprehensive website is available where visitors will find educational information such as a list of questions to ask veterinarians regarding pet caregiving as well as a listing of local pet caregiving services and resources.
For more information about Day By Day Pet Caregiver Support and upcoming seminars, please contact Kathryn Jennings at 484-571-8457 or by email at daybydaypetsupport.com.
Now a brief note about Bailey....He joined the family when I was working as a TV reporter in North Carolina. I had been thinking about adopting a rescue dog, so my best friend Greg and I visited the local animal shelter. Before I knew it, Greg locked eyes with Bailey and the rest is history. He's a Lab-Akita mix that acts more like a human than a dog. Now 16 years, 3 months and 5 days after he came into this world he acts as if he intends to out-live us all.
