Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-11-2021 12:06 PM
    We all know that losing animals in our organizations can cause suffering. What bereavement or loss support do you have available to your staff and volunteers? 

    Thank you so much for sharing! 

    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
    #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
    #EducationandTraining
    #OrganizationalManagement
    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

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    Rory Adams
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  • 2.  RE: Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-11-2021 01:13 PM
    My experience with support services is more via owned pets but it might be worth checking out some of their stuff?

    here's a few links:
    Pet Loss Grief Support Hot Lines, Helplines and Groups
    Rainbow Bridge Petloss Grief Suport Community when your pet has died remove preview
    Pet Loss Grief Support Hot Lines, Helplines and Groups
    Pet Loss Grief Support Hotlines, Helplines and Groups (Note: Support for pet loss, grief, and bereavement is very different from, and not to be confused with, professional counseling and therapy [psychotherapy.] Be aware that people who provide the valuable service of pet loss support vary greatly in their training, education, experience, and expertise.).
    View this on Rainbow Bridge Petloss Grief Suport Community when your pet has died >
     
     this one is about grief re loss of people, but i'm guessing there are some really good ideas: Actively Moving Forward®, a young adult and college grief support network
    HealGrief remove preview
    Actively Moving Forward®, a young adult and college grief support network
    Actively Moving Forward® is a grief support network of young adults, for young adults and college students ages 18-30 years old.
    View this on HealGrief >

    They also have a pet site

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    Sheila Segurson, DVM
    Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
    Maddie's Fund
    9258608284
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-11-2021 07:20 PM
    Hi Rory - At our org any support resource we have is available for anyone in our community (staff, volunteers, or other people). For example, we recently started a pet loss support group and staff and volunteers have attended. We also have a trained counselor available to pet guardians who are providing hospice care for their pets. Staff and volunteers are encouraged to take time and adjust their schedules as needed  when they are dealing with this loss. We also memorialize pets in special ways based on the person's preferences. Just throwing things out off the top of my head - hope it's helpful.

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    Sophie Cheston
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-12-2021 10:11 AM
    Hi everyone,

    When I worked at the SF SPCA, we had a great pet loss support group that was available free to the public that wasn't specific to staff and volunteers, but I'm sure that the staff and volunteers could attend if they wanted to:
    ​
    https://www.sfspca.org/resource/pet-loss-support/

    The groups have switched to Zoom calls currently.

    If there is anyone who is currently working at the San Francisco wants to chime in, please do!

    Thanks!
    Amber

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    Amber Eby
    Maddie's Fund
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-12-2021 11:54 AM
    I used to run a program like this in Virginia and it was sooooo meaningful for people - always a ton of people came. I wonder if something like this could ever be virtual and still be effective?

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    Kristen Hassen
    American Pets Alive!
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-13-2021 10:52 AM
    San Diego Humane Society is offering Pet Loss Support Groups virtually.  It is nice to be in person, but the virtual aspect has allowed people unable to make it to the facility able to attend. For some the option of just being with others, even with a dark screen, has been helpful.

    Staff and volunteers are able to attend, but it is almost entirely community members. 

    https://www.sdhumane.org/services/pet-loss-support/ 

    Stacey Zeitlin
    VP of Community Impact
    San Diego Humane Society

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    stacey zeitlin
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-14-2021 04:54 PM
    I refer everyone to the Association of Pet Loss Bereavement https://www.aplb.org/ The site has areas with poems, resource suggestions and ability to create memorials to pets. More importantly, there is both an online and a virtual support group- both of which are free.

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    Michelle Tinkham PhD, CHES, PLGS
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Bereavement Support?

    Posted 08-15-2021 08:44 AM
    Thanks so much for sharing this. This is a great site with lots of info that I can share with our volunteers and even our adopters.

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    Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan
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    Original Message


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