One of our adopters/volunteers is with the clergy and he is going to write articles about the stages of grief for our newsletter, as well as offer grief counseling to those who lose their beloved pets.
Original Message:
Sent: 03-11-2026 09:09 AM
From: Abby Vernon
Subject: Community Conversations - 03/09/2026 - Grief is a Community Action
How does your organization honor the human-animal bond throughout the grieving process?
We have a lot of individuals come in to donate after losing their animal or coming to either help with their grief by helping out around our shelter. I think just being a listener and showing support is the biggest thing you can ever do. Many people during this stage do have what was talked about in the video where there is a disconnect between grief and people who see losing an animal as "a lesser than or not as important". However, people come to us as a way to be able to process because we see this bond as the same or even stronger than human bonds sometimes. And sometimes people just need to give love to other animals as a way to help them process their grief.
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Abby Vernon
Animal Caregiver
Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption
IN
Original Message:
Sent: 03-02-2026 04:47 PM
From: Sheila Kouhkan
Subject: Community Conversations - 03/09/2026 - Grief is a Community Action
Updated 3/9/26 at 1:12 pm - Recording now available to watch on-demand!
Enter here for a chance to win the March Community Conversations giveaway after watching live or on-demand.
Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie's Fund.
We hope to see you on the next Maddie's Community Conversation on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11am PT / 2pm ET for a conversation on "Grief is a Community Action."
Led by Alexis Telfair-Garcia & Brittany Szalkiewics of Austin Pets Alive!, this conversation addresses the critical need for communal support to help staff, volunteers, and the wider community navigate the profound sorrow of the loss of a shelter animal. We will explore the framework for a robust community action plan focusing on three core pillars: structured support groups, heartfelt remembrance celebrations, and practicing empathy to foster collective support.
With a focus on community and a compassionate approach to animal loss, together we strengthen the social fabric, ensuring no individual grieves in isolation. We will discuss how to model transforming disenfranchised grief into a recognized and supported community experience. This model elevates the well-being of the APA! community, proving that grief, when shared, can be a powerful force for connection and healing.
This session is especially relevant for adoptions and foster staff & volunteers, return to home & intake prevention staff, veterinary professionals, and behavior staff & volunteers - but all are welcome!
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Don't forget! Maddie's Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter for a chance to win each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the monthly giveaway drawing entry form.
Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom.
🧠Got Topic or Speaker Suggestions?
We want to hear your ideas! If there's a topic you're curious about or a speaker you'd love to hear from, please share your suggestions with us on our Community Conversations Suggestions thread.
Looking forward to being in community with you!
#EducationandTraining
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Sheila Kouhkan
Senior Education Specialist
Maddie's Fund
CA
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