Grief Counseling

Pet Loss Group cancelled effective 8/4/09

Dear Friends,

It is with much disappointment that we inform the community that we will be discontinuing the pet loss support groups on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of each month, for now. Attendance has dwindled to the point where, at times, no one shows up in spite of having a licensed therapist on location to facilitate. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue the group(s) until we can find a more central location and evaluate alternative times and dates. We do know that the need continues and want to determine the best way to meet the need.

In the meantime, if any client needs individual pet loss counseling, they may contact Eva Van Prooyen, MFT at (805) 845-4960 www.evavp.com or David Baldwin, PhD at (805) 695-8300 www.drdavidbaldwin.com . Individual counseling is not free, rather it is fee-for-service. However, each of the clinicians will do their best to make sure that those grieving the loss of a pet can obtain much needed support.

There are also pet loss hotlines available – an extensive list is on the Shiva’s Center website at www.shivascenter.org. University of California at Davis staffs their pet loss support hotline, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (PST). Their phone number is 530-752-4200 / (800) 565-1526 or you can access pet loss information through www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/index.htm. For additional pet loss support resources, go to www.shivascenter.org/pet_loss_resources.html.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via email at info@shivascenter.org. Alternately, if you know of a central (downtown Santa Barbara) location, please let us know that as well.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Trish Lane
Founder, Board Member
Shiva’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond

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Pet Loss Web Resources

www.petloss.com
www.aplb.org
www.in-memory-of-pets.com
www.lightning-strike.com
www.methuen-mspca.org/petcare/htm/petloss.htm
Veterinary students at the University of California at Davis staff the pet loss support hotline, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (PST). The phone number is 530-752-4200 or you can access pet loss information through www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/index.htm.
You may also want to check with your local library or bookstore for available literature. A few recommended titles are
- The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Judith Viorst, 1975
- Pet Love, Betty White, William Morrow and Company, 1983
- When Your Pet Dies: How to Cope with Your Feelings, Quackenbush and Graveline, Simon and Schuster, 1985.
- Angel by My Side: The True Story of a Dog Who Saved a Man and a Man Who Saved a Dog, Mike Lingenfelter and David Frei.
- Geadon’s Gift: Surviving the Loss of Your Pet: Coloring Book, Cheryl A. Underhill and Kathy Ferdon.
- Pet Loss and Human Emotion: Guiding Clients Through Grief. Falconguide Ser., Cheri B. Ross and Jane B. Sorensen.
- Grieving the Death of a Pet, Betty J. Carmack, RN, EdD.
- Saying Good-Bye to the Pet You Love, A Complete Resource to Help You, Dr. Lori Green and Jacqueline Landis.

For more info about our Licensed Clinical Psychologist, please see Dr. Trish Lane