Pet Loss Support
A few years ago, when our sixteen-year-old golden died, our vet send us a copy of “THE RAINBOW BRIDGE.” It brought comfort to me. I carried it around in my bag for months making copies and sharing it with other folks that had lost their pets.
Grief is the normal response to any important loss in life. Grieving people experience both physical and emotional traumas as they try to adapt to the upheaval in their lives brought about by the loss.
Psychologists have long recognized that the grief suffered by pet owners after their pet dies is the same as that experienced after the death of a person.
There are many resources out there for you to share with your clients:
I have included three different resources. Some folks might feel uncomfortable going to a group or talking face to face with people. This gives people the option to choose.
On the Internet:
www.petloss.com
A compassionate web-site for pet lovers who are grieving over the death of a pet or an ill pet. Here you will find personal support, thoughtful advice, The Monday Pet Loss Candle Ceremony, Tribute Pages, healing poetry like Rainbow Bridge, a safe, monitored Message Board, Chat room, and petloss support groups And A lovely Flash of the Rainbow BridgeSend an E-Petloss sympathy Card
Our very own University of Florida has a free hotline (Go Gators!) University of Florida Pet Loss Support Hotline, Gainesville, (352) 392-4700, ext. 4080.
Calls will be returned 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST.
Website – http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/alt_med/petgrief/petloss.htm
This hotline will call back anyone, anywhere, at no cost to the caller.
For information on Goldens that need homes in the South Florida area please visit www.tropicaldawg.org and click on adoptable dogs. On the links page we have added a link for all Florida rescues.
