Ontario Veterinary College Hotline Offers Support for grieving
owners
LISTENING IS THE BEST MEDICINE
- Hotline Offers Support for Grieving Owners
Pet Owners grieving the loss of their companion animals, can now turn to
the OVC (Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph) Pet Loss
Support Hotline for help. The hotline began taking calls on
September 18, 2001. It provides a service for pet owners grieving
the death of a pet, support for veterinarians, and an educational
opportunity for veterinary students. Trained student volunteers
run the hotline, which operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays,
from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Calls are picked up daily and those of
an urgent nature are returned on the same day. The students are
guided by an advisory board made up of Ontario Veterinary College
faculty, staff, and graduate students, including Dr. Cindy Adams, from
the Department of Population Medicine, who specializes in issues related
to pet loss, and has a graduate degree in social work.
The OVC Pet Loss Support Hotline Phone Number is 519-824-4120;
Ext 3694.
The Ontario Veterinary College's Pet Loss Support Hotline offers pet owners and veterinarians a valuable resource in times of
need.
Veterinarians face the death of their patients on a daily basis. During
the course of a normal morning, veterinarians and their staff, can go
from a heart-breaking euthanasia appointment, to an excitement filled
new puppy visit, and have to leave their feelings behind, to deal with
later.
During euthanasia and the death of a pet, special consideration needs to
be given to the emotional well-being of the client. There are
some situations when a client may require on-going support and guidance,
to aid them through their grief. The Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
Pet Loss Support Hotline, is a resource the veterinarians can use to
help provide the best care possible.
The motto of the OVC Pet Loss Support Hotline is, "Listening is the
Best Medicine," I truly believe in this statement. I
have listened to tragic stories from people who have recently lost a
pet. I have heard the pain in their voices, and the confusion that
comes from losing a pet too suddenly. I have heard the guilt that
people feel when they choose to euthanize their pet, even though it may
be the kindest thing they could have done. I have heard the
muffled sounds of someone crying on the other end of the line. And
although it is hard to not say something, in an attempt to
"fix" things, I am silent, because I know that just listening
to their story, is the best comfort I can offer.
Far too often, society does not take the time to listen to someone who
is grieving the death of a pet. Popular clichés such as "it
was only a dog", or "don't worry, you can get another",
don't help. That dog may have been the only link between an
elderly woman and her deceased husband, or the only friend of an awkward
child. Even if wonderful family and friends surround a person, it
is absolutely normal to feel sad when a pet dies. It is common
today, to buy our pet a present on their birthday or to sign our pet's
name, along with our own, on a greeting card. Many people describe
their pets as an extension of themselves. It is only natural to
feel a great deal of pain when this pet leaves us. An anonymous
author once wrote, "Our animals shepherd us through certain eras of
our lives. When we are ready to turn the corner and make it on our
own . . . they let us go." As a volunteer for the OVC Pet
Loss Support Hotline, my responsibility is to be there for people who
may not be ready to go forth without the companionship of their pet.
The OVC Pet Loss Support Hotline was developed by veterinary students
from the OVC, in conjunction with Dr. Cindy Adams who had graduate
degrees in social epidemiology in Social Work and specializes in matters
of pet loss. Each volunteer has their own personal reasons for
joining the Hotline, but we all share one thing in common: a love
of animals and a compassion for the people who were privileged to share
their lives with these animals. As Donna Eino, a fellow Hotline
volunteer relates, "being part of the Hotline give me the special
opportunity to share in the incredible relationships people have with
their pets. It reminds me of why I was drawn to veterinary
medicine in the first place."
The first Hotline of its kind in Canada, the OVC Pet Loss Support
Hotline, commenced operation in September 2001 and is open to any caller
who is having difficulty dealing with the death or disappearance of an
animal. We are also available as a resource to veterinarians for
information on pet loss and grief management. Pet owners who wish
to use the Hotline, can reach a trained student volunteer directly on
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, between the hours of 6:00
p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Outside of these hours, they may leave a
message on our voice mail, which is checked by a volunteer, every 24
hours. Urgent calls will be returned immediately and all calls are
handled in a confidential manner.
Thanks to Alison Long,
BSc., who is the Senior Student Coordinator for the OVC Pet Loss Support
Hotline.




http://www.petlosssupport.ca/
The Canadian Centre for Pet Loss
Bereavement (CCPLB)
Honouring the kinship between pets and their humans . . .
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains
unawakened." (Anatole France)
Phone Support for bereaved pet owners:
TOLL FREE to Angie Rupra, R.S.W, through our Referral Partners:
Pet Vet Hospitals: 1-866-226-8079 Ext. 55
Training Programs for animal lovers and veterinary clinics in
British Columbia: Tel. 1-778-319-7387
By Email:
General inquiries: info@petlosssupport.ca
Angie Rupra: angie.rupra@petvethospitals.ca
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| Iris
‘n Roo is a company that has been created for people who
love dogs and for dogs who love people.
At Iris ‘n Roo we realize
that life’s a journey. It’s a pathway filled with joy
and happiness, pain and sorrow. We want to talk about
how our dogs are a vital part of our lives and how they
help us navigate our way down these paths. At Iris ‘n
Roo we exchange stories and pictures of our dogs,
because our dogs inspire us through the best and worst
of times. They make us laugh and they give us courage
and strength. We love our dogs and they love us back.
Iris ‘n’ Roo is about
love, hope and sharing, so we are committed to donating
a portion of the proceeds from every item sold to: NSD –
National Service Dogs, who assist children with autism;
and BFO – Bereaved Families of Ontario, who assist
people grieving the loss of a loved one. Thank you for
being a part of Iris ‘n’ Roo.
http://www.irisnroo.com
November
2008's feature article is about 'The
Smiling Blue Skies ®' Cancer Fund. 'Blues' was
an extremely special Golden Retriever. He was an
amazing healer who spread sunshine to all those
he touched. And his mom, Suzi, is one of the
most remarkable women I've ever spoken with.
Through sheer determination, a wealth of
knowledge and a deep-seated passion, Suzi has
turned her personal challenges into a magical
gift. Suzi has created a wonderful website, and
through this site and other events, raises money
for the Smiling Blue Skies ®' Cancer Fund.
Suzi's love for, and knowledge of dogs is
endless. Please visit her amazing site and see
for yourself!
Last but not least, we've featured a piece
entitled, 'A Dog's Purpose' (from a 6-year-old's
perspective). You may have read it already. If
you haven't, you won't want to miss it. This
beautiful piece clearly demonstrates that our
dogs, plus our young and innocent children, have
the wisdom and the vision we often strive to
achieve.
The Smiling Blue
Skies ® Cancer Fund
The
only thing more remarkable than meeting an
amazing dog or a magnificent human being, is
when the two are joined together. They touch
our hearts, they reveal their incredible
strength, and together they make the world a
better place. This is the story of 'Smiling Blue
Skies', or 'Blues' as he was affectionately
called, and his mom, Suzi.
Each time I read their story I'm flooded with
tears. But they're tears of hope, kindness,
perseverance and an abundance of love. Blues was
a beautiful Golden Retriever. On top of his
numerous credentials, including being a Canadian
Champion and a Canine Good Citizen, he was
definitely a healer. His remarkable intelligence
and gentle spirit touched many. He 'weaved his
magic with people young and old, sick and well'.
As this beautiful story goes, not only has Blues
spread copious amounts of sunshine, Suzi too, is
an inspiration to behold. Her love of life, her
independence, her deep love and attachment to
her Blues, her determination, and her wanting
'to give back', leaves me in awe.
Sadly, Blues lived far too short a life. He lost
his bout with lymphoma, just weeks after turning
six years old. Not long enough. Especially for
those around him who greatly miss his gentle and
inspiring presence.
In Blues' memory, Suzi has set up a special
cancer fund through the University of Guelph's
Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital Pet
Trust. Her website, Smiling Blue Skies, at
http://www.smilingblueskies.com/index.html
is amazing. It's incredibly well written, has
gorgeous pictures of many dogs, and above all,
it's highly informative. There are up to date
articles on canine cancer, studies and grants,
pet loss support, and nutritional information.
The website also offers some gorgeous gift items
and jewelry for both our precious pets and for
us, with proceeds to the Blue Skies ® Cancer
Fund, for treatment and research, and for the
building of Canada's very first comprehensive
cancer centre for companion animals.
Please take the time to visit the Blues' site.
Like Blues and like Suzi, this site and their
story is a remarkable gift. Share it. |
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1054 Centre Streetont
Suite 377
Thornhill, Ontario
416-571-1175
As a
long time pet owner herself, and after experiencing the loss of
one of her rabbits, Zoe, Shiri R. Joshua, M.A. (Couns. Psych),
OACCPP resolved to combine her clinical training in Counselling
Psychology to enhance her expertise in Animal Assisted Therapy,
and Pet Loss Bereavement Counselling.
She
is a current member of the Association for Pet Loss and
Bereavement. Shiri's training and professional background, as the director
and founder of Mental Health Resources Canada (MHRC), allowed
her to offer her services to the community of?Canadian pet
owners.??Her
work has been featured n a variety of media, including, the "All
About Pets Show",
"Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!", "The Toronto Sun", and "The National
Post."??Shiri's work includes facilitation of Pet Loss
Bereavement?groups, leading professional seminars across Canada,
individual counselling, and house calls as needed.

http://www.mississaugapets.com/petloss.html
"The Halton/Peel Pet Loss Support Group"
Burlington: (905) 637-5233; Oakville: (905)
842-2252; Mississauga: (905) 272-4040.
The Halton/Peel Pet Loss Support Group, provides support to people
who are struggling with the death of a beloved companion animal.
Monthly support meetings (the 4th Saturday of each month) are held
at the Clarkson Community Police Station, in southwest Mississauga,
close to the border of Oakville and Mississauga.

http://www.specialneedspets.org/hospice.htm
Hospice Care
Includes: General Health Resources, Just for Dogs Section, Finding the
Right Vet, Advocating for Your Pet, Holistic Health Care, Nutrition,
Flower Essences, Just for Caregivers, Euthanasia, Related Links.
http://www.pethospice.org
The Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets
Its purpose is to encourage the provision of hospice care for dying
pets, so that pet owners who do not wish to choose euthanasia when their
animals are about to depart this life, or who wish to postpone it, can
care for them in the home environment, under veterinary supervision and
with adequate pain management and/or symptom control. Ultimately, for
those who see a natural death as the best and most acceptable end for
their pets, and who wish to strengthen the human-companion animal bond
in their pet's hour of greatest need, hospice care is the answer.

http://www.healthypet.com
Human/Animal Bond: Hospice Care -- Ending Life with Compassion
http://www.petloss.com/
Pet Loss Grief Support Web Site
http://www.aplb.org/
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
http://www.island.net/~patspets/petloss.htm
Pat's Pet Loss Support Line
Victoria BC
250-389-8047
http://www.sandyrpetcem.com
Sandy Ridge Pet Cemetery
R.R. #1, 11210 Ridge Line
Eden ON N0J 1H0
(519) 866-3243
Sandy Ridge Pet Cemetery is a legally zoned and restricted cemetery, with an endowment trust fund, to provide for its maintenance and preservation.
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After working in the Dolphin and Whale Conservation field and motivated by her experiences with dolphins as well as her own animal companions, Beata followed her heart and love of animals & began communicating professionally. She has since built a strong reputation and client base from all over Canada, the United States, & Europe. Approximately 70-80% of Beata’s consultations are long distance telephone communications and clients include people and their animal companions from all walks of life (& also include some celebrity clients). Beata works closely with a number of veterinarians and trainers; as well as several animal welfare organizations including Pet Patrol and Rottweiller Rescue. Her insights have benefited people and their animals with behavioral challenges, health concerns, lost and found, performance & training issues and reestablishing harmony - to name a few. She has also been called upon to work with many exotic animals such as those at zoo’s. Beata is also a certified Regressional Therapy facilitator although the animal communication work has taken the majority of her time.
Beata has been featured in The National Post, the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Wholelife Magazine and The Globe and Mail. She has also been interviewed on Radio 640’s “The Amazing Pet Program”, KOOL FM, the CBC Ontario Morning Show, “The Motts” on CFRB Talk Radio, CKCO Television and Rogers Cable Television. Beata has also lectured and taught at the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians Conference as well as speaking engagements with many different organizations. She teaches workshops on basic Animal Communication throughout the year.
Beata presently resides in Waterloo,Ontario and shares her home with three dogs and two cats. She is working on her first book and strongly believes that everyone has the ability to communicate with animals. As she says “It’s just a matter of opening your heart and remembering how to listen. Making Animal Communication once again our ‘Second Nature.’”
Dr. Horace Dobbs - IDW
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LynnMcKenzie
Animal Intuitive
www.AnimalEnergy.com
250-656-4390
Lynn McKenzie is an internationally known Animal Intuitive offering
phone consultations, workshops and teleclasses in Animal
Communication and Energy Healing. Her work is co-creative and very
enlightening. Her passion lies in helping others to attune and
awaken to the teachings and wonder that all sentient beings wish to
share. It is effective in dealing with animal/person relationship
issues, physical, emotional and behavioral concerns as well as
connecting with the spirits of animals who have crossed over. Lynn
is also a flower essence practitioner with her own line of essences
developed specifically for animals and aspiring students.
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