Pet Loss and Bereavement Support Group
There is something deep within our nature that loves the special relationship of the human-pet bond. In many ways, our bonds with our beloved pets are stronger, purer, and far more intimate than our other relationships.
Andrea Seader, a certified pet loss and bereavement counselor through the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB), facilitates a support group at the Valerie Friedman Program Center. Andrea also provides virtual and phone support to those not close to our Manchester location.
The group will be an emotionally safe environment that is caring, compassionate, and supportive. Group members will also learn about the grieving process, so that they may evaluate their own healing and provide peer support to others. The group is appropriate for those who have had a loss at any time, and addresses anticipatory grief and other types of loss, recently or in the past, such as disappearance, divorce, moving, relinquishing.
What Andrea has to say about the Group:
The group is designed to be a small mutual support body. We address the issue of pet loss bereavement as a special type of loss, similar to human loss, but unique in many of its qualities. We seek to provide an opportunity for group members to express their feelings related to their loss – and its meaning for them. The Group is an emotionally safe environment that is caring, compassionate, and supportive. Group members will also learn about the grieving process, so that they may both evaluate their own healing and provide peer support to others. Each member if possible, brings photos as well as loving memories to share with the others.
Benefits of Support Groups:
People have the capacity not only to heal from loss, but also possess the inherent ability to empathize with others experiencing similar pain. Empathy is a powerful tool in healing. People need and seek interpersonal contact and meaning in their lives. In addition, understanding one’s own suffering can be enhanced through the experience of helping another person.
For more information, contact Andrea via email at: [email protected] or call 860-205-6311.