Pet Bereavement and Euthanasia Support
14th Annual Family Central Education Conference
October 3rd & 4th 2003
2003 State of the Child
How Are The Children?
“Changing children’s lives for a lifetime”
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pet Bereavement and Beyond: Creative Ceremonies and Expression of Grief
Dr. Joanna M. Clekis, LMHC, LPC, LPCS
Pet Bereavement Consultant and Grief Coach
COUSE OUTLINE
1.What is pet bereavement?
a.Decisions for families and children
b.Loss for families and children
c.The grief process
d.Choices working with your Veterinarian and counselor
2.Pet stories (creative ways to express grief)….
a.Participants share what pets have brought to their lives
b.Participants experience a pet bereavement group
c.Connect between pet bereavement, the grief process and other life losses
d.Pets and the human developmental process
3.Pet ceremonies
a.Participants will contribute to the development of a ceremony for a pet.
b.Burial or cremation with a company or not?
c.Service styles
d.Music, religion, diversity
e.Children’s role and participation
4.Memorials….
a.scrap book
b.memory frame
c.shadow box
d.stuffed toy
e.music
f.Collectables
5. Interactive activity- Create a Memorial and building memories for a lifetime
a. Participants can bring pictures, memorabilia, poems, and things that remind them of a pet they have lost.
b. The facilitator will have art supplies and materials to work though some examples of things that can be done with a client, family member, or child to assist with grief and loss.
6. Questions and answers.
