LOSS: Leaving Our Soulful Signature (Guiding Clients through Pet Loss)
Information
Recorded
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Give 3-4 examples of empathetic communication with clients.
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Identify 3-4 experiences of pet loss.
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Demonstrate how to start a support group, donation, remembrance ceremony, online memorials, and provide resources for those who have experienced pet loss.
Educational Goal
The educational goal of this workshop is to help attendees learn to communicate with clients experiencing anticipatory grief and pet loss in an empathetic way, along with leaving their soulful signature through 5 tools to help people honor their beloved pets.
Description
This session will help educate attendees on how to communicate on a more personal level with clients who have lost their pet, by identifying different experiences of pet loss (including complicated and traumatic loss), learning physical and emotional-related aspects of grief, and knowing empathetic language for calls and meetings. People will also learn five helpful strategies in leaving a soulful signature in their clients’ hearts during pet loss (support groups, donations, remembrance ceremonies, online memorials/candlelight services, and resource library) and understand compassionate communication with clients of all ages (children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens).
Target Audience
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
Presenters
Anna McClain (PGSS-C) was born and raised in Orange, California and has treasured animals her whole life. She graduated in 2006 with a BA in Sociology from Cal State Fullerton University and has been certified as a pet loss grief support specialist since 2015. Her PAWS Pathway counseling focuses on the unique human-animal bond and is in honor of her chocolate poodle, Alfie, who passed away in 2016. Anna also has multiple AA/AS degrees in Psychology, Animal Science, Livestock Management, and Administration of Justice, and has aspirations to go for her MSW in veterinary social work over the next few years. She currently works as a support specialist for DVMcenter and MN Pets. Anna carries a deep passion for helping people through the heartache of pet loss and is also a freelance writer for Animal Wellness magazine.
Financially Sponsored By
- International Association of Veterinary Social Work