One of the hardest losses a person can endure is that of a beloved pet. We often form unbreakable bonds with the animals we love. Our pets are our confidants, friends, and family. Grieving the loss of a pet is just as painful as grieving the loss of another person. Those feelings of sadness are difficult, and completely valid, and should be recognized in this busy society in which we live.
Life Forest has the pleasure of pairing with Wendy Van de Poll, MS, CEOL, whom is a certified pet loss grief coach, bestselling author, and founder of the Center For Pet Loss Grief, LLC, as part of the mission to offer emotional support and healing to Life Forest families. Wendy entered the world of pet loss and grief after experiencing the devastating death of her dog, Marley. “There wasn’t really anything out there for people,” says Wendy, who soon after became certified as an End of Life/Pet Loss Grief Coach. Losing a pet can feel even harder than losing a human loved one, and services and resources like those offered via the Center for Pet Loss Grief can help pet owners work through their grief, and experience and validate their feelings of loss.
Wendy offers one-on-one assistance, weekly meetings, and a listening ear for anyone seeking help with their pet loss grief. She has written a number of books, downloadable PDFs, and blog posts to support pet owners. Wendy has been working with grieving families for over twenty years and emphasizes that she offers different resources for different needs.
When asked how pet loss grief is like human loss grief, Wendy stated, “Grief is grief.” The stages of grief are the same; the physical, emotional, and spiritual feelings are similar. You still have to work through the grieving process. The grief differs, though, in that Wendy finds people seem to feel more guilt surrounding pet loss, and the grief can be more intense. While society is starting to acknowledge that pet loss is hard, there is still a tendency to not allow people to fully mourn their pets.
Wendy suggests one way to help ease the burden of pet loss is to plan ahead, while your pet is still alive, and life is less chaotic. If a pet is diagnosed with a terminal condition, having an end-of-life plan takes some of the pressure and focus off the pet owner so that they can attend to their pet in the moment. And when your pet does pass on, have a funeral. Honor the bond you have with your pet in whatever way feels right to you. This gives pet owners a chance to express their internal feelings outwardly.
Life Forest supports this concept and believes that pets should be honored as family, too. Companion animals’ cremated remains can be buried at Life Forest in a pre-need plot, or alongside the ashes of their owner. Both Life Forest and the Center for Pet Loss Grief hold compassionate, safe spaces for pet owners to grieve. The organizations respect the environment, people, and death, and what it all means for our society. “Care helps lessen the chaos,” Wendy says. “It takes a lot of courage and work to grieve,” and both Wendy and Life Forest aim to provide the time, space, and resources for people to experience their grief.
If you have experienced the loss of a beloved pet, seek support. Remember self-care. Eat healthy. Go out in nature (walk the trails at Life Forest, perhaps). You are not alone, and Life Forest and the Center for Pet Loss Grief are here to help.
Author Credit:
Caitlyn Hauke has a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Dartmouth College and works full time as a biosafety consultant. She also serves on the Green Burial Council Board of Directors, whose mission is to inspire and advocate for environmentally sustainable, natural death care through education and certification. Caitlyn is a valuable member of the Life Forest team, where she combines her education and leadership to serve families as the Cemeterian Team Lead. Caitlyn is proud to offer a more eco-friendly deathcare option to grieving families in a place that provides peace and healing.
