Pet Loss
Links from this Episode:
Contact Angie on LinkedIn
Email Angie
Books:
David Kessler: “Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief.”
Kristen Neff, PhD : Self Compassion
Meg Daley Lomert “Made for Each Other: The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond”
• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS & CHAT ROOMS:
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Hoofbeats in Heaven (Equine Loss Support)
IAADP Assistance Dogs Loss Committee
Pet Loss Hotlines:
Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline 607-218-7457
M-F 6 pm-9 pm eastern Time and
SS 12 pm-9 pm eastern time
Lap of Love Pet Loss and Bereavement Hotline 855-352-5683
Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline 508-839-7966 M-F 6 pm- 9 pm
UK Pet Bereavement Support – only the email function is available internationally:
I had the pleasure of speaking with today’s guest, Angie Arora, and her colleague several months ago about the research done on the challenges of pet loss and bereavement. They shared so much information during that discussion that I asked Angie to return to the show today. In this episode, Angie takes a deep dive into pet loss and bereavement, the stages of grief, immortalizing a beloved pet, and some of the challenges people had to face during the pandemic.
Angie is a registered social worker from Toronto, Canada, with over sixteen years of experience in the fields of pet loss and veterinary compassion resilience. She is a virtual pet loss facilitator and a lead coach for VetVine’s Wellness and Professional Resiliency Coaching Program. She also continues to research to better support clients through their pet’s end of life. Join us today to hear more about the work Angie is doing to help people through the various stages of the grief process.
Angie Arora, MSW, RSW:
Angie Arora is a registered Social Worker from Toronto, Canada, with over 16 years of experience in the areas of pet loss and veterinary compassion resilience. She has worked as a hospital Veterinary Social Worker, facilitated community-based pet loss support groups, and engaged in media campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with pet loss. Angie serves as the Board Secretary for the International Association of Veterinary Social Work, is the Research Chair for the International Association for Animal Hospice &Palliative Care, and volunteers her time to address equity issues within veterinary medicine. She works with VetVine as a Virtual Pet Loss Facilitator and is the Lead Coach for their VETPeers Wellness and Professional Resiliency Coaching Program. She is a Professor with Seneca College’s Social Service Worker Program, where she was the principal investigator of a research study that developed guidelines for veterinary teams to better support clients through their pets’ end of life. Angie obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University and Masters of Social Work from York University.
Links from this Episode:
Allison White Facebook
Support by Phone:
Lap of Love Pet Loss Bereavement & Support Hotline
a. (855) 352-LOVE (5683)
b. Complimentary
c. Available 6am-10pm CST
7 days a week
2. Day By Day – Caregiver Support
a. 484-453-8210
b. 24 / 7 Availability
c. Online chat room & other support – https://daybydaypetsupport.com
General Resources & Support:
• Lap of Love General Resources
University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center
a. CVMGriefSupport
A few months ago, I had to say goodbye to my 12 year old Golden Retriever, Chip. It was extremely difficult as it has been with all of the pets I’ve lost over the years. Several years ago I met Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff at a fundraiser to help a local animal shelter. Since that time, I’ve gotten to know Dr. Woodruff and the specialized services she provides to animals and their owners and want to share this knowledge with you. After graduating from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, she worked as a Mixed Animal Veterinarian. She also has experience as an emergency room Veterinarian and as a general small animal practitioner. The human animal bond has always been her focus and in 2012 she founded the St. Louis area branch of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia.
Dawnetta Woodruff, DVM:
Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff graduated from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She started her veterinary career as a Mixed Animal Veterinarian. She also has experience as an Emergency Room Veterinarian and as a General Small Animal Practitioner. Throughout her veterinary career, she has focused on client education and the human-animal-bond. In mid-2012, Dr. Woodruff founded the St Louis Area branch of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In Home Euthanasia. As a hospice veterinarian, her goal is to help families though a difficult decision making process, guiding and supporting them along the way. She also enjoys speaking at local veterinary clinics, veterinary CE meetings, and public events. When she is not working, Dr. Woodruff enjoys nature photography, and spending time with her husband, 2 kids, and 3 dogs. If you have any questions about veterinary hospice or in-home end-of-life care, please feel free to call (314-827-5606) or send an email to drdawnetta@lapoflove.com
Links from this Episode:
• Pet Loss Best Practice Guidelines for Veterinary Teams
Book mentioned:
When Friendship Lives Beyond the Stars by Dr. Amy Sugar
Today, I am happy to have the privilege of talking to Angie Arora and Kirsti Clarida, two professionals who I got introduced to through the Veterinary Social Work Program. Angie is a registered social worker from Toronto, Canada. She gears much of her practice around pet loss bereavement and building compassion resilience in animal care professionals. Kirsti is a registered veterinary technician in Ontario, Canada, and she has done a lot of advocacy work to increase awareness around the importance of the roles of Registered Veterinary Technicians in veterinary medicine. Kristi and Angie got together, and they have been doing a lot of research and putting some hard work into compiling a veterinary training manual to help people deal with any challenges related to their relationship with animals.
Although working with animals can be fulfilling and rewarding, it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. Angie and Kirsti are joining me today to discuss the work they are doing in the field, which includes pet loss and bereavement, compassion fatigue, and strengthening compassion resilience. Be sure to stay tuned today to hear what Angie and Kirsti have to share about reinforcing how people relate to animals.
Angie Arora, MSW, RSW:
Angie Arora is a registered Social Worker from Toronto, Canada, with over 15 years of experience in the areas of pet loss and veterinary compassion resilience. She has worked as a hospital Veterinary Social Worker, facilitated community-based pet loss support groups, and engaged in media campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with pet loss. She is on the inaugural Board of the International Association of Veterinary Social Work and serves as a Pet Loss Support Group Facilitator with VetVine. Angie is a Professor with Seneca College’s Social Service Worker Program. Her social work practice has also focused on issues of gender-based violence with a specific focus on immigrant and refugee communities. Also, she is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist with the Traumatology Institute and works with the veterinary industry to build wellness through strengthening compassion resilience. Angie obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University and Masters of Social Work from York University.
Kirsti Clarida, RVT:
Kirsti Clarida has been a proud Registered Veterinary Technician since graduating from Seneca College in 1999. With service in small animal, emergency, and locum veterinary practice, she brings a wealth of experience to her current role as Coordinator of the Veterinary Technician Program at Seneca College. She is also the former Communications Manager of the Ontario Association of the Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) creating campaigns to increase awareness of the important roles RVTs play in veterinary medicine in Ontario. Kirsti continues to advocate for RVTs in her roles as Vice-President of the OAVT and President of the Ontario Veterinary Technician Educators.