Pet Loss Support and Education
Shiva’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond provides education, guidance and support for pet-loving families as they cope with the devastating loss of their companion animal.
Pet Loss Group cancelled effective 8/4/09
Dear Friends,
It is with much disappointment that we inform the community that we will be discontinuing the pet loss support groups on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, for now. Attendance has dwindled to the point where, at times, no one shows up in spite of having a licensed therapist on location to facilitate. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue the group(s) until we can find a more central location and evaluate alternative times and dates. We do know that the need continues and want to determine the best way to meet the need.
In the meantime, if any client needs individual pet loss counseling, they may contact Eva Van Prooyen, MFT at (805) 845-4960 www.evavp.com or David Baldwin, PhD at (805) 695-8300 www.drdavidbaldwin.com . Individual counseling is not free, rather it is fee-for-service. However, each of the clinicians will do their best to make sure that those grieving the loss of a pet can obtain much needed support.
There are also pet loss hotlines available – an extensive list is on the Shiva’s Center website at www.shivascenter.org. University of California at Davis staffs their pet loss support hotline, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (PST). Their phone number is 530-752-4200 / (800) 565-1526 or you can access pet loss information through www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/index.htm. For additional pet loss support resources, go to www.shivascenter.org/pet_loss_resources.html.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via email at info@shivascenter.org. Alternately, if you know of a central (downtown Santa Barbara) location, please let us know that as well.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Trish Lane
Founder, Board Member
Shiva’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond