Grief Support – Resources / IVG Hospitals

Grief Support – Resources

We are deeply sorry for your loss.

If you have recently lost your pet, we understand that this is a difficult time. While a decision will need to be made about how to handle your pet’s remains, you will have 72 hours to consider your options.

We understand these decisions are painful and we will do all we can to make this process as simple as possible. If you are in need of further assistance in coping with your own, or a child’s grief over the loss of a pet, please scroll down.  You will find a list of helpful resources, books and grief counseling services that may be of help.

Cremation and Burial Services
Hospitals within the IVG network use Forget-Me-Not Pet Crematory for cremations.

For more information on the process, fees and urn choices, please call or go to their website:  www.forget-me-notpetcrematory.com, call or email them.
Phone: 508.393.0133
Email: service@forget-me-notpetcrematory.com

Cremation options at Forget-Me-Not include private, individual and group cremation of your pet.  Family members are welcome to witness their pet’s private cremation, by appointment. With both the private and individual services your pet’s ashes (and only those of your pet) will be returned to you. Ashes of pets cremated with the group option are scattered at the Animal Rescue League Cemetery in Dedham, MA.

Burial Services
For burial services, Forget-Me-Not Pet Crematory provides free transportation for your pet to Pine Ridge Cemetery, an Animal Rescue League cemetery, in Dedham, MA.
Please contact Pine Ridge to make burial arrangements.
Phone: 617.226.5652
Email: pineridge@arlboston.org

If you would prefer to work with another service, or if you  prefer to make your own arrangements, please let our client care coordinators know; they will gladly assist.

You and your pet deserve to be treated with the utmost respect at this time. We are available to answer any and all questions that you may have regarding this painful process.

GRIEF SUPPORT

Pet Loss Counseling
http://www.superdog.com/petloss/counsel.htm

National Support Hotlines and Resources

University of California at Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
1-800-565-1526
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/index.htm

Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine
(607) 253-3932
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/Org/PetLoss/

University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine
1-877-394-CARE (toll-free)
(217)-244-CARE (local)
http://vetmed.illinois.edu/CARE/grief.html

Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine
(508) 839-7966
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/petloss/

Washington State University
(509) 335-5704
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/PLHL/

Resources on the Web

American Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/goodbyefriend/plhotlines.asp?

Pet Loss Memorials & Support
www.nepanetwork.com/keepsakes
www.pet-loss.net
www.ourpals.com
www.aplb.org
www.paws2heaven.com
http://www.funeralwise.com/pets/children

Horse Loss Support
www.hoofbeats-in-heaven.com

Additional Support Materials

Books for Children:

• Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
• Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
• I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm, Crown Pub
• A Special Place for Charlee: A Child’s Companion Through Pet Loss by Debra Morehead
• A Gift From Rex by Jim Kramer, DVM
• Tear Soup by Pat Schweibert and Chuck DeKlyen
• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
• Annie Loses Her Leg But Finds Her Way by Sandra J. Philipson
• Healing Your Grieving Heart for Kids by Alan Wolfelt, PhD
• Goodbye Mousie by Robie Harris
  Tough Boris by Mem Fox, Harcourt

Books for Adults:

• Goodbye My Friend by Herb and Mary Montgomery
• A Final Act of Caring by Herb and Mary Montgomery
• Journey Through Pet Loss by Deborah Antinori
• Grieving the Death of a Pet by Betty J. Carmack
• How to Go on Living When Someone You Love Dies by Therese Rando
• The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman
• Healing Your Grieving Heart by Alan Wolfelt, PhD

This information was made available by the Argus Institute at Colorado State University, James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital and is also available on the web at http://www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu/