Losing a beloved pet can be a lonely and devastating time in your life. Sometimes it is difficult to find understanding, compassionate, and empathetic people to help support you along in your very personal journey of bereavement. With the safe environment of our support group, we hope to offer you a place to discuss your journey through grief, as well as find healthy coping skills that will foster a lightness in your heart and a place of honor for your pet.
Our group is open to adults who have lost a pet of any species or who anticipate losing a pet soon. Our mission is to help alleviate pain by lifting each other up and by sharing our feelings and experiences. Each session will highlight a different aspect of grief and will involve a combination of specialist-led discussions, presentations on the grieving process, coping and healing strategies, and non-judgmental peer support. Participants are encouraged to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable, with the understanding that everyone has their own individual needs.
Sessions are led by Marla Andrews of Humane Hearts, LLC. With a lifetime of work in animal welfare, Marla holds an M.Ed. in Humane Education and Animal Welfare and is certified as a Pet-Loss Grief Support Specialist (American Institute of Health Care Professionals). With a passion for helping others who share her love of animals, she brings a deep empathy and notable sense of humor that often helps to lighten and brighten the seriousness of the issues at hand.
For those looking for one-to-one specialist support, Marla also offers private grief support sessions. If you have a child or teen struggling with the loss of a pet, please email registration@nhspca.org and we can help coordinate additional support.
Cancellation Policy: Please note groups may be cancelled due to inclement weather or in the event of a closing due to extraordinary circumstances. For information about cancellation or closing, please refer to our main website page.
Groups will meet in the Community Meeting Room of the NHSPCA Learning Center for Pets and People on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00 – 8:15 pm. At this time, pre-registration is not required. Please email registration@nhspca.org with any questions.
This support group is free of charge to the public.
Upcoming dates and times:
Tuesday, August 8 – from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.
Tuesday, September 12 – from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.
Tuesday, October 10 – from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.
Tuesday, November 14 – from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.
Tuesday, December 12 – from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.
