From Marty E. in Arizona:
Each day I looked forward to the much needed support that this course provided. It helped knowing that there was kindness and compassion waiting for me in my time of profound sadness. Thank you so much.
A review by Rosemarie Klorman,
a Certified Professional Counselor
This course is clear, concise, and well organized. It is very easy to understand; therefore, appropriate for all levels of intellectual functioning. Mrs. Tousley's empathic and supportive manner are definitely conveyed. The thoughts and feelings one experiences when losing their beloved pet are thoroughly covered. She addresses issues that most people are too embarrassed or ashamed to admit. She leaves "no stone unturned". She covers many issues that most people probably don't even consider such as "providing for pet care in your absence" and "anticipatory grief".
She explains the cognitive and emotional development of children, as well as the different grieving patterns for men, women, children, seniors and even the surviving pets in the household.
Both the psychological and physical symptoms associated with pet loss are also covered. Even the spirital side of pet loss is included, which is a very difficult issue. This course is wonderful for people who are grieving because it contains all the necessary information without having to go to several resources at this very difficult time. The "closing thoughts" and resources at the end of each lesson are extremely helpful and will be useful during the grief process as well as for future reference.
After taking this course, one will greatly understand the dynamnics of pet loss as well as the grief process. I highly recommend this very informative course because the information can be applied to the many issues that people face while grieving for their pets.
A review by Charlene Douglas,
Director/Owner - The Rainbow Passage
Being a pet loss counselor, it was reassuring to me to see what I share with my clients written down by another pet loss counselor. I found this course very thorough and portrayed at the appropriate level. It covered all aspects of grief from the very basic to the more complicated and complex. I really like seeing the "child component" for many parents/adults don't know how to deal with the grief of their children. . .Very well done.
Terry Hickey, founder of the Halton/Peel Pet Loss Support Group, had this to say about the course:
This course is written "from the heart"! Marty has experienced pet loss personally and it shows! I wish I had had access to this course prior to the death of my own beloved pet since this course provides more information and things to give thought to than most pet owners consider at that very tragic time when they are about to lose their beloved companions. I will certainly recommend this course to everyone who contacts the Halton/Peel Pet Loss Support Group!
The lessons were not too long and the imformation was imparted in a concise manner. This is particularly helpful since it is sometimes difficult to concentrate on anything when you are grieving a beloved pet. The students should be able to manage the length of these lessons, and obtain and retain the useful information included in each lesson. Just perfect!
Mary Anne Reyman, a volunteer with Companion Animal Association of Arizona Pet Grief Support Service, comments:
This course was very beneficial as an overview to coping with grief associated with pet loss. In addition to the subject matter being comprehensive, I thought the organization of the course was very well done. The "Mindset Preparation" section was a useful introduction to each lesson. I also appreciated the listing of additional references at the end of each lesson. Lessons that I found most helpful included: grief stages associated with children's ages, grieving for missing pets, helping a friend who has lost a pet, and providing for pet care in your absence.
The references cited provided more in-depth information if desired.
Sue Culberson, Pet-Loss Volunteer,
had this to say about the course:
I thought this course was well written and easy for anyone to understand. - The lessons were short and to the point. They kept my attention well and reinforced the material without a lot of repetition. It covered all the aspects of pet-loss, from anticipating the loss of a pet to the final decissions on, where, when, and what to do after.
Stephanie Hart comments:
I found this course to bring so many emotions to the surface as I went from Lesson to Lesson. It was done in such a way that one feels you really are communicating and it guides you gently through so many phases of loss. Even when I felt I had come upon an area of loss that I was familiar with, the compasionate and heartfelt lessons left me with new perceptions and a deeper understanding of the emotions one encounters. I will read it again and again and have no doubt that I will be able to understand and maybe help others who experience pet loss.
[Lessons] were great. You find yourself looking forward to the carefully picked out quotes and thoughts that open the lessons... And then move through the lesson (try to do it without crying) :)
From Ilene in Vermont:
I was so excited to find your courses dealing with pet loss. I have 2 dogs that are dying of cancer and with the vets I have here in Vermont there is no group that we are aware of that exist for us to get support. I am hoping with what I am going through and the courses I will be able to start a support group to help myself and others in this time. Through many on line searches I have come across support areas on line and though I believe they can help there is nothing like a group with people near you to help one through this time. Once again thank you so much for the chance to enroll in these courses.
If you’ve taken this course, kindly review this course here. We are grateful for this feedback!