Are you grieving the death of a beloved pet?
The death of a companion animal can be quite devastating and sometimes can cause greater pain than the death of a human family member. Some may feel guilty about that or about the choice to euthanize a pet. This group creates a safe place for you to describe the events that led to the pet’s death, to share memories, to ask questions about the grieving process or for ideas to memorialize the pet.
Attending this group is a useful step in the grief process which can help you to openly experience the pain of loss and to memorialize your pet in ways that are appropriate for you. You may never “get over” the death, or forget about your special family member, but you can learn how to live with your loss and move forward.
The Pet Loss Support Group is facilitated by Michele Shimamura, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who has provided grief support for individuals and groups for eleven years. She has enjoyed the unconditional love of her companion animals for over 60 years. Michele has learned that with every pet’s death she has mourned in different ways, learning and growing from each experience.
There is no fee to attend, and the group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. However, please call (925) 829-8770 or (510) 439-4917 to schedule a phone interview prior to attending this group.
