The Pet Loss Companion

Pets teach our children so much about life, love, and, finally, how to manage loss and grief. Join Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez for a conversation about how to help our kids through the loss of their beloved friend. 

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.  

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.

When a human loved one dies our family and faith traditions may prescribe a particular way to respectfully dispose of their body, acknowledge the loss, and celebrate their life. Having such a preordained path can provide at least a small measure of relief at this overwhelmingly stressful moment. It’s different with a beloved animal companion. Will we ask our veterinarian to dispose of their body? Will we have it cremated instead? If so, will it be individual or group cremation? What about the options of burying or freeze-drying? Will we have a funeral or memorial service? If so, what will it look like? Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation about pet loss rituals and memorials. Send the hosts your own stories, questions, and suggestions for future episode topics at kenddv@gmail.com or nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com.

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.

Many of us have visits from our beloved pets after their passing. Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation about this common experience. They share personal anecdotes, accounts they've heard from others, and thoughts about what it all means.  

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.

The mood swings, confusion, and strange thoughts and perceptions that follow the death of a beloved pet can make us feel like we're losing our minds. Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation about what's normal when we're grieving as well as signs that warrant special attention.

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.

It's often hard to shake the feelings of guilt that follow the death of a beloved pet. Did I wait too long to end their suffering? Did we euthanize too soon? Why didn't I notice signs of their illness before it got so bad? These are just a few of the questions that plague us.  Here's the recording of our conversation about guilt after losing a pet and how to manage these feelings. 

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.

What a challenging year. We all lost much of what was normal in everyday life and this also may have been a year in which you lost a cherished animal companion. Nancy and I send warm regards and some thoughts on the unexpected confusion that can strike when we're grief-stricken on what's supposed to be a joyous day. 

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.

Nancy and I know that the relationships we have with our animal companions are one of life's most enriching gifts. In this holiday broadcast we celebrate those relationships by sharing stories about our pets, some of whom are with us today and others who have passed on. Please join us.

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.

What if we find ourselves grieving the loss of a beloved animal companion at the time of year when most people are celebrating important holidays? In this broadcast, Ken and Nancy share thoughts on navigating grief during this special time. 

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.

The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups on Amazon.com.