Losing a pet friend and companion can be heartbreaking. Whether it is a sudden or planned goodbye, it is an emotional time. We understand the strength and specialness of the animal-human bond. Starting in January we will be hosting a Pet Loss Grief Support Group presented by Four Seasons Compassion for Life. This group will be for anyone who is grieving the loss of an animal companion and needs further support.
We want to welcome Kathy Link, a licensed clinical social worker at Four Seasons. Four Seasons provides a continuum of care across eleven counties in Western North Carolina, including Buncombe County. They provide care navigation, home care, palliative care, hospice care, community bereavement support, and clinical research. Kathy is very excited to be the first facilitator of the newly formed Four Seasons Pet Loss Grief Support Group in Buncombe County. She is supported by an entire team of community bereavement professionals including other licensed clinical social workers, chaplains, and music therapists.
Like many of us, Kathy has been touched by the loss of a canine companion and found a passion for helping families with their grief.
When I was going back to school to become a social worker, my beloved 16-year-old Shih-Tzu passed away after a sudden illness. Her name was Bailey. I’ll never forget the struggle of attempting to attend classes while grieving the loss of my pet. And I’ll never forget the professor who told me through my weeping apologies of what I thought to be inappropriate tears at an inappropriate place that grieving the loss of a pet is one of the most difficult processes that people go through in our culture, and that when we lose our pets, we need the same level of support – and sometimes even more – as when we lose a human. I am truly honored to provide that support to my community. – Kathy
Four Seasons Pet Loss Grief Support Group
Who: Anyone who has lost a pet is grieving and needs further support
What: Four Seasons Pet Loss Grief Support Group
When: The first and third Monday of every month from 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Animal Hospital of North Asheville, 1 Beaverdam Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
Why: Because your feelings of grief matter and our pets are our families.
We kindly ask that you please, leave your pets at home. This group is for people only.
Cost: There is no cost to group participants. Four Seasons Bereavement Support services are made possible by community support and philanthropic donations. For more information on how to support the mission of Four Seasons and this program in particular, please call the Four Seasons Foundation at 828.513.2440. www.FourSeasonsCFL.org
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