Providing grief support since 1999
Services
Individual Counseling
Anticipatory Grief Counseling
Anticipatory Grief Counseling
Bereavement refers specifically to the process of recovering from the death of a pet or loved one. Grief is a reaction to any form of loss. Both encompass a range of feelings from deep sadness to anger. The process of adapting to a significant loss can vary dramatically from one person to another, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to the loss, along with other factors.
Everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. Some people recover from grief quicker and resume normal activities, though they continue to feel moments of sadness. Others may feel better after about a year and sometimes people continue to grieve for years without seeming to improve or find relief even temporarily. Grief can be complicated by other conditions, most notably is depression.
There is no “right” way to grieve, each person is an individual and at Ontario Pet Loss we recognized that each person’s journey from the present to one of comforting memory is not easy journey and one that does not need to be traveled alone.
One on one counselling in a private, confidential setting. Focusing on your individual needs in hourly sessions.
Session are on Zoom only
Anticipatory Grief Counseling
Anticipatory Grief Counseling
Anticipatory Grief Counseling
Anticipatory grief, a reaction preceding an impending loss.
Grief does not wait for death to happen; it occurs both in anticipation of and following a loss. Extended illness, disability, severe accidental injury, a terminal diagnosis can produce what is known as anticipatory grief and mourning. People find themselves reacting and continually adapting not only to an expected loss, but to all their losses.
This may begin as soon as we become aware that death may occur. When a life-threatening illness is diagnosed or a terminal prognosis is given, we understand that there is no cure, and we realize that death is inevitable.
We are coping not only with our own feelings of grief and loss, but also with physical and mental fatigue. We may feel overwhelmed with all the emotions and responsibilities.
In many ways anticipatory mourning is more difficult than the grief we experience following the death.
This period offers a time of preparation, an opportunity to begin to plan our lives without our pets.
Group Support
Anticipatory Grief Counseling
Group Support
Our monthly meetings – a place where people can share their stories, losses and feelings of grief, in a caring, non-judgmental and supportive environment.
We do encourage people to share their stories and pet photos, but do not force those who are not yet able to share. Some people benefit just by listening to others talk and realize that they are not alone. No two circumstances are the same, no two animals are the same, but people find solace in knowing that there are others who can truly understand the pain.
We offer sympathy – not pity – we are able to help by acknowledging that we don’t “get over” the loss in a week or two. If the loss is deep enough, some will spend the rest of their lives trying to figure out how to live with it. That doesn’t mean they will never be joyful and happy again. It means that they live with the knowing that their lives will never be the same again.
We provide genuine compassion, since we are all pet lovers and have shared the same experiences.
Non-pet owners, who haven't experienced the love and the connection of a human-animal bond, do not understand and can not appreciate the feelings that arise from the loss of a pet. They are unable to share the same emotions or have difficulty in understanding why we are unable to “get over” our loss, as one would with a human loss.
By participating, it demonstrates a valuable experience, a gift to help others and the knowing that we are all human and share the same compassion for our pets.
Rates:
St Timothys Community Market
Stop by to say hello on June 8 2024. Find out about our group and our services.
Enter to win a reiki animal session.
We are a non-for-profit organization and strictly rely on donations. Help support us by purchasing a bracelet or key chain.
100% of all sales goes to help support Ontario Pet Loss.
Location: St Timothy School
2214 Cliff Rd, Mississauga, ON L5A 2N9
9am-1pm
