The Peabody Institute Library will be hosting a Pet Loss Grief Support group, presented by Marla Andrews of Humane Hearts, LLC. The meetings will take place at the following dates and locations: Thursday, March 2nd at 6:30PM at the South Branch Library, Thursday, April 20th at 6:30PM at the West Branch Library, and Wednesday, May 17th at 6:30PM at the Main Library. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Losing a beloved pet can be a lonely and devastating time in your life. Sometimes it is difficult to find understanding, compassionate, and empathetic people to help support you along in your very personal journey of bereavement. With the safe environment of our support group, we hope to offer you a place to discuss your journey through grief, as well as find healthy coping skills that will foster a lightness in your heart and a place of honor for your pet.

Our group is open to adults who have lost a pet of any species or who anticipate losing a pet soon. Our mission is to help alleviate pain by lifting each other up and by sharing our feelings and experiences. Each session will highlight a different aspect of grief and will involve a combination of specialist-led discussions, presentations on the grieving process, coping and healing strategies, and non-judgmental peer support. Participants are encouraged to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable, with the understanding that everyone has their own individual needs.

Sessions are led by Marla Andrews of Humane Hearts, LLC. With a lifetime of work in animal welfare, Marla holds an M.Ed. in Humane Education and Animal Welfare and is certified as a Pet-Loss Grief Support Specialist (American Institute of Health Care Professionals) and is also a pet chaplain. With a passion for helping others who share her love of animals, she brings a deep empathy and notable sense of humor that often helps to lighten and brighten the seriousness of the issues at hand. For more information, visit https://www.humanehearts.com/