Testimonials For Pet Loss Support Groups
It has given me tools I can use in other areas of loss
Pet Loss Support Groups12/14/2021
Pet Loss Support Groups09/22/2021
After my beloved dog died, I was lost. I struggled to make it through the day and each moment I was on the verge of tears and collapse. My heart was broken and no one really cared because it was "Just a dog'. I was on facebook one evening and an ad came up about pet loss being as real as people loss with grief. I felt like it was there especially for me. I clicked on it and was taken to a facebook page where it was filled with kindness and so gentle. I messaged Lorri and we met on Zoom to talk about the program. I was so desperate I decided to give it a try. We met in person for the 6 weeks and she was there for me when ever I needed help or support. Were there tears? Yes there were many but as the weeks went on the tears felt different. I learned that tears are okay and with Lorri was a safe space to let them fall. I am so proud that I finished this program and have healed my heart! I still miss Luna, my beloved baby girl, but I am able to talk about her without all the pain I felt before. I am forever grateful. Lorri also told me about the podcast her and a colleague do and each new episode I am filled with hope. I am looking forward to attending an 8 week program this fall to start healing my heart on the many other losses I have. Thank you Grief Recovery Method and thank you Lorri for your kind gentle heart.xo
Pet Loss Support Groups06/03/2021
Pet Loss Support Groups05/06/2021
I found the Grief Recover program extremely helpful in processing the loss of several pets. The online format was clean and easy to follow. I complete the Pet Grief Recovery program with tools that I will definitely use in the future. At times I got impatient with the steps, but I found following the directions was really effective.
Pet Loss Support Groups01/14/2021
Although I am still sad at the loss of my dog Julie I have an understanding now of what I'm going through and am getting better every day. I would highly recommend it to anyone going through the loss of a pet or loved one and you couldn't have a better person to help you through this than Eric Van Fossen at Balanced Perceptions. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Pet Loss Support Groups07/17/2020Participant in Dayton, Ohio
The Pet Loss Grief program helped me work through my issues with the death of Lab, Mollie. She was my best friend and I still miss her but now I only remember happy memories.
Pet Loss Support Groups12/17/2019Participant in Newberry, SC
The program snuck-up on me and I felt changed in how I thought about my doggie Sophie. I am now able to think about her with happy memories instead of tears and snot. Thank you!
Pet Loss Support Groups12/17/2019Participant in Newberry, SC
The Pet Loss Program has helped me move on from the death of my cat. I can now think and talk about her without falling to pieces. I have been able to get my life back on track. I will be signing up for the regular Grief Recovery Method soon and I will be sharing with everyone I know.
Pet Loss Support Groups12/17/2019Participant in Newberry, SC
I thought the loss of my dog was my true problem, but it was because of my dog, Molly, and losing my husband to cancer. Taylor helped me understand my grief and was a shoulder to cry on and never treated me as a "crazy old lady." I even started working with her on dealing with my husband's death. I never visited his grave after the funeral, but when I felt strong enough to I asked Taylor to go with me and she did (she was the director that helped with his funeral) she even remembered he loved deer hunting and brought a small deer figurine to put on his grave.
Pet Loss Support Groups12/12/2019Participant in Clarksville, Arkansas
This program has really helped me with learning to healthily grieve over the loss of a very close pet, and in the process how to identify and understand different losses in my life in general that have intertwined with my grief for this pet. I would really suggest this to other people even if they don't think they might need it it let me see how people told me to grieve rather than how I really needed to personally grieve.
Pet Loss Support Groups12/06/2019Participant in bremen, IN
This program was outstanding and was just what I needed at this time. It was such an impactful experience for me, I am seriously thinking of getting the training to become a certified trainer.
Pet Loss Support Groups10/01/2019Participant in Bend, Oregon
After the 2-day workshop, I am more clear about the nature of the losses I've experienced and feel more connected to humanity. I realize that we are all grievers. And that there are some tools to manage and lessen our grief.
Pet Loss Support Groups09/29/2019Participant in Bend, OR
I'm already noticing there isn't as much zing to coming home to where Mark is no longer. I also appear to be calmer about my unknown future.
Pet Loss Support Groups09/29/2019Participant in Bend, OR
Need a t shirt or sign on the wall, TRUST THE PROCESS! I wanted to leave and resisted the Apologize, I forgive part, I also really reacted negatively to one of the participants who sucked all the oxygen out of the room with her statements. Because we cant do anything but tell them how that makes us feel, they were allowed to control the room. I didnt want to be around it. I didnt want to make a scene with my feelings as she did so I contemplating just leaving. Spoke to Ed and he calmed me down and was helpful. Some people are snowflakes and are offended by everything. Got tired of heariing about her Safe Space. I dont want a safe space, I want to challenge this horrible hurt head on. Felt like she controlled the room at times. I persevered and actually apologized and shared much with my partner, I was able to say goodbye and accomplish much I felt couldnt do and wouldnt do. Really, Really appeal to you to give us visual Tools. The filling in of the blanks on Eds teaching materials was powerful. I was more distracted that I couldnt solidify learning by writing things down than by my grief. At times I felt there were too many rules, dont do this dont do that. I am wondering what part NLP or Sugestions , can play a part. "I am wondering if you could imagine completing this grief, not telling you to do it, just wondering"
Pet Loss Support Groups09/29/2019Participant in Bend, Oregon
I have been struggling with learning how to cope with the painful, unresolved, grief of tragically losing my sister and my business. The Grief Recovery Method has taught me coping skills, and a tried and true plan of action that gave me clear cut steps to complete my grief that was ultimately causing me physical pain. I look forward to continuing the process by completing the grief around more events that have occurred during my life. I wish everyone I encountered was able to attend this program!
Pet Loss Support Groups09/22/2019Participant in Commack, New York
I feel so fortunate to have encountered Cricket-Olivia Forfar. I had never heard of the Grief Recovery Method for Pet Loss and was eager to attend her information presentation. Since what she had to say made so much sense to me I decided to sign up with her.
The book is very informative and lays out the process but I had questions throughout and benefited from the long discussions I had with Cricket. Anyone who tries this with the book alone should be extremely disciplined - I know I couldn't have done it. I needed everything Cricket brought to the table - encouragement, sympathy, patience and understanding. I told a friend what I was doing and she bought the book alone (but she's in a different country.) It was my friend's intention to complete assignments at the same pace as me. Without the commitment of the appointments and the training that Cricket has so she could respond to my questions and challenges, my friend still hasn't finished.
I had many "A-Ha" moments. For example:
- Early in my reading of the book I learned that we are taught to acquire things, not to lose them.
- Virtually all of the phrases used by well intentioned people do not address grief - they at best offer no comfort and at worst are bad advice.
- About two thirds of the way through I found myself laughing at something on television and the sound was so foreign that I realised I hadn't laughed out loud in at least two years. That same week I laughed heartily at something while at work. Co-workers turned and stared at me and one even said she couldn't remember the last time she had heard me laugh.
Make no mistake, this is extremely hard emotional work. I needed Cricket to help me dig deep enough when my natural inclination to avoid or procrastinate surfaced. I didn't want to go through the process, I needed to. Also, this doesn't stop me missing my loved ones. I am still sad and even cry occasionally because their losses have become part of the fabric of my life. But I am not locked into their endings any more, not obsessing about the decisions I made at the time. The memories of the whole relationships and the years of joy we shared make me happy.
I can't thank or praise Cricket enough. She and the Grief Recovery Method have changed my life.
Pet Loss Support Groups07/03/2019Participant in Toronto, Ontario
I was better able to understand grief which helped me with my loss if Chip.
Pet Loss Support Groups02/26/2019Participant in Levittown, PA
I found this program to be beneficial to me not just in coping with the loss of my own pet but providing me with resources to help my clients deal with the loss of their pets as well. Working in oncology in a veterinary specialty facility means that each one of my patients is likely to have a terminal disease, and owners need to come to terms with losing their pet. I feel that I am now more capable of talking through grief with owners and providing them with healthy ways to cope with their loss, rather than just sending them to a website or home with a brochure.
Pet Loss Support Groups02/26/2019Participant in Levittown, PA
This program was very informative and gave me some excellent tools to use in not only my private life, but in my professional life as well, as this is something I deal with on a regular basis.
Pet Loss Support Groups02/26/2019Participant in Levittown, Pa
It wasn’t until I met with Gwen did I realize what “grief” actually meant. Gwen is the most compassionate person I have ever met. She is kind, understanding, non-judgmental and so caring. Gwen explained the Grief Recovery Method and the work involved over the next 6 weeks. I immediately signed up to meet with her one-on-one. Finally, a safe place where I could cry and openly talk about my pet losses and not feel judged or crazy. Why was this grief for my dogs more paralyzing to me than I had for some “human” relatives I recently lost? Working with Gwen and going through the suggested exercises in “The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss” was invaluable. The chapters on creating a Relationship Graph, discussing Recovery Categories (apology, forgiveness and emotional statements) and the Completion Letter at the end of the program was life changing for me. There are no words to adequately describe how Gwen helped me through the most difficult time in my life. The key to this program was having an experienced and compassionate listener who made me feel safe and comfortable when I was pouring my heart and soul out. This program will help you gain valuable tools and insight to help you decide if and when you want to welcome another pet into your life. My heart is at peace now. Yes, I still get sad every so often but I don’t get “stuck” in that sadness like I use to. I can now recall stores of Oreo and Spencer and smile (or even shed a few tears) because my heart is no longer shattered.
Pet Loss Support Groups11/01/2018Participant in Commack, New York
Pet Loss Support Groups10/30/2018Participant in Commack, New York
In doing the Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss I have the knowledge and skills to use the method in all aspects of loss in my life. I am encouraged and excited to put into practice the skills I have learned!
Pet Loss Support Groups09/26/2018Participant in Boise, ID
Pet Loss Support Groups07/20/2018Participant in Grant, AL