VOORHEES, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — There are support groups that help people grieve the loss of a loved one, but a New Jersey group is helping those whose loved one is a pet.
The Animal Welfare Association of New Jersey has a new Pet Bereavement Program in Voorhees, and it’s helping folks get through the very personal trauma of losing their pets.
The virtual meetings are twice a month, and in-person meetings begin in September.
Certified pet bereavement specialist Christian Snyder leads their pet loss support group. He says if people know that others can relate to them, they open up more.
“So they don't feel so alone in the process. If we connect with other people in that sort of way, then you know we're able to open up more about our experiences,” said Snyder, who added that it’s important for people to know they have a place to turn to.
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“This was a way for us to create a program that connects with the community, to be able to support them in a way that is very unique and different, that is not always thought about all the time,”said Snyder.
AWA recognizes that people have a special connection with their pets, and that a growing number of households have companion animals that are a part of their family.
Executive Director Laura Houston said the loss of a pet family member can have lasting effects.
“You're missing their presence. You're wishing you could talk to them. You're missing the routines, if you got up and walked your dog in the morning or fed your cat. You're missing all of the same things that you miss when you lose a family member,” she said.
AWA is the oldest and largest adoption center and no-kill animal shelter in South Jersey, and Houston says they want to be a hub for the community’s multiple pet needs.
“It's not something that you find very easily in the community,” Houston said.
“Especially I think with people coming out of COVID and the aloneness and isolation, their pets were even more crucial to them. We wanted to be able to provide that opportunity to give that form for them to connect.”
A schedule of both virtual and in-person sessions, as well as sign-up for sessions, can be found by visiting www.awanj.org.