For many people, a pet is a member of the family, and the bond and love between pet and owner is very special. But when a pet passes away and that bond is broken, the sense of loss and grief can be overwhelming.
That is why Gulfside Hospice is offering a monthly pet loss support group for community members. The group meets on the last Thursday of every month at the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills, located at 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills, from 3 – 4:30pm. Upcoming dates include Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 29 and Dec. 7.
“The first step in coping with your grief is to acknowledge your feelings. Grieving the loss of a friend or companion is a sign of the love that existed between you,” said Gulfside Hospice Chaplain Mike Merritt, the support group’s facilitator. “At Gulfside Hospice’s Pet Loss Support Group, you can share your feelings with others who are going through a similar experience and work through the grief process together.”
For more information about the support group, call Merritt at 727-845-5707. The group is being offered in conjunction with Gulfside’s Pet Peace of Mind® Program, which keeps pets and people together during hospice care. To find out more about Gulfside’s Pet Peace of Mind program or to become a volunteer with the program, call 800-561-4883 or visit www.ghppc.org.