Support Group Details
who/what/where/when
In-Person
Abiding Ties Pet Loss Support Group meets the 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, St. Johnsbury, Vermont in Conference Rooms 126 and 127.
Please use the main hospital entrance, turn right at the main hallway towards the business center, pass the cafeteria on your left and the conference rooms will be on your right.
Abiding Ties Pet Loss Support Group provides pet caregivers a safe space to share stories and to connect with people who understand the experience of pet loss.
For more info, contact Linda Moore at 802-751-5239 or chaplain@abidingties.org
In order to help more people we are now offering Pet Loss Support Group Meetings On-Line!
On-Line via Zoom
We are now offering Zoom meetings in addition to our in-person meetings.
Zoom Meetings are held monthly, every second Tuesday, at 7:00 – 7:45 pm.
APRIL 9th, 2024 Zoom Meeting is Cancelled. See you in May.
Abiding Ties Pet Loss Support Group provides pet caregivers a safe space to share stories and to connect with people who understand the experience of pet loss.
To join the Zoom Meeting, use this link at the above date/time.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74110588534?pwd=RHRtF0mS8LaJtoZnItnhBSoR3zp9bS.1
For more info, contact Linda Moore at 802-751-5239 or chaplain@abidingties.org
Sharing Guidelines for Abiding Ties Pet Loss Support Group Meetings
- Respect others and listen without judgment. We have similar experiences, yet everyone grieves in their own way, and everyone’s loss is different, so it’s important to respect others’ feelings and thoughts.
- Use “I” statements when sharing your own story.
- Recognize that thoughts and feelings are not right or wrong. Avoid telling someone else how they should or should not feel.
- Do not give unsolicited advice. If someone asks specifically for advice on how to deal with a challenge, then you can share from your own experience of what worked or did not work for you.
- Avoid side conversations or steering the conversation into unrelated topics.
- Sharing time is shared. When sharing your story, be cognizant of other’s need to share their stories.
- Sharing is encouraged but not required. Participants should feel comfortable staying silent if they wish.
- Confidentiality is required. What is said in the group stays in the group. This helps create an environment in which participants feel safe to share.
- Feel free to take breaks as needed with no permission asked or required.
Frequently Asked Questions/Answers
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Do I need to provide my full name or other personal information to attend the support group meetings?
No. We will ask you to share only your first name when you share your story with the group. Some folks may share their full name, their hometown, and so on, but these are not expected or required. Sharing the names of your pets is definitely encouraged!
My dog was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma; is this support group for me?
Yes! We welcome those who are facing impending pet loss and those who are grieving the death of their pets whether it is a recent loss or a loss going way back to childhood. We welcome those who are suffering from ambiguous loss, where a pet has run away or due to circumstances of life such as divorce a pet must be given away to someone else and is no longer in your life.
What if I want to come to the support group meetings but don’t want to talk?
Sharing is encouraged but not required. Participants should feel comfortable staying silent if they wish.
Will I need to make a commitment to attend every meeting?
No. Participants are not required to sign up at any time. No commitment is needed.
I’m hesitant to share my story because I have trust issues; am I alone in that?
No! You are not alone in that! One of the Sharing Guidelines of Abiding Ties is that confidentiality is required. What is said in the group stays in the group. This helps us to create a safe, welcoming space for all.
Is this group for adults only or may children also attend?
Abiding Ties is a support group for adults only at this time. Our hope is as we support and provide coping strategies to parents, other family members, teachers, and others in the community that they will be better equipped to support the children in their care.
Is this group religiously oriented?
No. It is a group spiritually inclusive of all faith traditions or of no faith tradition.