Classes

Objectives

In this class you will have an opportunity to:

• Raise your awareness about the ways in which spiritual beliefs impact loss and grief, including the common experiences of crises of faith and cognitive dissonance
• Clarify and reflect upon your own spiritual beliefs about animal death—including your own experiences of animal death—and your level of comfort and/or anxiety with death in general
• Become familiar with the difference between the emotional and spiritual components of loss and grief
• Identify the harmful effects of a “spiritual bypass” response to loss and how to avoid unwittingly encouraging it with clients
• Discriminate the difference between psychological and religious/spiritual perspectives of forgiveness
• Learn how to use specific steps to empower clients to work through issues of hurt, resentment or anger without imposing your own beliefs about what their spiritual perspectives should be regarding forgiveness
• Learn the difference between unwittingly imposing your own spiritual beliefs onto clients (i.e., with platitudes which may reflect your beliefs but may not be theirs) and empowering clients to explore how their own spiritual beliefs may or may not be supporting their healing process
• Increase your awareness of the power of language to help or harm, and learn specific ways to be sensitive and deliberate about your choice of words used with clients

Content and Purpose

A major loss, trauma or crisis can challenge the very heart of our spiritual beliefs, rocking the foundation of what we have held most meaningful and perceived as truth. As helping professionals, the way we help our clients deal with such crises of faith, and all issues of spirituality, can either enhance or impede their healing process. The role of spirituality in pet loss grief counseling must be handled with care. In our helping relationship, any discussion about religious or spiritual beliefs needs to focus on the client’s beliefs not the helper’s beliefs. A professional helper’s spiritual beliefs are not universal truth for all, and should not be shared or imposed as such. Our job is to help clients clarify what beliefs may be supporting or not supporting their healing, not to tell them what to believe.

The issues below and many others are discussed and reviewed in-depth in this class. Whether your professional roles include veterinary medicine, animal communication, energy healing, counseling and therapy or any healing arts or other helping roles, the information, exercises and resources in this class are designed to help you feel more comfortable, confident and effective in integrating the issues of spirituality in providing pet loss grief support and in any helping relationship.

• Do you know what the “spiritual bypass” is? Is there any chance you have inadvertently used this with clients and negatively impacted their healing?
• Have you ever worked with a client who is in distress or great inner turmoil because of the conflict between what their priest/rabbi/spiritual teacher is telling them about animal souls and the afterlife and what they believe in their own heart?
  
• Have you ever been concerned or confused about the gray area between sharing a spiritual concept that you believe will truly help a client but wanting to do it in a way that is not preachy or imposing, wanting to handle the issue of spirituality in pet loss grief counseling well but feeling unsure how to do so?
• Have you ever been confronted with a client experiencing a crisis of faith—their beliefs shattered by a major trauma or loss and are now unsure what to say?
  
• Have you ever wondered about the best way to handle it when a client’s spiritual beliefs seem to clearly be preventing them from healing or finding peace?
• Did you know that the #1 resented response to loss from mourners are religious and spiritual cliches, such as:  “It was God’s will” or “Take comfort in knowing your animal’s soul chose to go—they are happy and whole now on the other side?”
• Have you ever been taken aback by a client’s description of their religious or spiritual beliefs, rituals or practices? Perhaps because they may be polar opposite to your own beliefs, you’ve never heard of such beliefs or you worry that these beliefs may be an obstacle to their healing?
• Have you ever worked with a helper/healer who preached (even softly and kindly) to you regarding spiritual beliefs–expressing their beliefs as if they are the “truth” for everyone, encouraging you to take on these beliefs?
• Have you ever given much thought to the issue of spirituality in pet loss grief counseling?

You may also be interested in the related class: Essential Counseling Skills for Pet Loss Grief Support

Testimonials

Invited the participant to reflect, shift and grow, thus deepening their skills when helping people

This class is filled with a wealth of resources. The materials, exercises and discussion invite the participant to reflect, shift and grow, thus deepening their skills when helping people.

I like all the re-wordings offered. Those, along with having case scenarios & exercises, helped me think and reflect on what to say or not say in a situation, both so helpful. Doing the exercises really made me think about my position, feelings and beliefs. Some were easy and some were difficult to look at. I am grateful for that because it helped me see my own filters better.  Sometimes I think I have accepted some things as truth just because they sounded good—so no real in depth consideration was given—so I really enjoyed taking the time to do the exercises.

As always, Teresa’s manner is thoughtful and considerate. She shares the information gracefully, and invites input and discussion from the audience. I always feel welcome to share my feelings. Teresa is skillful at addressing the comments and discussion on any questions that come up during the course.
~ Julie L, Madison, Wisconsin

Fascinating class that explores such important topics related to spirituality and the helping professions! 

I learned a lot about myself and about how to better support my clients. I feel like this course should be offered in colleges for any social work/psychology programs. It’s such important information.
The section about anger/hate/forgiveness was so valuable on both a personal and professional level. These are issues that everyone can benefit from exploring!  Teresa is always insightful, respectful and knowledgeable!
~ Shawna R, Pennsylvania

The class was FABULOUS

Many things applied to me that I hadn’t fully understood before; such as thinking if I’m spiritually okay with grief, I shouldn’t feel emotional pain. Not true.
~ Lynn L, Mississippi

It illustrated how easy it is to let our own beliefs creep into our interaction with clients
And reminded me to talk less, listen more. Good counseling is “ask, don’t tell.” This was stressed over and over, and for very good reason. The exercises of putting pen to paper makes us go deeper into the exercise and experience, rather than just thinking about it. A well organized class. Teresa is compassionate, human, and wise, a great combination. Well organized and good reading lists. Thank you.
~ Nancy S, California

The class was very informative. The exercises and examples were excellent.
The topic has potential to be very boring, but it was not boring at all. Teresa is a high caliber teacher with much to offer those working in the fields of grief support/counseling/therapy and metaphysical fields. Teresa skillfully simplifies concepts which could potentially be overwhelming and provided excellent examples that keep things interesting and fun. My most significant learning from this class is how powerful and hurtful certain  words can be.

~ Lori K, Maryland

Despite my previous mental health clinician education, I had never been in a class like this 

No matter what class I take with Teresa, I not only learn skills and perspectives to help the client, but I always learn a lot about myself as well. Despite my previous mental health clinician education, I had never been in a class like this, one that delved into the role of spirituality, in all its forms and diversities, and its role in the helping relationship. Learning how to navigate this difficult subject in a loss and grief session, is really invaluable, and can build trust, helping the client to a deeper self-discovery. And no one is better equipped to teach this than Teresa Wagner, a teacher of great vision. All of Teresa’s classes are really in-depth, and to me, are on a graduate studies level, yet with her unique way of presenting the material, it is always an enjoyable, lively adventure. And being able to discuss back and forth with the other attendees adds an extra dimension for me, getting all of their very interesting perspectives as well. I am looking forward to the next class!

I always knew that the whole spirituality / religion thing was a touchy issue. And I try to navigate the conversation in the helping relationship as best as I can, but I have really learned to fine-tune this process, thru this class. I learned that there are subtle comments I sometimes make to bereaved people, however innocently, ( ” he is in a better place,” etc. ) that might be offensive or dis-empowering to a person, be it within the counseling context or just talking socially to acquaintances. I learned in this class that we all have ‘filters’, ( our own personal belief systems ) that we, sometimes with thinking, impose on others, thru a single well-meaning comment, regarding loss and grief, that could be discordant to another person.

This class about spirituality in pet loss grief counseling was really eye-opening for me.It gave me solid, useful, step-by-step instruction as to how to approach this issue with the client. I learned further how to develop a safe place for the client to explore what is really meaningful to them, in terms of their own spirituality, helping them find what is important, what is grounding to them. All the while, maintaining an atmosphere of great respect for them, in a non-judgmental context. We were given ideas on how to pose questions, what statements to open with, that can really be very helpful, non-threatening, and encourage dialogue and healing for the client.

Learning about those subtle ‘filters’ we all have and how to turn them off while in a session….also the step by step instructions on appropriate questions, phrases, that Teresa modeled for us, that will encourage discussion rather than accidentally shutting things down. And the movie clips were useful to me, too, where I very quickly learned things about my own feelings about loss, death and spirituality and the rituals, etc. that would be important to me.

There were extremely in depth handouts…in fact, calling them ‘hand-outs’ is really giving them short shrift ! The 75+ pages of fascinating, well-presented, graduate-level instruction could have been a text-book in itself, not to mention the great resources and book lists in the back pages. A stellar experience !

By watching the clips, doing the exercises, I really learned a lot about myself regarding my own spirituality and what rituals are important to me. And the case studies and modeling were very helpful in visualizing what to do and what not to do, in a helping relationship, in this spirituality context. Reading about this is very helping, but seeing it ‘in action” in a modeling situation or case study is very powerful.

I am so glad to have met Teresa! I have visited her website for 15 years and always saw her as one of the few people I have ever encountered who loves animals as much as I do. And her concern, love and respect for all creatures is so apparent in her website, even to people who don’t know her. When the time was right, recently, I took the plunge and joined in her class experience and its been really amazing. Her love and respect for all mankind, animals and people, is so apparent and I can’t think of anyone else that I would want to learn from at this point in my life.

People can take ‘classes’ in any university, as I have done, but I don’t think they are going to have the fascinating experience they will have taking a class from Teresa. Her particular grasp of spirituality, understanding of psychology, love of animals and vast experience in the field of animal communications, makes her uniquely qualified to offer classes that, in my estimation, can’t be found any where else.
~ Mary Jane H, Florida 

Objectives

In this class you will have an opportunity to:

• Become familiar with an accurate definition and understanding of euthanasia as it relates to companion animals
• Explore the factors involved in our approach to end of life options and preparation for the death of an animal loved one
• Examine factors that contribute to or distract from quality of life for animals nearing death
• Empower yourself by learning how to review the practical decisions involved in choosing euthanasia for our animals, reflect upon these issues and make plans as far ahead of the euthanasia as possible within your circumstances
• Learn how we can shape a euthanasia experience that will bring us closer to our beloved animals and make their passing a time of deep honor and connection
• Increase your awareness of typical protocols for euthanasia used in private veterinary practices, primarily as they refer to cats and dogs
• Acquire an understanding of the stages of the process of physical death that occur with euthanasia, including what you may witness
• Examine potential triggers for judgements and misunderstandings that may arise from our own assumptions and beliefs when working with clients whose animals will be or have been euthanized, and importance of keeping such personal triggers out of client interactions
• Increase your understanding of the perspectives, experiences and challenges of veterinary professionals who perform euthanasia
• Become familiar with resources beyond this class to help both practitioners and companion animal guardians

Content and Purpose

From Windi Wojdak, RVT, Class Instructor:

For some of us, the mere thought of the day when we will lose our beloved animals to physical death is so full of dread and fear that we avoid any discussion or delay any planning for the possibility of euthanasia. Our own fears of death and loss can impact our ability to make the best choices for the animals in our care. Fear of the unknown can be a tremendous source of grief and can lead us to make decisions surrounding our animals’ dying that we later regret. By facing our fears and questions before we are confronted with the trauma of an ailing loved one, we can better consider the choices and decisions we may need to make, including animal euthanasia. Taking the time to develop plans or make changes that can lessen the sense of chaos and confusion can make our parting a time of shared love and connection.

In the right time and circumstances, providing a peaceful release for an ailing companion through euthanasia can be a powerful demonstration of love and respect. Education about the process of animal euthanasia can help us prevent surprises and minimize discomfort, stress or shock that can be part of the experience for humans saying goodbye to their animal companions. Advanced planning and consideration of our own questions, concerns, fears and beliefs about animal euthanasia can help us to make more informed decisions and create the best death experience possible for our animals when a choice for euthanasia has been made. If we are able to move past our own fears, euthanasia can become a sacred act and a time of powerful connection.  

It is very important to consider how our own needs and perceptions factor in to potential care decisions. It can be helpful to take some time to think about our relationship to death and dying, and to consider our underlying beliefs about animal euthanasia.  When facing the death of our own cherished animal, this information can help us to shape an experience that will bring us closer to our companion and make their passing a time of deep honor and connection.  When working with clients or others, a clear understanding of our own assumptions and beliefs can help us to remain clear and identify areas that may be triggers for judgment or misunderstanding.

While any discussion of death or dying will necessarily touch on our emotional and spiritual needs at this time, this course will focus primarily on the practical physical considerations regarding animal euthanasia with the goal of helping participants become more comfortable evaluating the options for their own animals, and, supporting clients or others in making end-of-life decisions for their companion animals.

You may also be interested in related classes on Animal Hospice and Using Flower Essences for Illness, End-of-Life and Caregiver Stress.

Testimonials

This class has a lot of tools that can be used to help others
Just having a class on euthanasia has helped. It’s been a lonely experience in the past as I’ve had to go alone and didn’t have family or friends that were understanding or supportive. This class has a lot of tools that can be used to help others. The process, knowing that in the excitement stage the animal isn’t conscious or in pain, the use of pain shots or sedative shots to help. The ways to spend time with the pet and honor the relationship. Also knowing that it’s hard for the vet and staff.  I’ve gained more compassion for the vet and how difficult it can be for them. Every question was well answered and explanations were easy to understand even though I’m not a vet tech.
~ Linda K, California

Windi is a knowledgeable and compassionate presence, thank you!
Very valuable class. The class was helpful in its scope of the subject of euthanasia, and, as a practicing animal communicator, I know the information given will be very useful in supporting animals and especially their people through what is often a difficult, stressful, and sad time. Most significant learning for me was what happens physically with euthanasia and the importance of good communication with the vet. Windi is a knowledgeable and compassionate presence, thank you!
~ Carla S, California

So many fine details in one class
This class was the first time I had heard the details of euthanasia. I appreciated Windi’s eloquence in describing the various aspects of the process, including one’s own belief system, physical capability of caregiver, and so many fine details in one class.

 As soon as I completed the mp3 recordings and study of the outline, a client called to ask me to communicate with her dog about euthanasia vs. continued “pawspice” [hospice care] that she has been providing. She had broken down, felt guilty, felt incapable of continuing, and all of those things that Windi covered. I was so prepared to answer questions and help her understand some options, as well as to address her ‘burnout’. Thank you, thank you.
~ Judy R, Michigan

Between the written information and all she talked about, I now have a totally different view of euthanasia
This is such a hard topic to think about and discuss. I admit that I almost didn’t sign up but then felt I owed it to myself, my own animals and my clients to learn everything I could. When my own animals have been euthanized, it’s always been so emotional that it was hard to take in the technical, medical information. So I signed up and am very grateful that I did. Windi is a powerhouse of information and experience. Between the written information and all she talked about, I now have a totally different view of euthanasia. Thank you!
~ Tracy C, Pennsylvania

I am so much more prepared
What was in the past something so hard for me that I don’t think I was there adequately for my animals, now seems more like a normal, if still heartbreaking, part of life with my animals. I am so much more prepared, both with knowledge and emotionally.
~ Ingrid C, Iowa

Feel so much more confident to be able to support my animals, myself and my clients
This class has not only helped me personally, but has prepared me with so much knowledge to help my clients during these times. I now feel so much more confident to be able to support my animals, myself and my clients with this greater understanding of the process. Very powerful class!
~ Sidni M, California

Objectives

In this class you will have an opportunity to:

• Acquire a thorough understanding of animal hospice as comfort versus curing, the difference between home hospice care and hospice sanctuaries, and hospice guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
• Learn why it is a myth that hospice care precludes making a choice for euthanasia at any point in the hospice journey
• Gain practical tips from a veterinarian hospice specialist about how to become more comfortable with physical aspects of home hospice care such as administering medications, giving subcutaneous fluids and other specialized care that animals in late or end stages of life may need
• Discover the meaning of “joy therapy” and the value of providing it for our animals during their time of hospice
• Become familiar with a veterinarian hospice specialist’s perspective of specific helpful actions we can take for our animals during the time of hospice that are helpful, and those that are not helpful
• Learn ways to work constructively with your animal’s veterinarian during this emotional and stressful time
• Increase your awareness of the benefits of proactively managing, coordinating and documenting information received from all service providers on your team of professionals who are helping your animal
• Learn from the stories of real people and animals about their hospice journeys, including the challenges of dealing with our emotions and fears, how to not project our fears onto our animals, dealing with doubts about decisions and the stress and heartbreak of anticipating euthanasia
• Learn practical strategies to deal with pressures and judgements from others about our choices during this challenging time, such as if and when to euthanize, whether to go through with expensive treatments, use holistic remedies and treatments, etc.
• Recognize the importance of balancing the needs of your animal, the needs of the relationship, and your own needs, and suggested ways to do so
• Become familiar with resources beyond this class to help both yourself and your animal during the challenging time of hospice

Content and Purpose:

At the first indication of a serious health condition with our animals, we often gear ourselves into action to find and provide the best possible care for them. It is often a time of exploring every potential treatment known for the condition, a time of moving all energies toward physical healing. It is a time of hope. In the instances when the time comes that it is clear that our animal’s condition will not heal and is terminal, we are then presented with the painful challenge to surrender to what we cannot change—that our beloved animal will die. This time of animal hospice can feel like a time of helplessness.

This shift from providing the best possible quality of life to the best possible quality of end-of-life care is an essential one that our animals deserve. However, it compels us to face our own pain rather than run from it. Perhaps, this is the emotional core of hospice for us: acceptance versus resistance of the impending death of our loved one, and acceptance versus resistance of our own emotional pain of anticipatory grief. This energy of acceptance gently and significantly reduces emotional suffering and invites in the presence of peace and grace during the time of animal hospice. It opens the door for what Dr. Karen Randall of Solace Veterinary Hospice calls moments of “joy therapy” for every day that we have left with our animals.

It can be hard to come to such acceptance and to not be overwhelmed by our anticipatory grief. Preparing to say goodbye to someone we profoundly love is not easy. We all need loving support and practical assistance during these times. In this class you will receive guidance for both practical issues of physical care and the emotional and spiritual aspects of providing hospice care for your animal loved ones. You’ll learn specific guidelines and practical tips to help you through the sacred time of hospice with your beloved animal and hear stories about real people and animals and the animal hospice journeys they have experienced.

You may also benefit from the related classes on Flower Essences for Illness, End-of-Life, Caregiver Stress and Healing Grief and Understanding  and Preparing for Euthanasia.

Testimonials

Very impressed with class!

This animal hospice class was extremely informative from all perspectives. I took it mainly because because I have had to say good bye to five of my best friends. I had no idea about animal hospice and I wanted to know more about exactly what, who, where, etc. was involved. I was very impressed with the overall class!
~ Kathy S. Oregon


Very compassionate and gentle guidance

So timely for me, and Kristin, Carol and Teresa all provided very compassionate and gentle guidance to navigate these very difficult and emotional waters. It was just what I was hoping for. It is the perfect class for someone who has just had a close animal friend transition or is about to have one do so. It gives you some of the medical options and things to keep in mind as well as how to deal with it on both an emotional and spiritual level.
~ Ellie G, Madison, Connecticut



Would definitely recommend to others
I would definitely recommend this class to others. The most positive experience was listening to Dr. Randall because I am hoping to get into animal hospice work and possibly open a hospice in my area.
~ Veronica M, Florida


I now have support, knowledge and tools to help me

I feel so much more prepared now for when the hospice time comes for my animals. I thought hospice was a “place” and now understand it is a philosophy of care. I don’t look forward to the day when this comes for my little ones, but I feel I now have support, knowledge and tools to help me. Thank you!
~ Olivia A, New Mexico


Insightful, compassionate, honest, and helpful

I especially enjoyed part 2 from the animals perspective. I am a animal Reiki practitioner as well as a person who has had to make some tough decisions recently regarding my animal companions passing. I found the class to be extremely helpful. It was very informative, understanding, insightful, compassionate, honest, and helpful.  Highly recommend.
~ Winifred P, New York

Now I am not so scared

I feel SO much more prepared for the next time I face one of my animals dying. Of course I dread it. I think we all do, but now I am not so scared. I will always be sad and grief stricken, but now I just feel so much more of an understanding of what I can do for both my animals and myself during these times. Dr. Randall, Kristin, Carol and Teresa were all in their own way so helpful to all I learned. I liked the panel discussion method. They all had varying experiences which enriched my learning. Thank you!
~ Susan S, California

I can’t thank you enough for this class

I thought animal hospice meant you would never use euthanasia, even if your animal was in terrible pain. I was very relieved to learn that this is not the case. I learned so much from Dr. Randall and the others. I also learned so much about how we can, and should, listen to our animals during these times, and to trust that because of our bond, if we are quiet and trust ourselves, we will know, we will somehow sense, what out animals want. I can’t thank you enough for this class.
~ Amy F, Maryland

Objectives

In this four-session class you will have an opportunity to:

• Learn how to take care of yourself with appropriate boundaries when helping others
• Raise your awareness of the specific ethics involved in providing grief support
• Build a thorough conceptual understanding of grief, including disenfranchised and complicated grief, the variety of factors which influence the healing of grief, and state-of-the-art theories of healing grief
• Examine your personal, inner motivations to help others and learn how these impact your effectiveness in 
supporting those who grieve
• Learn the core grief support skills of empathic inquiry and response, the appropriate use of self disclosure and spirituality when supporting the bereaved, the important dynamics of primary and secondary grievers
• Assess your grief support style as primarily enmeshed, detached, or empathic and well boundaried, and what may be needed
 to bring it to balance
• Identify very specific do’s and don’ts when supporting those grieving from pet loss
• Increase your knowledge of and access to a wide range of resources for both your own continuing education about pet loss grief support and to pass onto  clients

Content and Purpose

This class is designed to help you build, refresh or reaffirm your abilities to effectively support others who are grieving the loss of an animal loved one—to help them through their pain and healing process with both tender compassion and the use of specific skills. The class is a primer of the important basics of grief support. Some of the material in the class is revisited in far more depth in the Essential Counseling Skills class and other required and elective classes in the certification program. This repetition of principles and skills is an intentional aspect of the curriculum for optimal learning. However, this class on helping others with pet loss serves on its own in teaching the basic principles and skills of effective grief support.

Effectively and lovingly offering support to someone through the challenge of grief can make a huge, positive difference in that person’s healing journey. When another being truly cares, understands, and acknowledges the depth of our loss, our path is lighter. When the truth of a painful and difficult loss is acknowledged, we know we are not alone. When we are understood, healing feels much more possible. Almost anyone seeing another in emotional pain wants to help. Yet, seeing or hearing someone in great anguish can also be overwhelming and intimidating. We may feel awkward or unsure about what to say or do. Learning how to effectively help others who grieve the loss of a beloved animal requires far more than feeling sympathy. It also requires specific skills.

Sometimes in attempts to help, friends, family and even professional counselors, healers or authors will impose their beliefs about what we should do or believe or need, thinking that their own paradigms of animal death and grief will be relevant and helpful to everyone. For those who are grieving, this intentional or unconscious imposing gets in the way of them discovering for themselves what they believe or need, and what will work for them. It can also add anger and frustration for being “imposed upon” instead of listened to for those living in an already stressful time of grief.

The most empowering things we can do to help others with pet loss is to learn to be truly present with their suffering: to listen, not advise; to judiciously and gently suggest possibilities, not impose our beliefs as fact–and to do so sparingly and only after offering enough empathy that it is clear to them that we understand and have listened to their story and their thoughts and feelings; to be with them as they find their own way, not judge, push or prod them in the way we think they should grow. To be truly present with someone’s pain without feeling a need to fix it, reconcile it, or recoil from it is one of the most powerful gifts we can give another. It requires patience, discernment of what to say when, skills of empathic expression, and great respect for the wisdom of the other’s journey.

These delicate, subtle yet powerful grief support skills can be learned and integrated into our practices as animal communicators, healers, veterinary professionals, shelter professionals and others who are with those who lose their beloved animals. This four session teleclass offers an introduction to these skills and ideas as well as an overview of a grief healing process.

For more classes on helping others with pet loss, you might want to explore: Essential Counseling Skills and Pet Loss Support Groups

Testimonials

Detailed information in a usable format
Teresa did a wonderful job at providing very detailed information in a usable format that I could understand and apply.
~ Lori W, CA

Thought provoking, deep, engaging, and encouraging
Teresa did a wonderful job of giving us examples of how to be supportive in helping others with pet loss and at the same time taking care of our own needs. This was thought provoking, deep, engaging, and encouraging. I got to know myself better as well as learned new skills to help others. Teresa is obviously very experienced in the area of counseling and in grief support. I couldn’t imagine a better teacher!
~ Anne B.

Further validated how I feel in my own grief process
It further validated not only how I feel in my own grief process—but also reinforced what I have learned so far about grief counseling. It was good to have the handouts to refer back to as well as add notes around specific concepts. The way Teresa responds back to someone who is either grieving or the way they responded to a question is very “normalizing”. It’s easy to see her use the techniques that are taught in class.
~Holli S, Virginia

Highly recommend
I would highly recommend this class for anyone searching for ways to be there for persons going through grief, not just over the loss of their animal.
~ Jan E, KS

Teresa was so loving and compassionate in her delivery
A true role model for all of us. I eagerly looked forward to each and every class. ”
~ Alice P, TX

Highly recommend
I feel so much more confident to help someone thru a loss and to deal with some of my own grief I’ve buried. I would highly recommend this class.
~ Terra K, IL

A privilege to listen to Teresa speak on this subject
All sessions were extremely enjoyable and informative. It was a privilege to listen to Teresa speak on this subject. Her compassion, empathy, sensitivity and beautiful energy came across vividly, and served to remind me that the most important thing in this work is not the words, tools and techniques used, but the genuine heartfelt caring expressed. Handouts were fabulous! Well presented, and lots of clear, concise, thought-provoking useful info.
~ Pat S, Ontario

One of the best classes I’ve taken
This class should be required for life!! Huge amount of wonderful information to help you be a sensitive and loving person for someone who is experience loss. This was one of the best classes I’ve taken yet.
~Penny W, WI

I look forward to more classes
I LOVE Teresa. . . she just makes everything so easy even in a difficult situation. I look forward to more classes of hers.
~ Dana L, CA

Teresa has a fantastic ability to teach
She takes the thought-provoking topics involved in helping others with pet loss and presents them in a straightforward fashion. Her ability to mix humor into her presentation of a serious subject is outstanding! She paces content and delivers it at an appropriate level for all to understand. Responds well to questions posed.
~ Davidene T, MT

Objectives:

In this four-session healing pet loss workshop you will have an opportunity to:

• Honor your animals by memorializing their life story and your relationship, in both images and words
• Acknowledge and express the fullness and truth of your love for your animal, and the full experience of your loss
• Increase your understanding of disenfranchised grief and complicated grief
  and how they may be effecting your healing
• Explore the implications of how your personality type effects your grief process, how to allow yourself permission to experience and express your grief with your natural personality preferences, and how to deflect pressure from others who expect you to express your grief from their personality preference lens.
• Increase your understanding about how unresolved grief from the past influences current loss
• Complete self-assessments regarding the physical impact of loss, the wide range of normal emotional reactions to loss, and how cultural and gender expectations spiritual beliefs may be impacting your grief
• Learn a model of conscious grief healing that supersedes the limited and outdated stages of grief model
• Learn the difference between coping and healing, why you need both, and practical tools for both
• Practice techniques to calm overwhelming feelings such as guilt, anguish and depression to bring
  relief from suffering
• Identify the mutual gifts and lessons of the relationship—the legacies left to us by our animals which transcend physical death—and ways to integrate these into our way of being
• Identify and embrace any lessons and growth emerging from the loss itself

Content and Purpose:

Those of us who are blessed to love and be loved by animals know the unparalleled joy and fulfillment that comes from animals living in our hearts and lives. Once we experience a profoundly deep connection with animals, there is no turning back. Animals and their love stay in our souls, once we’ve let them in. And we are better for it, more complete, more whole, more compassionate, and often transformed. In loving so much, we open ourselves to an exquisite, rewarding intimacy, but also to inevitable searing pain when we lose them. When our deeply beloved animals die, the hole left in our hearts and in our physical lives can be devastating. Our hearts break with the heaviness of grief. We may feel empty, as if we are no longer whole, but somehow fractured. The knowledge, information, insights and guidance in this healing workshop will help you restore your sense of wholeness.

To face our grief and work through it in order to heal is an act of courage. We need support to garner this courage to journey through such loss.

This in-depth yet very personal workshop was designed to enable your courage and to bring you loving support and practical tools to help you heal your heart and experience greater peace. As a participant in this class, you will be gently and lovingly provided with an opportunity to express your grief, understand your grief, explore many strategies to cope with and heal your grief, and identify and find comfort from the mutual gifts and lessons of the relationship—the legacies that transcend physical death.

Though the class encompasses the concepts from the audio book Legacies of Love™, there is far more opportunity through the numerous and diverse exercises and presentation of material in the class to receive practical and more in-depth help for the the healing of your heart.

You may be interested in this additional on demand teleclass if you are anticipating the loss of your beloved animal: Animal Hospice from the Perspective of the Veterinarian, Animals and Their People

Testimonials

I got a much better sense of how I can help myself reconcile feelings of guilt, and still honor my animal’s soul and life
The material from this healing pet loss workshop will be read over and over again….as needed! The exercises were general enough to be applicable to everyone and to whatever stage of grieving we are at, yet specific enough to allow us to make them personal. The handouts were great, including the outline at the beginning and end of each set – this helped provide a sense of where all the information fits. Various quotes were thoughtfully placed throughout, and they were very appropo for the material. I got a much better sense of how I can help myself reconcile feelings of guilt, and still honor my animal’s soul and life. I also got a much deeper understanding of the word and meaning of “legacy”. Teresa presented all of this with such love and sincerity. She is in a class all of her own, and is a very special gift to all of us and the animals of this planet. I cannot say enough good about this class. Teresa is very gifted and intelligent, a rare combination. I loved every bit of what she taught, and I am still digesting a lot of it. 8 yrs after losing my cat, I still continue to process and learn.   

~ Alison K, Maryland

I found a level of healing that I don’t think I would have gotten to without the class. 
I appreciated the complete honoring of animals and animal loss as equal to human loss. This provided a framework to go deeply into the exercises and my own grief. I learned about layers underlying the emotional pain that I have felt since the losses. Some I was somewhat aware of, others were just barely conscious. The class brought me clarity about areas that I need to work on for myself. And it gave me a chance to honor these wonderful animals in new ways and see all of the amazing gifts they brought to me.  The exercises gave me a new perspective on grief, new ideas and language for looking at the healing that I need to do. I think especially helpful were the exercises on looking at unresolved issues from the past and looking at things my animals gave me that I want to learn to give myself.   

~ Lesley H, Vermont

I’ve gained tools to handle current and future grief
This class helped me to understand what it is to actually do grief work and not to be passive, stuff it and just wait for the intense pain to subside. I can also see how past grief has hindered me and ways to resolve the grief I’ve never faced. Hearing the issues others in the class have faced and feelings they have helped me to know that I’m not alone, not weird. Also I’ve gained hope about the life my past fur family members are still alive in spirit and that I can still get in touch with them if needed and for comfort. I have felt supported and able to express the pain and feelings I’ve had. I would also love to repeat this class in the future. I’ve gained tools to handle current and future grief. Things I liked most about the class were expressing myself in the heart paintings, the support of Teresa, the beauty of how others honored their pets, seeing the diversity of the species that were so loved and knowing that love doesn’t have a species limit, that love is love, and the feeling of peace that I found even though it’s painful to work through the process. Hearing how others connected with lost pets and the hope that I can possibly be sure of a future connection with Ben and other loved pets I’ve lost.  

~ Linda K, California

It helped me sort out appropriate and inappropriate guilt and helped me to release some of it
One the things of lasting value to me from this class is realizing how much I gave my animals and working through my feelings surrounding my loss. Parts that were most helpful: The Loss History Graph was eye-opening for me. Feelings I was not consciously aware of came up for healing. The questions to ask yourself when you’re feeling guilty were helpful to me. It helped me sort out appropriate and inappropriate guilt and helped me to release some of it. The What I’m Creating part of the last exercise helped me to find my voice.  The organization of the handouts was helpful and presentation in small doses, so no one part or exercise overwhelmed you. Use of art to express feelings was helpful. The use of personal stories to illustrate concepts was helpful.

~ Evelyn G, North Carolina

What a healing pet loss workshop experience! Amazing. Embracing. Loving. Enlightening. Never to be forgotten.
Teresa Wagner has a gift, which she is generous enough to share with the world. Not only does she convey love through her words, but through her voice and her mannerisms (yes, by phone). I was blessed to have had her come into my life. I know that I have much more work to do, but she put me on a wonderful path.   
~ Marlene B, New York

A very supportive space for exploring the pain of the loss and the possibilities of healing.
Teresa was wonderful and gave us excellent material to work on. She presents a wonderful balance of the emotional material and the spiritual material which is difficult to find anywhere else. It definitely provided a very supportive structure for me to begin healing around the loss of my beloved dog. It was too much for me to work on emotionally in the 4 weeks (while also having a challenging job) but it definitely gave a material to work on as I complete my process in my own time. The meditations Teresa let were wonderful. It was also wonderful to hear others share their stories. I liked the idea of imagining my dog talking about what gifts she had received from me.  
~ Sonia L, Virginia

I was grateful to participate
It was a beautiful experience to be with each other’s grief process and use some of the tools that Teresa offered us, along with the energetic support of the group. In the part on healing the deepest wounds, some of the work in the handout really helped me reveal a few core components of the grief. Having that aha experience was both a release and a relief. I was grateful to participate. I got to honor my own companions who have passed, along with being able to listen to, feel and honor the others in the group and their relationships. The most positive experience of this class was being with Teresa’s loving, compassionate presence.  
~ Julie C, Michigan

Content and Purpose:

Have you ever felt worn out or overwhelmed with your work in helping others? Have you ever struggled with boundaries in client relationships? Have you ever faced an ethical dilemma in your role as a helper or as a client and wondered what the ethics of pet loss grief counseling really are? Have you ever been told you are “too sensitive” for your own good? Most of us in professional helping roles have faced these issues at one time or another. This class provides strategies for these issues with discussions, shared ideas and stories, case studies, hands-on exercises and numerous handouts.

Many of us began our work in the helping professions—whether in counseling, animal communication, grief support or other healing arts—deeply motivated by love, compassion and a genuine heart-felt desire to serve. While this provides a profoundly important foundation, it is not enough. If we don’t also consciously develop and use energetic boundaries and the ethics of pet loss grief counseling in our work, we can inadvertently undermine the effectiveness and quality of the help we offer others and also become depleted ourselves.

The practice of consciously using energetic boundaries and protection is one of the most vital and primary areas of competency needed to do any work in the helping professions, and to do the work well without becoming burned out, and without violating the boundaries and ethics of pet loss grief counseling–even unwittingly.

This class provides an in-depth opportunity to examine and explore how both the ethics of pet loss grief counseling and energetic boundaries can be applied in our work to provide clients with a sense of safety, trust and optimum opportunities for healing and growth, and to provide ourselves with energetic preparedness to offer our knowledge and skills with clarity, without bias (including unconscious bias), and with greater ability to be fully present with the stories, pain and trauma of clients with reduced risk of burnout and compassion fatigue.

Participants in this class have an opportunity to:

• Learn methods of energetic protection to be able to remain fully open-hearted and compassionate when working with clients without taking in their pain and energy—which reduces the risks of secondary traumatization (compassion fatigue) and burnout.
• Increase understanding about the full nature of “being sensitive”—that it is normal, it is healthy and is a gift that must be handled with continual, conscious care if it is to be enjoyed by those who possess it and used effectively to help others.
• Develop a clear understanding of the dynamics and negative impact of filtering and projection; and learn tools to prevent inappropriate, and often unconscious, filtering and projecting of our own beliefs, ideas and values onto clients.
• Explore the core ethics of the helping professions, with particular attention to the context of ethics of pet loss grief counseling, as a tool to bridge the gap between our intention to serve with integrity and professionalism and specific guidelines of how to do that.
• Build our awareness of how to set boundaries regarding the logistics and decisions of how we work, when we work, and with whom we work.

To learn more about the ethics of pet loss grief counseling and energetic boundaries, read the Code of Ethics and Underlying Principles of this program.

Testimonials

Everyone should take this class!!
It has changed my whole outlook and opened up my eyes to see how I can be effective for clients. Changed by whole business outlook. Everyone should take this class!!
~ Diane D, Kingston, MA

A good reminder to be more protected while in a helping role
Very, very good class on boundaries and ethical practices A good reminder to be more protected while in a helping role. Very helpful to look at the individual examples of exercises and case studies.
~ Lori P, Cloverdale, CA

Class has given me ideas to strengthen my boundaries with love
It’s a very unique class and addresses so much. I have enjoyed clarifying many grey areas. 
Boundaries has been a biggie for me as I work with people and they start to see me as a “friend” then I feel guilty if I can’t enable that friendship like I am hurting them. The class has given me ideas to strengthen my boundaries with love from the beginning. Thank you!
~ Narel W, Tomerong NSW, Australia

The class was magnificent
The written materials were so filled with valuable information about boundaries and ethics of pet loss grief counseling and were very pleasing to the eye. Teresa’s soothing voice and meticulous holding of space brought me immense healing while I learned. Thank you so much for this big gift.
~ Jane S, Santa Maria, CA

Having done a lot of curriculum design, I was constantly aware of how beautifully conceived and implemented this course was
I received some wonderful training in the tools of my practice, but knew something was missing. This was it. Principles that I had grasped intuitively but not named became clear and therefore reliably accessible to me. I feel ready to embrace my work as a flower essence practitioner with fresh verve and confidence. As a college professor, I know how valuable “could have been better” comments are in fine-tuning a course. So I wish I had something to contribute. No luck there! Having done a lot of curriculum design, I was constantly aware of how beautifully conceived and implemented this course was. When students are learning happily and easily, you can bet that the instructor has spent countless hours and much deep and detailed thought to create the conditions that make learning seem easy. Teresa is a master teacher.

The Helping Practitioner’s Pyramid brings important principles together in an integrated way that can be called on right in the moment for guidance. Only two days after my first class, I was asked to help with a very serious and difficult decision about an animal’s health care. I brought the pyramid to my mind’s eye and referred to it repeatedly during the session. I found it to be an elegant and reliable guide which contributed considerably to the positive outcome of this conversation.

Doing the exercises in advance primed me for full participation in the class, allowing me to start mulling over issues and how they related to me so that I could take full advantage of the sessions. The case studies helped anchor the principles in real life, and will make it much easier to remember and apply the principles in the future.

Teresa is a trustworthy guide who practices the principles she teaches. She listened carefully to what participants had to say, honored our contributions and skillfully tied our input back to the principles she was teaching. She is a caring presence and skilled teacher.
~ Laurel B, Pasadena, CA




The class was very well prepared
The handouts were actually more complete and thorough and a great prep for each session, much more so than most of the nursing seminars I’ve attended that have cost more. There was a lot of time to hear comments and ask questions. Teresa was very generous with her time.
~ Kendra L, Los Angeles, CA

Excellent!
Teresa’s usual thoroughness and excellent organization made everything very digestible and clear. I got clarity on copyrights and use of materials.
~ Roberta J, Chelsea, MI

Great material. Wonderful handouts.
Excellent class Teresa! Great discussion. You outdid yourself again!!! I am so grateful for this experience!!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! I enjoy your classes so much! You are an excellent teacher and facilitator. And one of the most big-hearted most compassionate people I know. I am so grateful for you.
~ Lori K, Fallston, MD


The class was magnificent
The written materials were so filled with valuable information on boundaries and ethics of pet loss grief counseling and were very pleasing to the eye. Teresa’s soothing voice and meticulous holding of space brought me immense healing while I learned. Thank you so much for this big gift.
~ Jane S, Santa Maria, CA

I so admire your integrity in doing whatever it takes to get the information out, clearly and completely!
The material on boundaries has framed a couple of conversations with clients this week. Even when I know the material already, it helps (adds to the toolkit) to hear the way you put it. Thank you.
~ Rev. Nancy S, Hayward, CA