"Good Grief" with Wendy Van de Poll, Pet Loss & Grief Coach
Isabel does her very best to keep this week's show upbeat and fun, while broaching one of the most important pet-related topics there is: pet loss and grief. Isabel talks to Wendy Van de Poll, Pet Loss & Grief Coach, about the ways in which loving and caring for our pets creates a bond unlike any other. Both agree that sharing our lives with our companion animals fulfills us and gives us purpose. Yet, no matter who we are or how much we love our pets, we will all be faced with the inevitable loss of our pets and the pain and grief that unfortunately follows.
This episode aims to help pet parents know what to expect of the grief that follows a terminal diagnosis or traumatic death, how pet lovers can create a new normal after their loss, and rituals they can include in their mourning period and beyond.
In the effort to keep things as fun as always, Isabel invites Wendy to play some games. The first, Say it or Leave it, was crowdsourced from Isabel's audience and covers what loved ones should and should not say when speaking to a grieving pet parent. The second, Good Grief, for which the episode is named, uncovers famous quotes about grief and who said them. Second time guest, Wendy Van de Poll, aces the games and gives pet parents lots of important insights on how to best navigate their loss, from expectation setting to seeking out professional assistance in the healing process.
BIO:
Wendy Van de Poll is a pioneering leader in the field of pet loss grief support. She is dedicated to providing a safe place for her clients to express their grief over the loss of their pets.
What makes Wendy successful with her clients is that she get’s grief! “Over the years I’ve dealt with my own grief and helping many families communicate and connect with their pets long after their loss. It’s what I’ve done since I was just 5 yrs old!”
She is compassionate and supportive to all who know her.
Her passion is to help people when they are grieving over the loss of a pet and her larger than life love for animals has led her to devote her life to the mission of increasing the quality of life between animals and people no matter what stage they are in their cycle of life! She has been called the animal whisperer.
She is a Certified End of Life and Pet Grief Support Coach, Certified Pet Funeral Celebrant, Animal Medium and Communicator. She is the founder of The Center for Pet Loss Grief and an international best selling and award-winning author and speaker.
She holds a Master’s of Science degree in Wolf Ecology and Behavior and has run with wild wolves in Minnesota, coyotes in Massachusetts and foxes in her backyard. She lives in the woods with her husband, two crazy birds, her rescue dog Addie and all kinds of wildlife.