We at Lollypop Farm truly understand the difficulty of losing a beloved pet, and how hard it can be to cope with loss. Sunday, September 13, was #NationalPetRemembranceDay. We reached out to our social media community asking followers to share photos and stories of a special friend they have lost, and we received 165 truly heartfelt responses.
Throughout the week that followed, we shared insight into one of the programs that always operates behind the scenes at Lollypop Farm but isn’t talked about very often – our End of Life Services Program. Keep reading to explore some of the facets of this program, all aimed at helping pets and people in our community during a particularly difficult time.
Memorializing a lost pet
We know how important it is to memorialize a lost friend.
In celebration of the human-animal bond, the Heart of Lollypop Love Courtyard near our main entrance features an artistic display of shining silver Celebration Tags, allowing supporters to pay tribute or memorialize that special someone. With a donation of $50, personalized messages are engraved on celebration tags, and proudly displayed in the courtyard. The purchase of a celebration tag also directly supports the care of homeless and abused pets at Lollypop Farm – truly a gift that goes on and on.
We also offer a number of options for memorializing a lost pet – from whimsical wind chimes to granite engravings, there are so many ways to share your love for a special friend.
Click here to create a Celebration Tag or learn more about ways to memorialize a lost friend.
Pet Loss Support Groups
As an organization of animal lovers, we know how important it is to grieve the loss of a pet and have a space to express feelings and emotions. That why we provide a free (now virtual) Pet Loss Support group every single month. These meetings provide a safe, supportive, and understanding environment for community members. “Getting Through the Grief: Living with Pet Loss,” is led by two volunteer facilitators and gives participants the opportunity to express feelings, share with others, and learn how to cope.
Learn more about our Pet Loss Support groups: https://www.lollypop.org/services/end-of-life-services/pet-loss-support-groups/
Humans of Lollypop: Lindsay Cooney
Lindsay Cooney is a member of our team here at Lollypop Farm that you may not have met before. She has a very important role as our Pet Loss Support Services Manager, helping grieving families deal with the loss of their pets, and what to do after they pass. Lindsay received her BA in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 2015. During her undergraduate study, she had the opportunity to work at Lexington Humane Society as an Animal Care Technician/Adoption Specialist. This sparked her interest in animal human relationships. A professor who knew of this interest informed her of the University of Tennessee’s offering of the Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program, and Lindsay graduated with her MSSW and VSW-CP in May of 2017 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Lindsay is an incredible resource to the team here at Lollypop Farm.
A safe place to grieve at Lollypop Farm
We know how difficult saying good-bye to a beloved pet can be. That is why Lollypop Farm offers a comfortable and peaceful space for families to grieve. Whether you are bringing a pet in to say good-bye or joining us for a Pet Loss Support Group, Lollypop Farm offers a compassionate team in a supportive environment during this difficult time. Our grieving room is a special, quiet place for peace and reflection, and we are happy to be able to provide this resource to families dealing with the loss of a beloved pet.
Learn more about End of Life Services at Lollypop Farm: www.lollypop.org/services/end-of-life-services
Questions? Please feel free to contact our End-of-Life Care Services Department at (585) 223-1330 x 210 or by email at petloss@lollypop.org.
