Little Losses Everywhere (and some big ones too)
Little Losses Everywhere (and some big ones too)
Podcast Description
Compassionate and insightful conversation about Love, Loss, and Life Beyond Life with Dr. Jan Lundy and Guests
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast addresses themes such as creative expression in grief, the process of opening to grief, and non-death losses. For example, an episode discusses how creative methods help in mourning, while another explores the societal aspects of grief. Focus areas also include the transformative power of grief, self-care during loss, and the definition of various forms of creative expression that aid in processing feelings.
Compassionate and insightful conversation about Love, Loss, and Life Beyond Life with Dr. Jan Lundy and Guests
In today's episode we're talking about the grief that accompanies pet loss. Both of Jan's guests are Animal Chaplains, so that is where our conversation begins. We will learn what an Animal Chaplain does and what roles they play. Animal chaplains provide support for both animals and humans by using ritual, ceremony, and the tools of spiritual companionship. We learn how they may serve families during times of pet loss; provide support and spiritual care in animal shelters, with animal rescues, veterinary offices, and with wildlife. Being present at end-of-life (supporting the pet, the family or both,) or helping plan rituals and lead memorials for deceased pets, are other ways they serve. Listen in as we hear how Kathleen Opon and Marshall Hammer have turned their love of our furry friends into meaningful service. Their wise counsel affirms for us the growing need for Animal Chaplains as we come to better understand our mutual and sacred relationship with all living things.
For further information on Animal Chaplaincy training, visit the Compassion Consortium online. https://www.compassionconsortium.org/training
To find an Animal Chaplain, visit this registry: FindAnimalChaplain.com
Guests:
Kathleen Opon has maintained and nurtured a deep spiritual connection with animals, especially cats, throughout her spiritual life. This led her to become an Ordained Interspiritual Animal Chaplain with Advanced Certification in Animal Theology and Interspecies Animal Chaplaincy Services. Currently Kathleen uses her Animal Chaplaincy skills at NAWS Humane Society, where she volunteers as a Cat Adoption Counselor, Cat Behavior and Retention Counselor and a Cat Care Volunteer, specializing in more difficult cats needing more intense socialization work. Kathleen is also an Ordained Spiritual Care Giver through the Inayatiyya Sufi Order, A Certified Interspiritual Spiritual Guide and Grief Companion, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Rev. Marshall K. Hammer is an ordained interfaith minister, spiritual director, and Reiki Practitioner, and the founder of Befriend Your Grief, a 12-week program for survivors of suicide loss. She lost her father to suicide and has spent the years since companioning others through the same terrain — as a former board member of the NC Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and as facilitator of a free local support group for five years. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit her website: https://befriendyourgrief.com/
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