Workshop: The Heart of Pet Loss -Supporting Others and Caring for Yourself

Workshop Summary

Losing a beloved pet can be profoundly emotional — and supporting someone through that grief can be challenging, whether you’re a veterinary professional, grief counsellor, or friend.

The Heart of Pet Loss is a 4-hour live, online continuing education workshop.

Guided by Jennifer McCrae, CT — Thanatologist and Death Doula, this session offers an introduction to the compassionate skills and self-care practices used by Pet Death Doulas.

Participants will explore the emotional landscape of pet loss, learn to communicate with empathy, and discover strategies to support both clients and themselves during these deeply meaningful moments.

Important: This workshop does not provide the full scope of training or competency required to practice as a Pet Death Doula. It is an introduction only

What is a Pet Death Doula? They are a trained, non-medical professional who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to a pet and their family during the pet's final days, death, and aftermath

Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Full attendance is required for the entire session to receive the certificate.

A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Humane Society of Durham Region, Ontario

Hosted by the Canadian Healthcare Education Network

Questions? Contact us

email: Info@chenetwork.ca

phone: 437-564-0794

Once you register, closer to the event date, you will receive your zoom link for the event

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Visit our website and our current Death Doula Professional Certificate

What You’ll Learn

• The Psychology of the Human–Animal Bond

Why pet loss can be so profound and how to understand clients’ emotional responses.

• Supporting Clients Through Grief

Strategies for compassionate communication and empathetic care during end-of-life and euthanasia.

• Recognizing and Managing Compassion Fatigue

Practical tools to maintain emotional health within veterinary and care teams.

• Collaborating with Pet Death Doulas and Grief Specialists

Building networks of care and mutual support.

• Honouring Pets and Families

Rituals, memorials, and aftercare practices that celebrate the enduring human–animal connection.

Who should attend?

This workshop is ideal for:

• Members of the public who wish to support others through pet loss
• Individuals interested in exploring what it means to be a pet death doula
• Veterinarians and veterinary technicians
• Veterinary assistants and clinic staff
• Animal shelter staff and volunteers
• Pet service providers who may encounter pet loss in their work, such as groomers, breeders, trainers, and others
• Animal death doulas seeking to strengthen their practice while protecting their own well-being