Before becoming a pet loss consultant, Claire was an entrepreneur working with some of the top Fortune 500 companies. Her shift in careers came after experiencing the death of her beloved dog, Sophie. It ignited a passion in her to help others who are experiencing that same grief from losing their beloved pets.

Support for Pet Lovers Experiencing Grief

One of the main reasons people work with Claire is because she empathizes with them, which makes it easier for her to guide them through their grief. She understands that everyone grieves differently and knows how to adapt her approach or each client.

Claire understands that grieving the loss of a pet can lead to depression and other mental health issues, but she also knows that there are ways to cope with grief and move forward in life.

By offering coaching sessions and resources for helping pet owners to heal, as well as the opportunity to say goodbye, Claire helps her clients find peace after experiencing the death of a pet.

Help for Animal Care Specialists (Veterinary Support)

Claire has a background in psychology, with an emphasis on grief and loss. She understands that while losing a pet can be a difficult experience for anyone, it can be particularly challenging for people who also work in the veterinary field. The two worlds overlap so much—the compassion for animals, the sense of being needed by them, the desire to help them… it makes working in the veterinarian field all the more meaningful when you have a personal connection to your patients.

But when you lose a pet patient yourself, it’s another story entirely. Your job suddenly becomes more than just work. It becomes personal. And when you lose a pet you’ve helped heal or care for—and who has become part of your life—the pain can be overwhelming and debilitating. You need help coping with that loss. She understands that you need someone who understands what you’re going through and can offer support through tough times.

Additional Services

Claire also offers a wide range of workshops, coaching programs, and customized support to help veterinary professionals find a work-life balance.

Topics include:

• Job Burnout
• Compassion Fatigue
• Stress Management
• Resilience Building

What a Coaching Session with Claire Looks Like

Pet loss 1-on-1 individual sessions

Individual sessions via zoom last 45 minutes. You are assured of a safe space to talk about how your pet’s death is affecting you. During sessions you can:

• Discover how to love yourself and others in a way that fills your heart instead of leaving it feeling empty
• Take a moment to consider your fears and past hurts, as well as any guilt you may feel. Reaffirm your commitment to caring for others
• Create a self-care plan that includes coping strategies as you face the unimaginable.

Anticipatory loss 1-on-1 individual sessions

Sessions are conducted via zoom for 45 minutes. During these sessions, you will learn how to:

• Prepare a checklist/plan for your pet’s quality of life during treatment
• Experience what self-care looks like when facing unimaginable circumstances
• Explore options for hospice care, pain management, and aftercare
• Make a plan for saying goodbye

For more about Claire Chew and to get in touch with her, go to https://clairechew.com/

About Animal Welfare Association (AWA)

Animal Welfare Association (AWA) is a private, non-profit organization located in South Jersey committed to eliminating animal suffering, promoting bonds between humans and animals, and supporting pets’ roles in people’s well-being. AWA relies on local donations for support and does not receive financial support from the government or other national organizations.

AWA Pet Services

AWA offers a wide array of services in several categories, from pet clinics and pet behavior and training classes to humane education opportunities designed to teach pet owners the proper care of pets and how to meet the needs of their pets while strengthening the bond between pets and their owners.

Some services include:

• Adoptions
• Low-cost pet clinics
• Spay and neuter clinics
• Pet training
• Pet therapy
• Vets on Wheels Program
• Pet Food Pantry for underserved locations

These services are designed to serve both pets and their owners, strengthening the bonds between humans and animals.

AWA also provides a wide assortment of educational resources ranging from re-homing an exotic pet to training your puppy to sit and stay at meals or how to walk on a leash. These articles are quick and easy to read while providing valuable information to pet owners.

AWA also works to help pet owners who may be struggling to keep their pets find ways to keep their pets safe and at home with them, such as providing free pet food for those in need. When necessary, AWA assists with re-homing efforts to ensure the pet is safe and well cared for.

AWA is a no-kill facility that works selflessly to find safe homes for abandoned pets. They do not euthanize pets due to lack of room, length of stay, or untreatable conditions.

Animal Welfare Association makes every effort to keep pet owners and pets united for the mutual benefit of both animals and humans. Its lofty goals are achieved by people like you who take the time to help.

AWA’s Program for Feral Cats

In addition to services for pet owners, AWA also has a trap-neuter-return program for feral cats. Feral cats differ from strays, as feral cats are born outside and spend their lives there. Although some may have been abandoned cats, they have become distrustful of humans and cannot be socialized to humans.

“Virtually 100% of feral cats who enter animal shelters are euthanized because they are not socialized to people and cannot be adopted,” says AWA.

Controlling the population of feral cats via spaying and neutering is vital to breaking the vicious breeding cycle that leads to uncontrolled numbers of feral cats living on their own.

They even provide educational articles on how to help feral cats in your area safely and how to trap feral cats for the trap-neuter-return program.

For more, check out these links:

• https://www.awanj.org/programs/pet-clinic/
• https://www.awanj.org/programs/spay-neuter/
• https://www.awanj.org/programs/trap-neuter-return/
• https://www.awanj.org/programs/vets-on-wheels/

How to Help AWA

AWA has many volunteer opportunities and accepts donations in a range of formats, from one-time donations to signing up for their monthly giving program.

You can also help them by purchasing items from the AWA store or donating needed food or supplies found on their supply list.

You can even host a fundraiser event to help raise money for AWA. This is an excellent opportunity to elicit community involvement and bring AWA’s needs to light. Check their website for ways they can assist you with your fundraiser.

Final Thoughts on Animal Welfare Association

Whether you are a pet owner looking for services for affordable, quality services for your pet or you are an animal lover looking for ways to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them, AWA has plenty to offer you.

To learn more about Animal Welfare Association, visit them at https://www.awanj.org/

Follow them on social media:

• AWA on Facebook
• AWA on Twitter
• AWA on Instagram