Santa Ana support group for mourning pet lovers begins on September 20

Support group for mourning pet lovers begins September 20

SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 07, 2016 – Back by popular demand, Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary’s Pet Loss Support Group will hold its first of three sessions at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Fairhaven’s location in Santa Ana. Offered to Orange County residents at no cost, the support group is designed to help pet owners prepare for, or cope with, the despair often associated with losing a beloved pet. Fairhaven’s continuing sponsorship of this unique program assists community members through a personal and emotionally challenging time.

“When we introduced our Pet Loss Support Group last year, we received overwhelming support and attendees were grateful to have a safe place where they could share their experiences,” said Marla Noel, president of Fairhaven, who attended the sessions. “Together, we shared tears as well as happy memories as we dealt with our losses. At Fairhaven, we take great pride in being one of the only no-cost resources available to Orange County pet lovers.”

Each of the three sessions will be led by a Fairhaven grief recovery specialist, certified through the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others going through similar experiences, and learn ways to ease the pain often associated with the loss of a furry loved one.

The monthly support group will meet at 6 p.m. on three Tuesdays: Sept. 20, Oct. 18 and Nov. 15. Among the topics are grieving the loss of a pet versus a person, reactions and emotions to pet loss, and support for grieving. The public is invited to attend one, or all, of the sessions.

With locations in Santa Ana and Mission Viejo, Fairhaven has a respected history of community involvement and support. The 105-year old memorial park created the Pet Loss Support Group to expand its existing grief support services to a new, underserved population.

To register for an upcoming session, contact Ruth Velez at ruth.rincon@dignitymemorial.com or call (714) 633-1442 ext. 229.

About Fairhaven

Founded in 1911 by Oliver Halsell to provide a peaceful and comforting place for families to honor their loved ones, Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary is Orange County’s most beautiful full-service mortuary, crematory and cemetery. With the memorial park and mortuary in Central Orange County and an elegantly appointed mortuary in South Orange County, Fairhaven provides funeral, cremation and burial services both at the time of need and through advanced planning, maintaining its steadfast commitment to care and compassion. Fairhaven is dedicated to celebrating the individual, providing services that are as unique and wide-ranging as the people they celebrate. Additional information is available at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/fairhaven-memorial-park-mortuary/en-us/index.page. Connect with Fairhaven at www.facebook.com/fairhavenmemorial or www.twitter.com/fairhavenoc.