APLB Online Seminars
Petloss Counselor Training

For many years the APLB has been offering this unique 10-hour training program for pet bereavement counselors. Although such a curriculum would normally require a full semester to present adequately, this is specifically designed to give a pragmatic overview of all aspects of counseling, in our special field. Dr. Wallace Sife, the founder of the APLB and the author of The Loss of a Pet designed this seminar, and presents it, personally.

There is no other credentialed authority offering what we do, in training pet bereavement counselors. We are proud that the APLB is the acknowledged pioneer for this. For the past fourteen years we have been creating basic standards of excellence that desperately needed to be established. Those who successfully complete these seminars are awarded the much-acclaimed official APLB Certificate of Training. Ten Continuing Education credits are also issued, authorized by NASW. We have found that most state agencies will acknowledge these and permit their transfer to other professional specialties.

Because of the large demand for training we have designed this additional special online curriculum. Up until now, we had been giving these sessions only as a 10-hour course of instruction, in two days of actual classroom instruction. This is done every two years at our conferences, held in the New York City vicinity. Despite the large attendances at these in-person seminars, there are still many others who are at a disadvantage, geographically, and can not attend. Although several have already traveled from other countries and continents, that can be very expensive, as well as time-consuming. This new online course of instruction also has the advantage that it can be taken with far less financial, and time requirement.

As part of this curriculum we require the use of The Loss of a Pet: Third Edition as a course textbook, for constant reference and resource. It is important to have a hard copy of this title. We have found that a downloadable E-book does not serve well as a reference textbook, for this course. Membership in the APLB is also a prerequisite. Tuition is $300, nonrefundable after the first week of instruction.

Class size is limited to 25, and enrolment will end when that number is reached. The Registration Page will then be removed.

There are no formal requirements such as prior training or experience. Each person accepted to take this course will incorporate it in into his/her life as is seen fit, and what is done with it depends entirely upon the individual. Of course, as an APLB member you may always contact us for advice and help with your application. People in many different walks of life have found it invaluable.

Effective counselors must be able to explain things clearly, and simplify the client’s perceptions, so they can be more easily dealt with. For this training, all the homework assignments require that skill. Registrants must be able to focus clearly and only on what is being asked about the assigned readings. They are required to write specific answers - with no digressions of any kind.

We suggest that you join us and get the book, now, and be ready as soon as the next class begins. The Third Edition of The Loss of a Pet easily can be obtained by going to the Bibliography Page on our website, and clicking on at that title. You will be connected directly to Amazon.com, with the book already highlighted, for your convenience.

Notice: this course is not for everyone. It requires reasonable skill in writing focused essay answers, and a willingness to meet our demands for excellence. If you need additional communication and clarification please feel free to contact Dr. Sife at sife@aol.com.

After you start, each week’s assignment will be sent to you as a .pdf file, so there will be no complications. You will have up to one week to submit each homework — which will have to be sent as a Word, WordPerfect or .pdf file.

In each of the five sessions you will be given an essay assignment, based on that weekly instruction, as well as designated reading in The Loss of a Pet. At least 4–5 hours of careful weekly preparation are required for this. If that is not done, it will be very apparent. Homework must be completed no later than 1 PM (Eastern) Friday of each week, and emailed to Dr. Sife for evaluation. Total commitment and diligence is required. Short or off-the-cuff responses are not acceptable. All the answers must be written in clear and detailed exposition of the ideas presented. The sole basis for all questions is in each week’s assigned reading.

Every session will begin on a Saturday, giving students seven days to satisfactorily complete the work. After the first week, if the assignment is not successfully done and returned by the next Friday’s deadline, the enrollment will be terminated, with no refunds, extensions or appeals. After fulfillment, the highly regarded APLB Certificate of Training will be awarded and mailed to the trainee. If requested, we will be pleased to post each graduate’s service on our website’s Counselors’ Page.

In addition to including each week’s posted online instruction, the homework assignments will be as follows:

Session 1	will include coverage of the first three chapters of The Loss of a Pet and an introduction to petloss counseling.
Session 2	will include chapters 4 through 9, the loss experience, and the stages of bereavement.
Session 3	will include chapters 10 through 12, an overview of Cognitive Behavioral theory, and children and petloss.
Session 4	will include chapters 13 through the end, and euthanasia.
Session 5	will test your skills as a petloss counselor, based on this course of instruction.

---

2012 Schedule of Training Sessions