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Leadership

striving for excellence

Board of Directors

Colleen
Rolland

President

Colleen Rolland is President of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB), commencing her term in August 2019.  She is a Pet Loss Grief Specialist, certified through the American Association of Health Care Professionals and trained as a Pet Loss Counselor with the renowned Dr. Wallace Sife, a private practice Psychologist and founder of APLB, in 2014.  Colleen became his Deputy Trainer and was asked to join their Board of Directors in January 2015.

Michelle
Crossley

Vice President

Dr. Michelle Crossley joined APLB while preparing for her doctoral dissertation that explored pet loss and human bereavement. She quickly volunteered to be the Newsletter Editor and began working with Dr. Sife in this capacity. After some time, Michelle joined the Board of Directors and was then certified as a Pet Loss Grief [Counselor] Specialist under the training of Dr. Sife.

Marsha
Zimmer

Treasurer

Marsha became a member of the APLB in 2014 when she was searching for support
after the loss of her heart dog Lucy.
Shortly after joining, she took the APLB Pet Loss Grief Specialist class facilitated by Dr.
Wallace Sife. The intent was to volunteer as a Chat Host which she gladly did for two
years.

Alana
Birchall

Secretary

Alana Birchall brings a wealth of experience to the APLB, drawing from her extensive background in corporate communications and over a decade of volunteering as one of our pet loss chatroom hosts. After completing our Pet Loss Grief Specialist course in 2013, she had the privilege of working closely with our founder, Dr. Wallace Sife, in the Friday night chatroom for seven years, receiving invaluable mentorship along the way.

Rebecca
Sell

Chat Chair

Rebecca Sell discovered the APLB in 2022, while looking for a way to help others dealing with pet loss. She completed the Pet Loss Grief Specialist certification that Fall, and by the end of that year she was a volunteer host in the APLB Chatroom. She continues to be a Chatroom host and has also gone on to be the APLB Chairperson for the Chatroom and Video Support Group hosts, and in 2025 she was honored to be asked to join the APLB Board of Directors.

Executive Officers

President

Colleen Rolland

Vice President

Dr. Michelle Crossley

Treasurer

Marsha Zimmer

Secretary

Alana Birchall

President Emeritus
Ellie Waldron (through December 31st, 2021)

Chat Room & Video Support Group Pet Loss Grief Specialists (PLGS)

Christy Burbidge

Patti Cole

Jane Collier

Erin Dicesare

Renee Freeman

Susan Groenke

Adrianna Harrison

Pam Michel

Marshall Neely

Sofia Nourozi

Nina Papazian

Meg Richie

Saskia Scott

Marjene Schrader

Rebecca Sell

Angela Shook

Courtney Wennerstrom

Social Media Coordinators

Sofia Nourozi

Renee Freeman

Jessica Abernathy

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) is a non-profit association of volunteers who are experienced and knowledgeable in the subject of pet loss and grief. Our chat room is free to all. 

Our Board of Directors meets bi-monthly to pursue our goals and objectives as an association. If you become a member and are interested in becoming a volunteer on one of our many committees, or the Board of Directors, please contact us.

Our beloved animal companions have brought us together, and in honor of them, we are here to provide our assistance to anyone who requests it.

The APLB is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Colleen Rolland

President

Colleen Rolland is President of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB), commencing her term in August 2019.  She is a Pet Loss Grief Specialist, certified through the American Association of Health Care Professionals and trained as a Pet Loss Counselor with the renowned Dr. Wallace Sife, a private practice Psychologist and founder of APLB, in 2014.  Colleen became his Deputy Trainer and was asked to join their Board of Directors in January 2015.

Under Colleen’s leadership, APLB adopted new Mission and Vision statements, identified Core Values, built & delivered a robust website, introduced new Chat Room technology, implemented a new 4-tier membership plan and benefit structure, installed new membership technology, and implemented Google Suite throughout the organization.  She co-wrote, implemented, and delivered a revised & expanded new Pet Loss Grief Specialist training program, which has certified 48 new specialists since February 2021, and co-authored the article “Overcoming the stigma of Pet Loss: considerations for counseling professionals.” Human-Animal Interactions Journal, November 2022.  She is interviewed regularly and participates in webinars internationally.

Colleen founded Pet Bereavement Services (PBS) in 2014 and continuously works with grieving clients. PBS aims to help establish such services across Canada, making compassionate grief support available to all who need it.

In her professional life, she had a 23-year career in an executive senior management position in a Property and Casualty Insurance software company; first as Director, and then as Vice-President of Corporate Sales & Service.  

Colleen has an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Classics & Anthropology and a Master’s Degree in Classics from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  She received the prestigious Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council scholarship for her Master’s studies.

Colleen lives on the Niagara Escarpment, which UNESCO has designated a World Biosphere Reserve, with her two saucy cats and a newly rescued and extremely naughty pup. She also rides her gracious gelding as often as possible.

Michelle Crossley

Vice President

Dr. Michelle Crossley joined APLB while preparing for her doctoral dissertation that explored pet loss and human bereavement. She quickly volunteered to be the Newsletter Editor and began working with Dr. Sife in this capacity. After some time, Michelle joined the Board of Directors and was then certified as a Pet Loss Grief [Counselor] Specialist under the training of Dr. Sife.

In her time with APLB, Michelle has worked in collaboration with other volunteers to improve the services provided by the organization. Specifically, she was able to contribute to the redevelopment of the Pet Loss Grief Specialist training by using her skills as a counselor educator. Michelle has represented APLB at different professional conferences, through collaborative publications, in the media, and internationally.

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys spending special moments with her partner and their three children and three dogs. She is a professional counselor and counselor educator by training and is an Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rhode Island College.

Marsha Zimmer

Treasurer

Marsha became a member of the APLB in 2014 when she was searching for support after the loss of her heart dog Lucy.

Shortly after joining, she took the APLB Pet Loss Grief Specialist class facilitated by Dr. Wallace Sife. The intent was to volunteer as a Chat Host which she gladly did for two years.

Marsha is currently the Treasurer for the APLB, a position she has held since 2017.

Retiring from AT&T, she brings 30 years of Customer Service, Accounting and Corporate Management to the table.

In addition, Marsha and her husband Mark (a retired Veterinarian and APLB Newsletter contributor) owned and operated a Veterinary Clinic and Pet Bird Store. Being closely involved with animal related businesses gave her a first hand perspective of the Veterinarian/Client, Veterinarian/Patient and Human/Pet Relationship as well as an understanding of the stresses experienced by the staff in the animal clinic environment.

Marsha resides in Michigan with her husband Mark. Their 3 dogs, 5 cats and a turtle let them share the home with them.

Alana Birchall

Secretary

Alana Birchall brings a wealth of experience to the APLB, drawing from her extensive background in corporate communications and over a decade of volunteering as one of our pet loss chatroom hosts. After completing our Pet Loss Grief Specialist course in 2013, she had the privilege of working closely with our founder, Dr. Wallace Sife, in the Friday night chatroom for seven years, receiving invaluable mentorship along the way. 

Joining our Board in 2021, Alana works on our marketing and fundraising endeavors, championing various initiatives, including our successful 2023 story project.

During her career Alana has worked for a number of Australia’s largest corporations as well as the Australian Government. She holds a MA in Virtual Communications from RMIT, and a MA in History and a BA in English from the University of Otago.

As a pivotal member of our board, Alana blends strategic acumen with a steadfast dedication to our mission. Living in Australia with her partner and greyhound, Bella, she continues to contribute her passion and expertise to our cause.

Rebecca Sell

Chat Chair

Rebecca Sell discovered the APLB in 2022, while looking for a way to help others dealing with pet loss. She completed the Pet Loss Grief Specialist certification that Fall, and by the end of that year she was a volunteer host in the APLB Chatroom. She continues to be a Chatroom host and has also gone on to be the APLB Chairperson for the Chatroom and Video Support Group hosts, and in 2025 she was honored to be asked to join the APLB Board of Directors. She has worked on the APLB Your Story Project and she also coordinates the training of the new host volunteers.

Being an APLB volunteer is truly a meaningful experience of service for Rebecca. It is an extension of honoring the bond and love that she shared with her own beloved pets and she is honored to be able to help other pet owners who are grieving a loss or anticipating a loss of their pet. Rebecca continues to be inspired by Dr. Sife’s writings and trailblazing work in the field of Pet Loss Grief.

In addition to earning a BA in Psychology, Rebecca has worked in and studied the Healing Arts since 1996. She is a licensed and certified Massage Therapist & Bodyworker, and she is also certified in Depth Hypnosis, certified in Meditation Instruction & Energy Healing, and practices Shamanic Journeywork.

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Exclusive APLB Webinar:
A conversation on pet loss and children

A conversation with Dr. Lynsey Rinelli, veterinarian and author of a children’s book on pet loss, Goodbye for Now, and Colleen Rolland, President of the APLB

Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 10th
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM, ET
Location: via Zoom (registration required)

Exclusive APLB Webinar: The Benefits of Hospice Veterinary Care

Ensuring Comfort and Dignity for Pets in Their Final Days

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM, ET
Location: via Zoom (registration required)

We are excited to invite you to an exclusive members-only live webinar exploring the experience and benefits of hospice veterinary care—a compassionate approach to supporting pets and their families through end-of-life care.

APLB Video Support Groups

We are now offering Online Video Support Groups every Saturday from 7 pm - 9 pm EST/USA.

1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays from 1 pm - 3 pm EST/USA and every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 7 pm - 9 pm EST/USA.

Our Video Support Groups are available to all Silver and Platinum members.

If you want to learn more about our Video Support Groups, please click or tap the button below.

Webinar: A Conversation on Pet Loss with Author E.B. Bartels

Join us for this exciting event

Rainbow Bridge
Memorial Celebration

In honor of Rainbow Bridge Memorial Day (August 28), we are offering a 20% discount on Silver and Platinum memberships throughout the entire month of August.

By joining us, you will have the unique opportunity to create a lasting online memorial for your pet, complete with photos and stories you can cherish.

Live Webinar

Navigating Pet Loss & Grief

Thursday, June 6th, 2024
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern

Sponsored by:

Navigating Pet Loss & Grief, hosted by Moose’s
March, this webinar is designed to support pet
owners through the difficult journey and depth of
pet loss, anticipatory grief and understanding
guilt. This webinar will also provide 3 key
takeaways for the management of grief,
Featuring insights from renowned experts
Colleen Rolland, Association of Pet Loss and
Bereavement and Dr. Nancy Curotto, Pet Loss &
Bereavement Specialist. Attendees will have an
opportunity to ask questions of the experts.

Special Holiday Schedule

We understand that the holidays can be a difficult time for pet parents missing their fur babies. APLB will be extending our hours this year to help you – we’ll get through this together.

Chat Room

Sun Dec 24: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun Dec 24: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Dec 25: 8 – 10 pm EST
Tues Dec 26: 8 – 10 pm EST
Wed Dec 27: 8 – 10 pm EST
Fri Dec 29: 8 – 10 pm EST
Sun Dec. 31: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun. Dec 31: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Jan 1: 8 – 10 pm EST

Video Support Group

Sat Dec 9: 7- 9 pm EST
Sun Dec 10: 7- 8:30 EST
Sat Dec. 23: 7 – 9 pm EST

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, on December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.