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Leadership

striving for excellence

Board of Directors

Colleen
Rolland

President

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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.

Bio

Michelle
Crossley

Vice President

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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.

Bio

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.

Bio

Alana
Birchall

Secretary

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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.

Bio

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)

Patti Cole

Jane Collier

Erin Dicesare

Renee Freeman

Adrianna Harrison

Pam Michel

Marshall Neely

Sofia Sanatrix

Nina Papazian

Meg Richie

Saskia Scott

Marjene Schrader

Courtney Wennerstrom

Social Media Coordinators

Sofia Sanatrix

Renee Freeman

Jessica Abernathy

Christy Burbidge

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.

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These are the hearts and hands that give their time and talent to ensure the APLB is here today, and ALWAYS
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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.

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Exclusive Members-Only Webinar:

A conversation on the human face of shelter and rescue work with Dillon Dodson

Register today!

Join us for this exciting event
We are delighted to invite you to an exclusive members-only webinar featuring Dillon Dodson, veterinary social worker, Director of Social Work at the Toronto Humane Society, and Vice President of our partner organization, the International Association of Veterinary Social Work. This special event is designed to shine a light on the human side of animal welfare work in rescues and shelters.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 30th, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM, ET
Platform:  Zoom (registration required)

Celebrate Rainbow Bridge
Remembrance Day

Join the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement today and create a special online memorial for your pet. Enjoy 20% off a Silver or Platinum membership— offer ends September 7.

Discount is automatically applied at checkout

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.

JOIN TODAY

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.

DONATE TODAY

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.

DONATE TODAY