Requirements

Students must:

• Have access to the Internet (unrestricted) and have a computer with a webcam & microphone (or other ways to video conference)
• Have a Gmail Account with an @gmail.com email address
• Have a working knowledge and proficiency in the English language (or a reliable translation software)
• Be able to commit roughly 10 hours a week to the training content
• Be able to attend at least 2 different chat rooms during the 8-week period
• Have a passion for guiding people through their grief.

Content by Week:

• • Week 1: Overview of Pet Loss Grief Specialist Work
  • Week 2: The Human Animal Bond
  • Week 3: Overview of Models of Grief
  • Week 4: Types of Grief and Loss
  • Week 5: Helping Others through Pet Loss
  • Week 6: Loss in Special Populations
  • Week 7: Pet Loss and Spirituality
  • Week 8: Entering the Pet Loss Field

Our graduates tell us how much they appreciate having been required to give that extra effort to meet our high standards.

We make full use of The Loss of a Pet (Fourth Edition) as a textbook for reference and resource in this curriculum. It is important to have a hard copy of this title.

The tuition for this course is US $550 until December 2025.  Effective with the August 2025 cohort, the tuition will increase to $850.

A pro-rated refund is available if the registrant requests this before the third week of this course.
There is a $50.00 administration and processing fee that will be deducted from your refund.

This class is offered every February and August, and enrollment is limited to 10 seats per class.
APLB Silver, Platinum, Professional and Professional Plus members receive advance notice when registration opens to help ensure enrollment.

Effective pet loss grief specialists must be able to explain concepts clearly, and simplify the client’s perceptions which can then be more easily re-shaped. Developing appropriate coping strategies requires sharp focus on the presenting problems. Our homework assignments teach and develop that skill.

Unfortunately, some very well-intended students lack that particular aptitude and they are unable to pass the course. We regret this, but the APLB’s standards were established and implemented to ensure excellence in pet bereavement assistance.

After completing the course, students will receive an APLB Pet Loss Grief Specialist Training Certificate by mail. Continuing Education credits are also available, as authorized by the American Association of Veterinary Boards.

Scholarships Available!

We offer a PLGS Scholarship for individuals who are Silver, Platinum, Professional or Professional Plus members.

The number of scholarships awarded will vary from session to session.  Individuals who accept the award and successfully complete the training (passing scores and final exam) are required to serve as a chatroom host/video support host for at least 2 years.

Requirements for applicants must:

• have the time available (2-4 hours/week for the chatroom/video support group and 5 hours/year for chatroom staff meetings) to serve as a chatroom host/video support host.
• attend the required orientation (1 hour with the President or Chatroom & Video Support Group Chair) to be a chatroom host/video support host.
• shadow at least 5 chatrooms/video support groups as a component of the training required to be a chatroom host/video support host.
• attend a 1:1 meeting with a senior chat host to review notes as a component of the training required to be a chatroom host/video support host.

Applicants will be interviewed to ensure that they understand the requirements and notified if they are successful before the training start date.

If the applicant decides not to complete the full two-year term, they will be required to pay the balance of the tuition.

Click here to access the Application for the Scholarship!