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Education & Training

become an APLB Pet Loss Grief Specialist

For a Kinder, More Compassionate Tomorrow

APLB offers educational training in Pet Loss Grief work resulting in a certificate of completion as a Pet Loss Grief Specialist.
 
This course has been redesigned from the ground up and mirrors the many years of practice and experience in the field from our founder Dr. Wallace Sife. 
 
Our instructors were trained under Dr. Sife, represent diversity in career paths/areas of expertise, and have a variety of experiences in the field of Pet Loss Grief work. 
 
The training is offered asynchronously through Google Classroom so no specific meeting times are required. Instructors offer two optional group meetings to discuss ideas and answer questions for the cohort over the 8 week period.

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

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, and Professional 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.

Upcoming Class Schedule

Sunday, August 4th, 2024 at 12:01 am through Saturday, September 28th, 2024 at 12:01 am

Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 at 12:01 am through Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 12:01 am

A few notes about our course

  • Offered twice per year – February & August
  • 8 weeks in length
  • Limited enrollment – 10 participants
  • CE credits
  • $ 550 US

Seating is limited and is available only to Silver, Platinum, and Professional members.

If you are already a Silver, Platinum, or Professional member, click here to register your interest in joining our program.

If you would like to become a Silver or Platinum, or Professional member to enroll, click here.

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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