471: Supporting Our Clients Through Anticipatory Grief with Erica Messer

What is anticipatory grief and how can we help our client through it? In the complex landscape of pet care, we face the delicate issue of anticipatory grief among pet owners—a pre-loss mourning filled with anxiety and sorrow. Erica Messer, founder of Wolfie's Wish, discusses the critical need for pet care providers to offer support and practical resources to our clients. She advocates for early conversations about end-of-life decisions, emphasizing the importance of self-care for both owners and ourselves. She reminds us that in addressing anticipatory grief, our actions resonate more profoundly than words, fostering a supportive community for both pets and their owners.

Main topics:

• Anticipatory pet loss grief
• Self-care when looking after a senior animal
• Preparing for and coping with palliative care

Main takeaway: Start conversations early and have resources ready for your clients.

About our guest

After the sudden passing of her beloved cat, Wolfgang, Erica embarked on a heartfelt quest to find a simple way to cope with her grief. Frustrated by the lack of suitable products, and encouraged by her mother, Bonnie, she created the perfect solution: Pet Loss Grieving Cards. Thus, Wolfie's Wish was born. These cards garnered worldwide attention after receiving a prestigious "Best New Product" award at the esteemed Superzoo trade show in 2022.

Erica is a board certified pet bereavement specialist and coach and leads a free monthly virtual support group and is also an in-demand international speaker and (fanfare) is releasing her first full-length book in the Summer of 2024.

In February 2024, she is releasing Wolfie's Wish Pet Loss Podcast with celebrity interviews on coping strategies on pet loss.

With clinical musical training, she helps people navigate their grief through the healing power of music.

Erica's artistic talents also shine through her hand-painted pet portraits, showcasing her love for animals and dedication to capturing their spirits on canvas. She both wrote and illustrated the captivating story "Tails Of Spirit Pets" and Tails of Spirit Cats Books.

Erica's profound love for music, animals, and her unwavering desire to support others in their healing journeys make her an exceptional and inspiring individual, touching the lives of many with her unique blend of creativity, compassion, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Links:

https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/341

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https://wolfieswish.com

Erica@wolfieswish.com

https://www.instagram.com/wolfies_wish/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/243053351275157

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPkpa_ynS8Im1YlFNAvzZBA

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Full show notes and transcript

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