The Animal Hospice, End of Life and Palliative Care Project, or AHELP Project, will present their Open House, themed “Enhance your Loving Bond,” from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 in the Education Room at Seattle Veterinary Specialists in Kirkland.
AHELP is proud to be hosting this animal-friendly event for the second year in a row. The event will feature practitioners from the organization’s Professional Network and their Veterinary Network.
Visitors may view demonstrations and sample therapies that most interest them, and have unique opportunities to learn about the theory behind these alternative modalities and suitability to their own animal and situation.
Practitioners and their topics of focus will be: Anne Auerbach, MA, Willow Counseling (Grief Counseling and Psychotherapy); Kristina Callender, MSW, Counseling & Coaching for Life’s Challenges (Individual and Group Counseling); Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing (Reiki); Diane Dyer, Celebrant, Farewells (Memorials and Support Groups); Tina Ellenbogen DVM, Mobile Veterinary Services Animal HomeCare & Hospice (In-Home Euthanasia and Hospice); Robyn Fritz, Alchemy West (Trusting your Intuition); Collene Gaolach, Northwest Animal Holistic Health (Acupressure); Kristin Kirkby, DVM and Liz Brown, LVT, Seattle Veterinary Specialists (Rehabilitative Veterinary Medicine and Palliative Care); Nancy Medwell, Nancy Medwell Photography (Photographic Memories); Barry Rickman, VMD, Peaceful Companion (Hospice and Housecalls); Mary Pittari, DVM, A Peaceful Parting (In-Home Feline Euthanasia and Hospice); Lori Stevens, SeattleTTouch (Tellington TTouch); Jennifer Streit, Hands to Paws Massage and Reiki (Massage Therapy); Jill Todd, DVM, Bellevue Animal Hospital; Bruce Weber, Northwest Dog Shots (Photography with you and your Pet); and Sheila Wells, Wellsprings-K9 (Massage & Swim Therapy).
AHELP director and animal hospice consultant Michelle Nichols of PartnersToTheBridge.com said, “The goal of our Open House is for animal lovers in King and Snohomish counties to think of AHELP as a resource for their animal’s caregiving options once the focus of care has shifted from cure to comfort. Ideally, we’d like families to become involved with us once their animals have special needs, are experiencing a decline in health, or have received a life-limiting diagnosis. Pet parents in today’s society want to know about what they can do for their animals at this bittersweet time. Animal hospice and the widespread availability of palliative care gives them the means to do so.”
Nichols went on to explain that end-of-life caregiving for beloved animals can be very intensive and isolating.
The event will feature ways that families can reinforce the special bond they share with their furry friends during this challenging time. This extra care will help families move through their grief and come to terms with the loss more effectively.
Launched by the success of their Sept. 2009 inaugural workshop in Kirkland, AHELP is a Bellevue-based grassroots organization with a goal to become a nonprofit organization.
They offer educational programs like this one, as well as community building such as the monthly Animal Caregivers Support Circle, in Seattle and the Eastside. Their work is completely volunteer-based, and AHELPers will be prepared to discuss with visitors the exciting opportunities for volunteerism and leadership at the Open House.
Suggested donation is $10, though no one will be turned away. They will offer a resource booklet with information and special offers from featured network businesses. There will be a gift basket drawing, refreshments and goodies from The Dining Dog.
AHELP thanks their supporters Seattle Veterinary Specialists, located at 11814 115th Ave. N.E., Suite 102, Kirkland. For information, visit www.SVSVet.com.
For more information about the event, visit www.AHELPProject.org or email michelle@AHELPProject.org.
