Loading Events

Event Details

October 14, 2020 / 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Venue

Event Categories

Our pets are important members of the family. They are devoted companions who give us their unconditional love and acceptance. For a pet caregiver, the loss of a companion animal can be one of life’s most difficult experiences. When we lose a beloved friend, it often helps by sharing our feelings with others who have also experienced a similar loss.

The support group meets quarterly at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of  January,  April,  July, and October at the the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. There is no charge to attend these meetings, and all are welcome. No reservations are required.

For more than 25 years, Kathy Reiter has offered her help to pet owners coping with their loss through free Pet Loss Support Group meetings at local shelters. She also offers her support group at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Kathy is recognized as the area’s leading authority on pet loss. Kathy is a psychiatric social worker with a specialty in grief and bereavement. She has appeared on Good Morning America,CBS News with Dan Rather and PBS. Kathy has also been featured in The Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping and other widely-circulated magazines.

Kathy was instrumental in establishing the hospice movement in the United States and was directly responsible for the construction of the first hospice in Arlington, VA. While the Arlington hospice was being built, Kathy’s beloved cat, Prince, was diagnosed with a terminal illness. While being experienced in human loss, Kathy was now faced with impending pet loss of her animal friend. Kathy turned for help, for resources, and yet found none. Through her own personal experience, Kathy came to realize the need for pet loss support, and generously offers her gentle support to anyone who is grappling with such a loss.