Pet Loss Professionals Alliance Hosts Successful Inaugural Conference

Press Release: More than 70 pet loss professionals gathered in March for the First Annual Conference of the newly formed Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA). Participants included owners and managers of pet funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories; owners and managers of traditional funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories that have added pet products and services to their businesses; and veterinarians interested in learning more about pet loss services.

“Our first conference was a great success and provides a strong foundation for this emerging organization,” said PLPA Chair Coleen Ellis, president of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center in Greenwood, Indiana. “There is a growing need for caring, dignified pet loss care in today’s society, and our organization and this conference are dedicated to raising the bar to ensure excellent service to families.”

The Conference was held March 10-13 in San Antonio, Texas. Among the educational sessions:

*Meeting the Needs of Today’s Pet Caregivers— Jane R. Shaw, DVM, Ph.D.,an assistant professor of veterinary communication and director of the Argus Institute at Colorado State University, conducted an interactive workshop on strengthening veterinarian-client-patient communication and supporting relationships between pets and pet owners;

* “Ask the Veterinarian” Roundtable Discussion—Shaw, as well as Dawn Fradkin, DVM, veterinarian at Bergheim Pet Hospital & Clinic, Bergheim, Texas, and Sharon Gregory, executive secretary of the Veterinary Medical Association of Bexar County, Texas, offered their perspectives on how pet loss providers can best work with veterinarians to improve service to families suffering the loss of a pet;

* Toward Standards in Pet Loss Care—Ellis and Bill Remkus, owner of Hillside Animal Cemetery & Crematory in Willowbrook, Illinois, laid the groundwork for the PLPA to work toward setting standards in pet loss operations, procedures and services;

* Pet Cremations: Legal and Liability Issues—Attorney and funeral director Poul Lemasters examined potential liabilities related to pet cremations and advised attendees on how to protect themselves and their companies through record-keeping measures, operations protocols and more.

* Grief: What Your Team and Pet Parents Will Want to Know—Ellis shared specific techniques for working with families and helping them manage their grief;

* Pet Loss Center Best Practices —Jocelyne Monette, chief executive officer of Eternal Companions Pet Memorial Centre in Rigaud, Quebec, and Nancy Lohman, owner of Lohman Pet Cemetery and Cremation in Daytona Beach, Florida, discussed new technologies, public education programs and the latest products
and services available in the pet loss market.

Founded in 2009, the PLPA is dedicated to providing education and opportunities for professional growth for providers of pet-related death care services. It is a committee of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), and its conference was held in conjunction with the ICCFA’s 2010 Convention & Exposition. PLPA members were included in all ICCFA functions and activities, including the 369-booth exhibit hall, which included numerous companies showcasing pet loss products and services.

Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral and memorialization profession. Its membership is composed of more than 7,500 cemeteries, funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories, pet loss providers and related businesses worldwide.

For more information please contact:

Linda Budzinski
Director of Communications
International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
1.800.645.7700
lindab@iccfa.com