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Veterinarians were among the participants at the first annual meeting of the new Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, March 10-13 in San Antonio.

The attendees 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; and veterinarians with an interest in pet loss services.

Dr. Jane R. Shaw, director of the Argus Institute at Colorado State University, conducted a workshop on her institute's mission of strengthening veterinarian-client communication and supporting relationships between pets and pet owners. Dr. Shaw joined Dr. Dawn M. Fradkin of Bergheim Pet Hospital & Clinic in Bergheim, Texas, and Sharon Gregory, executive secretary of the Veterinary Medical Association of Bexar County, Texas, for a roundtable discussion on how pet loss professionals can work with veterinarians to improve service to clients who have lost a pet.

The pet loss professionals who spoke at the meeting addressed standards for their industry, pet cremations, grief management, and new products.

The Pet Loss Professionals Alliance is a committee of the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association. The alliance met in conjunction with the association's 2010 meeting.

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