End Of Life Care Workshops, And Website, by holistic vet., Ella Bittel Options

[Furkidlets' Mom]

This is from a newsletter by Teresa Wagner, Animal Communicator and counselor for pet loss. This upcoming workshop will be held in California (and other places at other times - check the calendar on the website I will provide for Dr. Bittel, a holistic vet. If this workshop ever came anywhere near me, I'd take it in a heartbeat (will likely travel to attend it, regardless), it's clearly so important! Also note that Dr. Bittel has a link on her website for support for caregivers during the end of life period of your beloved animals if you've chosen hospice home-care.

I believe too often the option of euthanasia has been both presented and chosen as the ONLY way for people's animals to leave this world, rather than as a last resort when all else fails to support them well enough in their dying process, as this means of help was originally intended. If they are truly our babies and as equal to humans in our hearts (or even more so), then I strongly believe we owe them no less than the same kind of end-of-life care we (ideally) provide to human loved ones at the ends of their lives, whenever it is in our control to do so and where it can be determined that they wish to remain alive, despite any discomfort they may be experiencing. The exact same standards should apply if we're truly serious about their equality in our families, including taking on any required expenses this may incur (we don't normally believe in deliberately ending our human loved ones' lives solely due to soaring medical costs, for example, do we?). A true understanding and basic education in the dying process (what it looks like, what these clues mean, how to handle them, etc.) should be learned ahead of time, rather than avoiding the subject of dying and death until it's thrust upon us and we have no time left for such education.

Here is Dr. Bittel's website link, followed by Teresa's newsletter, which expands upon this workshop:
Spirits in Transition - following their path all the way

There were also pictures and stories of various animals that have beaten the odds by country miles because of such dedicated work by their people, but the pictures wouldn't copy onto this page:

1.) Momo was Ella's companion in dog suit for 17 years and it was Ella's experiences with Momo's transition that led to the creation of the seminar,
SPIRITS in TRANSITION
2.) As a student, Ella adopted from her vet school TomCat, who had contracted FIV, the feline version of Aids. It was expected that he would rather quickly travel on, which had him end up with no "official" name. Turned out he liked his new life so much, he decided to outlive by years all other FIV cats in this group which continued to be under the vet school's observation.
3.) Sandy came close to euthanizing Sunny several times last winter. Choosing palliative care instead brought about a big surprise: Sunny made an amazing come back and celebrated his 36th birthday last spring! Sunny is currently featured in the "Holistic Horse" magazine (Fall 2007), in Ella's article "Leaving this Life, in Rhythm with Nature".
4.) Georgia is an accomplished artist and also an avid dog lover. By changing to home made food, using some supplements and herbs, and receiving lots of Reiki her tail wagging loved one "Angel" made a miraculous turn around after being diagnosed with cancer.
You can see more of Georgia's inspiring art at her website www.designsbyhart.com

And Teresa herself offers many in-person as well as teleclass workshops involving animals. See her own site, below. I hope to take some of these teleclasses myself.


Dear Clients, Colleagues and Friends,

Losing our beloved animals, for some of us, is one of the most emotionally challenging and excrutiating times of our lives.
Over the years, I have attempted to support people at these times during private consultations, in my grief workshops and on my web site. However, I don't have the expertise of a veterinarian to fully understand and recognize the physical issues involved in the dying process. Many of us complain that though our veterinarians can provide us with this physicallly and scienctically based information, they may be lacking in the area of spiritual understanding of death and emotional support--not just for us but in acknowledging and respecting the emotional experiences of our animals.

When our animals are gravely ill and we know that physical death may be imminent, having a veterinarian acknowledge the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of this sared time is valuable beyond words. Typically, we have to go to our vet for the phsyical information, brace ourselves for the lack of emotional and spiritual understanding, then go to someone else for that support.

Several months ago when I read Dr. Ella Bittel's description of her workshop Spirits in Transition, I knew I had just been led to such a person who does it all. I cried reading about her work and knew I needed to take her workshop as soon as possible. When I inquired about the next Califorania workshop, I was told that wouldn't happen until someone sponsored one. OK, I thought, well then we will just make that happen. I was thrilled when she agreed to do a workshop in Carmel. And here we are.

I hope you will join me at this sacred and special gathering, led by a very special woman, doctor, and healer. I believe it will help us feel much more prepared and readied-- factually, emotionally and spiritually-- for our next time of being with our animal loved ones during the painful and holy time of their leaving the earth.

God bless you, and all the animals you love,
Love,
Teresa




Seminar Content

This seminar is designed to give tools for being the best possible partner to our animal loved ones throughout the practical as well as emotional challenges often involved in end-of-life care.

A selection of topics covered:

· Re-evaluating Reasons for Euthanasia
· Challenges and Choices in Geriatric Animal Care
· Holistic Options in Pain Control
· Cancer Prevention

· Subtle Energy Aspects of the Natural Dying
Process
· Creating a Supportive Environment for the Dying
· The Stages of Dying from a 5-Element
Perspective
· Caring for Remaining Animal Family Members
and YES, also: Taking Care of Ourselves

Together we will find that merging ancient wisdom and modern scientific investigation reveals ways of supporting our beloved traveler beyond what is currently considered end of physical life.

There will also be an opportunity to share those precious experiences we might have had previously with an animal or human loved one's passing.






Fudge and Ella


Fudge, together with his dedicated human Karen, made an invaluable contribution to what is shared in the seminar about end-of-life care.

photo by Bunny Morrow


Workshop Cost and Registration

Fee: $365. Includes seminar and support literature.
Lodging & meals not included.

The seminar begins at 6pm on Friday evening, followed by a social get-together.

Saturday we start at 9am, with the official program ending at 6pm. Those who wish to listen to and /or share personal experiences around "death and thereafter", will gather
again at 8pm.

Sunday we start at 9am and finish around 1:00 pm.

NOTE: This workshop is also being held
Nov 30 - Dec1, 2007 in Charlottesville, VA


To Register:


Call or email us if you plan to attend.
We will mail or email you a registration form.

You can register online, with your credit card
or your PayPal account at
http://www.spiritsintransition.org
Click on "calendar" and scroll to the Carmel event.

Or, mail a check to Bunny's address below for the full amount
or a $100.00 deposit to reserve your place.
Please make checks out to BVC.

Balance to be paid by December 18, 2007.

Refunds are available only if workshop is cancelled.

For more information contact:

Bunny Morrow ph. 805-598-6496
P.O. Box 65
Los Alamos, CA 93440
email: spiritsintransition@verizon.net
Visit: http://www.spiritsintransition.org



Seminar Location

Carmel, CA

We will meet in the conference room of the Hofsas House Hotel located on San Carlos between 3rd and 4th Avenues in the lovely town of Carmel.

The location is within walking distance of the many
wonderful restaurants and shops of Ocean Avenue and just minutes away from pristine beaches and nature walks.

Hofsas House Hotel will offer special room rates for SPIRITS in Transitions seminar participants. www.hofsashouse.com
Carmel has a host of quaint, European-style Inns and a list will be provided, along with travel directions, upon receipt of registration for the seminar.




Quick Links to Animals in our Hearts


NEXT WORKSHOP:
BASIC ANIMAL COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP
February 15-17, 2008
http://www.animalsinourhearts.com/schedule/commune1.htm

Web site home page:
http://www.animalsinourhearts.com


Products:
http://www.animalsinourhearts.com/legacy/legacy1.htm

Consultations:
http://www.animalsinourhearts.com/commune/index.htm

Workshops:
http://www.animalsinourhearts.com/schedule/schedul1.htm