In Episode 9 of Laugh at the Odds Podcast with Heidi and Dave, we talk about Heidi's very recent loss, Dave’s own losses from years prior, and how these have affected us both as widowed people, as well as Benji. We also speak with Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio, both therapists who ran a pet loss group for 30 years, and co-authors of “The Pet Loss Companion; Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups,” and co-hosts of the podcast “The Pet Loss Companion.” They help us navigate and understand our own experiences with pet loss, and share lessons and advice from their collective years in behavioral health in general, and in the subject of pet loss in particular.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Nancy Saxton-Lopez is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, speaker, trainer, coach and consultant.  She has had over 30 years of clinical and managerial experience in behavioral health.  She currently is Sr. Partner in Clinical Services Management, a behavioral health consulting management firm.  Ms. Saxton-Lopez also maintains a private practice providing therapy and coaching to adolescents and adults.  She is well versed working with adolescent issues, depression, anxiety, and life challenges.  Her main expertise is in grief and bereavement, specifically companion animal loss. She co-led a support group for companion animal loss in New Jersey for 30 years. Ms. Saxton-Lopez also co-authored the book “The Pet Loss Companion; Healing Advice From Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups” with Ken Dolan-DelVecchio.  She is a graduate of New York University School of Social Work, has a Certificate in Family Therapy from The New Jersey Center for Family Studies and holds a Certificate from the University of Tennessee in Veterinary Social Work.

Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Senior Professional in Human Resources. He is a lifelong animal companion enthusiast who, along with fellow therapist Nancy Saxton-Lopez, coauthored The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups. Ken and Nancy host The Pet Loss Companion live broadcast on YouTube and Facebook every Thurs at 6PM ET.

Ken is the author or coauthor of three other books, including his latest, Simple Habits of Exceptional (But Not Perfect) Parents.  He is an award-winning leader and keynote speaker in the field of workplace mental health and leadership. In 2017, Ken retired from his 19-year tenure at Prudential, where as Vice President, Health and Wellness, where he was responsible for behavioral health services for US employees, leadership consulting internationally, and violence prevention.  Learn more at GreenGateLeadership.com and see Ken’s videos on YouTube at Work Life Confidential and The Pet Loss Companion.

OUR GUESTS' LINKS:

https://www.kendolan-delvecchio.com/
https://www.GreenGateLeadership.com
PET LOSS COMPANION PODCAST:  https://open.spotify.com/show/4DG0btqT9T6R0RZK15kgcg
PET LOSS COMPANION BOOK: http://www.thepetlosscompanion.com/
SIMPLE HABITS OF EXCEPTIONAL (BUT NOT PERFECT) PARENTS BOOK https://www.kendolan-delvecchio.com/simple-habits-preview/
WORK LIFE CONFIDENTIAL YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUaYKZZR31HPxkVNow8kAuA



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