We have three grief specialists to help you
​Brenda Brown, MA, FT, Founder & Grief Specialist
GAPs (Grief About Pets, LLC) was launched by Brenda Brown in 2015. Brenda saw a huge gap in services being offered to support hurting pet parents and their families either before or after their pet dies. To help meet this need, Brenda started offering: individual support sessions, pet loss groups, and educational programs.
Brenda has a Master's degree in thanatology and grief counseling, plus a fellowship from an international organization called ADEC (Association for Death Education and Counseling). While earning those credentials, Brenda created a national human loss game for children called Doggone Grief.
(Check it out on the web.)
Recently to expand her veterinary knowledge, Brenda completed the NAVI Human-Bond certificate program in 2021. Research has proven that our pets
have health benefits. So how do we survive without them?
Together with help from Brenda, Chanda or Jodie, GAPs is ready to help.
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Chanda Joy, Pet Bereavement Specialist
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Initially, Chanda came to Grief About Pets as a grieving pet loss parent. She had three of her furbabies die in one year. Even though Chanda is a trained grief coach, she needed extra support. Now Chanda is a certified Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist. She helps hurting pet parents with her exceptional compassion, knowledge, and experience in the pet loss field. During the day, Chanda also works at Center West Animal Hospital, but when she gets home, her fubabies are the priority. The picture shows Chanda with Norman and Pancake.
​Jodie Stephen, RVT, Pet Bereavement Specialist
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Jodie found the Grief About Pets monthly pet loss group after the loss of her 20-year-old feline soul mate, Stardust. The compassion and understanding she received made her want to help others the same way she had been supported. Jodie received her Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist certificate from Pet Loss Partners.
Jodie is also a registered veterinary technician, RVT, and works at a local vet clinic. A passion that she started after the loss of her cat, Sephiroth, at a young age due to health issues. Jodie utilizes her knowledge and compassion to assist pets and their owners throughout every stage of life and beyond.
This picture shows Jodie holding Stardust.
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Grief professionals experience pet loss too. Here are a few of our furbabies who will forever remain in our hearts!
Meet Brenda's fun cat, Smokie
Brenda grew up in a house full of cats and kittens running around. Smokie was her first cat to care for as an adult. Smokie was a constant joy and much fun!
Meet Brenda's heart dog, Elle
Brenda adopted Elle at six years old from a breeder who was seeking a home for her. Elle lived to be 13 years old. During those seven years, Elle became a Pet Partner therapy dog and she was a huge blessing for many children at Akron Children's Hospital. Most of all, she was a blessing for Brenda!
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Meet Brenda's remarkable, Bosco
Bosco was a remarkable pet therapy dog who volunteered at Akron Children's Hospital, a local adult hospital, and finally a nursing home.
During the last year of his life, Bosco had many physical challenges and had to use a cart. Although Bosco never let anything keep him down from bringing happiness to others!
Meet Chanda's Zan, the man
When it comes to Sphinx, Zan was the man. I fell in love with Zan as well as the breed. His warm body paled in comparison to his warm heart.
Meet Chanda's Incredible, Ap​ollo
Meet Apollo (and my baby sister) on our family farm.
He was our protector and super smart. For 14 years he looked out for us and was so loving.
Meet Chanda's favorite dancer,​ Rascal
Here is Rascal, but I always called him Machete. He was like no other Chihuahua that I have ever met. My voice would send him into joyous dancing and excitement. His kisses were heartfelt, and his small stature never stopped him from being a big dog.
Meet Chanda's sweetest sister pets- Taarna & Rhoda
Taarna was 135 pounds of pure gentleness. Rhoda was a mighty force at 14 pounds. Both girls were lost to untreatable medical conditions much too soon. They live on in my heart forever.
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Starting out as the runt in a litter of four, the chips were stacked against her. She beat the odds on many occasions in her life and in the end, she lived to be a very old lady. Strength and perseverance come in all shapes and sizes.
Meet Chanda's courageous, Miss Bitsy
Meet Jodie's Stardust and Sephy
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Jodie's Stardust was her soul mate and best friend for 20 years. She went through everything with me and was the one who understood me better than anyone. The love of life. My whole heart.
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Jodie's sweet Sephiroth (Sephy)
Sephiroth was the sweetest boy whose time was cut short due to kidney failure. We had to say goodbye at only 5 years old. His loss pushed me to go to school to become a RVT so I could help other animals.
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