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College of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Medical Center

Hospital for Companion Animals

Suggested Reading List

The following list is not inclusive.  These selected items were chosen based on recommendations, both from former clients, as well as professionals that specialize in the Human-Animal Bond (veterinarians, social workers, therapists).

Making Health Care and/or End-of-Life Decisions for Your Companion Animal

  • A Final Act of Caring, Herb & Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 1999.
  • A Snowflake in My Hand, Samantha Mooney, Delta, 1989.
  • Kindred Spirit, Kindred Care:  Making Health Decisions on Behalf of our Animal Companions, Shannon Fujimoto Nakaya, DVM, New World Library, 2005.
  • Pets Living with Cancer, Robin Downing, DVM, American Animal Hospital Association, 2000.
  • Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet: Saying Goodbye with Love, Dignity and a Peace of Mind, Myrna Milani, Prima Lifestyles Publishing, 1998.
  • The Final Farewell: Preparing for and Mourning the Loss of your Pet, Marty Tousley & Katherine Heurman, Pals Publishing, 1997
  • Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees, Susan Neal, Doral Publishing, 2002

Books/Audio Recording for Adults Coping with the Loss of a Companion Animal

  • a 30-Day Guide to healing from the loss of your pet, Gael J. Ross, LCSW, Broken Heart Press, 2010.
  • Bill at Rainbow Bridge, Dan Carrison, Modern Family Classics Publishing, 2010.
  • Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet, Moira Anderson Allen, Dog Ear Publishing, LLC, 2007.
  • Coping with the Loss of a Pet, Christina Lemieux, W.R. Clark, 1992.
  • Crossing the Rubicon: Celebrating the Human-Animal Bond in Life and Death, Julie Kaufman, Xenophone Publications, 1999.
  • Forever in My Heart: Remembering my Pet’s Life, Herb & Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 2000.
  • Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet, Gary Kowalski, New World Library, 2006.
  • Goodbye My Friend Herb & Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 2001.
  • Grieving the Death of a Pet, Betty Carmack, Augbburg Fortress Publishers, 2003.
  • It’s Okay to Cry: Warm Compassionate Stories that Help You Find Hope and Healing after the Death of a Beloved Pet, Maria Luz Quintana, Shari Veleba, & Harley King, K & K Communications, 2000.
  • Journey Through Pet Loss, Deborah Antinori, Yoko Spirit Publications, 2000, Audio Recording.
  • Legacies of Love: A Guide to Healing from the Loss of your Animal Loved One, Theresa Wagner, Matters of the Heart, 1998, Audiobook.
  • My Personal Pet Remembrance Journal, Enid Samuel Traisman, Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital, 1997.
  • Pet Loss and Human Emotion: A Guide to Recovery, 2nd Ed., Cheri Barton Ross and Jane Baron-Sorenson, Routledge, 2006.
  • Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children, Herbert Nieburg, Harper and Row, 1983.
  • Surviving the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for Your Pet: Your Personal Guide for Dealing with Pet Euthanasia, Linda Mary Peterson, Greentree Publishing, 1997.
  • The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies, Wallace Sife, 3rd Ed. Howell Book House NY, 2005.
  • Three Cats, Two Dogs: One Journey Through Multiple Pet Loss, David Congalton, NewSage Press, 2000.
  • When Only the Love Remains: The Pain of Pet Loss (Hardcover), Emily Margaret Stuparyk, Hushion House, 2000.
  • When Your Pet Dies: How to Cope with Your Feelings, Jamie Quackenbush, & Denise Graveline, Pocket Press, 1988.

Books for Adults to help Children Cope with and/or Understand the Loss of a Companion Animal

  • A Gift From Rex: Guiding Children Through Life and Loss, Jim Kramer, DVM, CVPM, Beaver’s Pond Press, 2001.
  • Because of Flowers and Dancers, Sandra Brackenridge, Veterinary Practice Publishing, 1994.
  • Children Also Grieve : Talking About Death And Healing, Linda Goldman, Jessica Kingsley Pub, 2005.
  • Children and Pet Loss: A Guide for Helping, Marty Tousley, Our Pals Pub, 1996
  • Pet Loss and Children:  Establishing a Healthy Foundation, Cheri Barton Ross, Routledge, 2005.
  • Raising Our Children To Be Resilient : A Guide To Helping Children Cope With Trauma in Today's World, Linda Goldman, Brunner-Routledge 2005.

Books to be Read by or to Children

  • A Dog Like Jack, Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan, Holiday House, 1999.
  • A Special Place for Charlee: A Child's Companion Through Pet Loss, Debra Morehead, Partners in Publishing LLC, 1996.
  • Badger’s Parting Gifts, Susan Varley, Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1984.
  • Cat Heaven, Cynthia Rylant. Scholastic, 1997.
  • Dog Heaven, Cynthia Rylant, Scholastic, 1995.
  • For Every Cat an Angel, Christine Davis, Lighthearted Press, 2000.
  • For Every Dog an Angel, Christine Davis, Lighthearted Press, 2003.
  • Goodbye Mousie, Robie Harris, Simon and Schuster Children's, 2001.
  • I’ll Always Love You, Hans Wilhelm, Dragonfly Books, 1988.
  • I Remember: A Book About My Special Pet, Herb and Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 2000.  (Journal/Workbook/Scrapbook)
  • Jasper’s Day, Marjorie Blain Parker, Kids Can Press, 2002.
  • My Pet Died, Rachel Biale, Tricycle Press, 1997.   (A journal/scrapbook.)
  • Remembering Pets: A Book For Children who have Lost a Special Friend, Gina Dalpre-Berman, Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2001.
  • Remembering My Pet, Nechama Liss-Levinson & Molly Phinney-Baskette, Skylight Paths Publishing,  2007.  (Journal/Workbook/Scrapbook)
  • Tear Soup, Pat Schweibert & Chuck DeKlyen,  Perinatal Loss, 2001.
  • The Dead Bird, Margaret Brown, Harper Collins, 1995.
  • The Legend of the Rainbow Bridge, William Britton.  Savannah Publishing, 1994.
  • The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Judith Viorst, Aladdin Books, 1987.
  • Tough Boris, Mem Fox, Harcourt, 1998
  • Ages 5-8.  Boris von der Borch is a mean, greedy old pirate...but when Boris' parrot dies, he mourns and cries like everyone else.
  • When a Pet Dies, Fred Rogers, The Putnam and Grosset Group, 1988.
  • When Friendship Lives Beyond the Stars, Dr. Amy Sugar.  May only be able to get this book directly from www.pawsitiveresources.com

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