BERNIE.
She’s a big,
gentle St. Bernard with a purpose – guiding grieving kids.
Fortunately, Bernie’s
human companion, Angela Blenkhorne, has developed a brilliant approach for Bernie to reach bereaved children, “Bernie’s Buddies”
:
“A kids’ grief peer
support group using pet therapy and yoga to help kids remember how to live
after the loss of a loved one.”
A
trained therapy dog, Bernie creates a space where kids are safe to express thoughts
and feelings about their loss and grief. The sense of anxiety, which kids often
experience during times of bereavement, slips away as they touch, pat, and wrap
their little arms around Bernie.
Angela,
a certified yoga instructor, brings her own experience as a grieving teen to
the groups, as well as 20 years of involvement volunteering with youth. Her passion for helping grieving kids, yoga and Bernie, make for the perfect blend of pet therapy, physical healing and compassion in "Bernie's Buddies" groups.
Now, I'm a
dog-lover. The bigger the dog, the harder I fall; Bernie stole my heart within
seconds. She tolerated my non-stop pats, hugs, and my gibberish doggy-talk.
Talk which Bernie couldn’t hear – she’s deaf.
Angela showed me how to communicate with Bernie via hand signals. I can’t help think how good it
will be for a grieving child to develop the skills to direct Bernie’s play – a
sense of control in a world in which a grieving child may feel powerless and
helpless.
Is
there a grieving child that comes to your mind? Here’s a timely and practical way
to help them…
This
month, Bernie is doing two “Bernie Buddies” groups!
June
10
June
24
6:30
to 8:00 PM
Eau
Claire
To
make Bernie accessible to all grieving kids, Angela does not charge a fee for
the support groups. Thank you, Angela, for your kind generousity.
For information about Bernie, and registering for "Bernie's Buddies" go to www.adventureswithbernie.com
and Bernie@adventureswithbernie.com
I’m
very excited that Bernie and Angela will be at the October 23rd Death Café
as we talk about animal companionship at the end-of-life and in grief - Bernie is
living proof of the power in that connection.
Check out Bernie's website! Then register for one of the groups, or for the October Death Cafe.
Warmly
Wendy
CT(Thanatology) B.Ed, B.Mus, Dip(Nursing) Dip(Guidance) Certificate in Professional Writing PR
I’ve heard of pet therapy before, but there is something about grieving children cuddling into a massive St. Bernard that warmed my heart. Then I got to the part about Bernie being deaf and the kids learning how to communicate with him: therapeutic on so many different levels!! Bernie and Angela are true gifts to grieving children (as are you, for bringing them to the next Death Café). Thank you so much for posting this today, Wendy. Just what my soul needed.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteThat's just what it will be like - kids cuddling Bernie. I think Angela is absolutely brilliant and generous as she brings Bernie and bereaved kids together. Also, I'm looking forward to seeing the healing that adults will also experience with Bernie at the Death Cafe. It all feels so 'good', doesn't it?
Thanks so much for your comments.
Warmly
Wendy