Sylvia's Shoulder of Support Page

During difficult times in the journey of ones life, the "support" of others is what helps our hearts to heal from the heartache of loosing a loving member of our family.  Coleen and I would have never survived that difficult time in our family's lives when we assisted our dear girl across the Rainbow Bridge were it not for the heartfelt support of our special friends.
We've created Sylvia's "Support" page in the hope of helping others. Know that you always have a family of friends here in Florida should you ever need a strong emotional shoulder of support.
This list is current to the best of our knowledge, but please notify us if you encounter any information needing correction.

Shorti's VAS Support Group

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Center for Animals in Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Phone: (916) 752-4200 V/TDD, Monday-Friday 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Contact: Bonnie S. Mader, M.S., Associate Director/ Hotline Coordinator.

The Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Iowa State University. 2116 College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011.
Phone: (888) 478-7574.
Hours: September-April, 7 days a week 6:00-9:00 p.m., May-August, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m. Central Time.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Tufts University.
Phone: (508) 839-7966.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainsville FL.
Phone: (352) 392-4700, ext. 4080.
Call at any time and leave your name and number. You will be called back between the hours of 7:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The University of Florida offers telephone support anywhere in the U.S. at no charge.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Companion Animal Hospital, Box 35, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401.
Phone: (607) 253-3932.
Hours: 6:00-9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Tuesday-Thursday.

The Ohio State University Pet Loss Hotline.
Phone: (614) 292-1823.
This hotline is in operation Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Central Time.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Phone: (540) 231-8038.
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.


Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Center for Animals in Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Phone: (916) 752-4200 V/TDD, Monday-Friday 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Contact: Bonnie S. Mader, M.S., Associate Director/ Hotline Coordinator.

The Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Iowa State University. 2116 College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011.
Phone: (888) 478-7574.
Hours: September-April, 7 days a week 6:00-9:00 p.m., May-August, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m. Central Time.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Tufts University.
Phone: (508) 839-7966.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainsville FL.
Phone: (352) 392-4700, ext. 4080.
Call at any time and leave your name and number. You will be called back between the hours of 7:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The University of Florida offers telephone support anywhere in the U.S. at no charge.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Companion Animal Hospital, Box 35, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401.
Phone: (607) 253-3932.
Hours: 6:00-9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Tuesday-Thursday.

The Ohio State University Pet Loss Hotline.
Phone: (614) 292-1823.
This hotline is in operation Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Central Time.

Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Phone: (540) 231-8038.
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

(877) 521-0103 Toll-Free (508) 643-0141 RIVMA Pet Loss Support
Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association 

540-231-8038 Staffed by Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Tuesday, Thursday, 6pm to 9 pm, ET


352-392-4700; then dial 1 and 4080 Staffed by University of Florida veterinary students; weekdays, 7 pm to 9 pm, Eastern Time (ET) - This hotline will call back anyone, anywhere, at no cost to the caller.

888-ISU-PLSH Pet Loss Support Hotline hosted by the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. http://www.vm.iastate.edu/support/; operational seven days a week, 6pm to 9pm (CST) from Sept-April; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6:00-9:00 pm (CST) from May-August.

630-603-3994 Staffed by Chicago VMA veterinarians and staffs. Leave voice-mail message; calls will be returned 7 pm to 9 pm, CT (Long-distance calls will be returned collect)

877-394-2273 Staffed by University of Illinois veterinary students. Student volunteers are at the phone to answer calls on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. Central Time. Callers may leave a message any time, and calls will be returned at their next shift, if not before.

(612) 624-4747; University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine - Minneapolis, MI

614/292-1823 Staffed by The Ohio State University veterinary students; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, ET; voice-mail messages will be returned, collect, during operating hours

607-253-3932 Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline staffed by Cornell University Veterinary Students Tuesday-Thursday 6-9pmET, messages will be returned.

(303) 221-4535; Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine - Fort Collins, CO

517-432-2696 Staffed by Michigan State University veterinary students; Tuesday to Thursday, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, ET

508-839-7966 Staffed by Tufts University veterinary students; Tuesday, Thursday, 6 pm to 9 pm, ET; voice-mail messages will be returned daily, collect outside

(212) 838-8100; Animal Medical Center - New York , NY

(212) 876-7700; ASPCA - New York , NY
Beeper: (800) 946-4646 PIN Number: 140-7211
Leave your telephone number and Dr. LaFarge will return your call.

(888) 478-7574; Iowa State University School of Veterinary Medicine - Ames, IA
Hours of operation: September-April: 7 days a week, 6:00- 9:00 p.m. CST
May-August: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. CST

(708) 603-3994; Chicago Veterinary Medical Association - Chicago, IL

(509) 335-4569; Washington State University - Pullman, WA

(215) 898-4525; University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine - Philadelphia, PA

530-752-4200 Staffed by University of California-Davis veterinary students; weekdays, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Pacific Time (PT) Toll free:800-565-1526

The ASPCA Counseling Department offers a full range of pet loss and bereavement services. The National Pet Loss Hotline, offers free nationwide consultation to bereaved owners on a 24-hour basis. Call 1-800-946-4646, use keypad to punch in pin number 140-7211 and then your own phone number. The call will be returned immediately. New York City residents may be seen in person at the ASPCA headquarters.

University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., 3505 VMBSB, Urbana, IL 61802.
Phone: (217) 244-CARE (2273).

Center for Animals in Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Phone: (916) 752-4200 V/TDD, Monday-Friday 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Contact: Bonnie S. Mader, M.S., Associate Director/ Hotline Coordinator.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...