Book Cover (with Non-Fiction Book Gold Award)

Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss

An Animal Lover's Guide to Grief

by Anne Marie Farage-Smith, LMHC


Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss is designed to help readers understand the bond they have with their pets and why losing them is uniquely painful; aid them in understanding the grief they experience in the aftermath of that loss; and teach them the skills they need to process this loss. In these pages, licensed mental health counselor Anne Marie Farage-Smith offers detailed explanations of the types of grief that one may encounter upon the loss or impending loss of a pet and provides validation for the emotions experienced in relation to that loss. She also reminds readers that help is available, and gives actionable criteria for the reader to determine when professional assistance is needed and how to find it.

Containing a variety of deliberately open-ended writing exercises Farage-Smith has seen help others to understand and heal their grief, as well as suggestions for a variety of ways to honor and remember one’s pet, Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss is the loving, supportive grief journey companion every bereaved pet parent needs.


ISBN-10: 1647426766
ISBN-13: 9781647426767
OCN: 1390917133
Published by: She Writes Press
Published: June 4, 2024
Distributed by: Simon & Schuster


“Readers who have experienced the trauma of pet loss will deeply appreciate the valuable wisdom in these pages.

A compassionate, practical, and useful series of approaches for dealing with pet loss.”

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“Anne Marie Farage-Smith writes with authority and loving empathy, offering compassionate knowledge to readers during this painful time.”

Five Stars

Five Star, Readers' Favorite

“Anne Marie provides wonderful insight to the dynamic challenges of pet loss and the grief that accompanies it in an inclusive and accepting way. Her exercises and writing prompts are so helpful for learning to cope before, during, and after the loss of a beloved pet.”
Dr. Isabel Wylie, VMD
“Anne Marie’s empathy and caring radiate from every page of this book.”
Signe M. Kastberg, PhD, LMHC
“An important and eloquently written book that presents valuable knowledge for pet owners and their mental health providers.”
Robert H. Rice, Jr., PhD, LMHC
Professor, Mental Health Counseling Program Chair, St. John Fisher University
“…a gift of love for anyone who is experiencing the loss of a cherished pet. Farage-Smith provides the reader with a deeper understanding of the experience of losing their pet and the tools and techniques to help them move through their grief. The author brings her experience as a mental health counselor and her own journey of loving and losing pets to the reader. I will definitely be recommending this book to my clients and friends.”
Nancy E. Harris, LMHC
“Written with sensitivity and understanding, Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss offers a unique look at our grief reactions related to our pets… I particularly liked this volume's focus on the diverse reactions that people experience, and how working through grief is an individual process that might be different from the reactions of others. I am pleased to recommend this book for all who live with companion animals as well as those who work alongside them. It is a thoughtful and very useful addition to the literature.”
Risë VanFleet, PhD, RPT-S, CDBC, CAEBC-I
Founder and President, International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy®
Co-author, Animal Assisted Play Therapy



An outdoor portrait of Anne Marie Farage-Smith. Farmland is visible in the background, through a gazebo.

About the Author...

Anne Marie Farage-Smith, LMHC

Anne Marie Farage-Smith is a lifelong animal lover and an advocate for all animals. She holds a master of science degree in mental health counseling from St. John Fisher University and a master of science degree in education from Nazareth University, and is a Pet Loss Grief Counseling Trained Professional. As a licensed mental health counselor and educator in private practice in Rochester, she has offered clinical guidance to many individuals and groups experiencing grief and loss. She is the founder of the Rochester Center for Pet Grief and Loss. Anne Marie's book, Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss, is a Gold Winner from the Nonfiction Authors Association. She currently resides in Rochester, NY, where she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting local parks with her dog, Jazzy, traveling, and pursuing creative activities.


Author Appearances and Book Signings

Meet Anne Marie at these events!

March 8, 2025
Saturday
3:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Reading Series: Literary Partners

Writers & Books: Rochester, NY
Neighborhood of the Arts

740 University Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607-1259
(585) 473-2590

View Event Details

March 15, 2025
Saturday
2 p.m. — 4 p.m.

In-Store Author Event and Book Signing

Barnes & Noble: Webster, NY
Webster Towne Center

1070 Ridge Road
Webster, NY 14580
(585) 872-9710

View Event Details


Author Podcast Guest Appearances

Listen to Anne Marie on these Podcasts!

Grief, Gratitude & The Gray in Between with Kendra Rinaldi

Episode 190. Heartfelt Farewells: Navigating Pet Loss and Grief with Anne Marie Farage-Smith

2025-02-26 · 48:20

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Grief, Gratitude & The Gray in Between

The Balanced Parent Podcast with Laura Froyen, PhD

Episode 203: Supporting Children Through the Grief of Pet Loss with Anne Marie Farage-Smith

2024-11-12 · 33:40

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The Balanced Parent Podcast

Caring Caregiver Show with Savy Makalena

Episode S13 E3: Pet Loss and Your Care Portfolio!

2024-10-20 · 54:08

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Caring Caregiver Show

Rainbow Bridge Connection with Kayla & Nikki

Episode 16 Season 4: Pet Loss and Grief Support

2024-10-14 · 1:02:26

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Rainbow Bridge Connection

Animal Soulmates with Dr. Abbie Viscardi

S 2 Ep 20: A Licensed Mental Health Counselor Offering Pet Grief and Loss Support

2024-10-01 · 1:06:24

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Animal Soulmates

Talking About Kids with R. Bradley Snyder

Episode S4, E4: How to help a child cope with the loss of a pet with Anne Marie Farage-Smith

2024-09-23 · 34:39

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Talking About Kids

Aging Matters with Cheryl Beversdorf

Episode 209: Pet Loss w/ Anne Marie Farage-Smith, pet loss grief counseling professional 8/27/24

2024-08-27 · 58:00

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Aging Matters

All My Children Wear Fur Coats with Peggy Hoyt

Anne Marie Farage-Smith - Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss

2024-07-25 · 26:38

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All My Children Wear Fur Coats

Dog Words with Phil Hatterman

Episode 0513: Author Anne Marie Farage-Smith

2024-07-09 · 33:09

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Dog Words

Grief Observed Podcast with Brad Morrell

Episode 60 Grief Conversations with Anne Marie Farage-Smith (Pet Loss)

2024-06-27 · 56:43

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Grief Observed Podcast

Never Just a Dog with John Littlefair

Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss: Anne Marie Farage-Smith

2024-06-11 · 23:24

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Never Just a Dog





“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose…

…all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”


Copyright © 2024 Anne Marie Farage-Smith









































































“I'm proud of my Mom! She really knows her stuff — practically, academically, from multiple points-of-view, and first-hand. She worked really hard on this book and had a incredible team of readers, editors, designers, publishers, and printers…

You should buy her book!”