Forum To Help Remember Our Pets And What They Can Teach Us

In recognition of National Pet Memorial Day, the Emerson Forum is presenting a program that honors pets and the lessons about life and love that they can teach us. The Forum will be held Saturday, September 7, 2013, at the Stetson College of Law Center in downtown Tampa, 1700 N. Tampa Street, three blocks north of the Straz Center. There is free parking on campus.

The conference begins at 10 a.m.  Refreshments and small group discussions will follow the morning presentations.

Three professionals will share their wisdom, experience and emotions in living with pets and in dealing with hard, end of life decisions that face all pet owners.  All attending the conference will have similar opportunities in small group discussions.

Dr. Dani McVety, the founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice (www.lapoflove.com), will provide the keynote address on “What We Can Learn About Life From The Death Of A Pet.”

Nikki McQueen, the vice president of Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center (www.andersonmcqueen.com), will describe the common grief shared by pet owners and families in dealing with the death of loved ones—both human and animal.

Brock Leach, Vice President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, (www.uusc.org) will share his perspectives, as a pet owner, chaplain and international business executive.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.emersonforum.tix.com for $25 before August 7 and for $35 if purchased after that date.

Remembering Your Pet(s)

Those who purchase tickets by August 7 will be invited to send a picture of their pet(s) for inclusion in a music video presentation, to be shown at the conference.

Anyone wishing to include a written tribute in the program honoring the memory of their pet may do so by sending the name of their pet and a check for $10 by August 7 to the “Emerson Center of Tampa Bay,” 11400 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa 33637.