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H e a l i n g BirchBark's Pet Loss Grief Support Program offers comfort and a safe place for healing after the devastating loss of a pet. One-on-one and group Zoom sessions are offered at no cost to members of our community. H a p p i n e s s Our free Educational Webinars enhance the precious bond we share with our pets. A pet's unconditional love, sense of fun, and appreciation of the simple things increases our joy in life. H o p e In partnership with veterinary clinics and hospitals in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties, our PetAid Financial Assistance Program provides hope and support to economically vulnerable pet families faced with unaffordab le veterinary emergencies. Learn more, give, or volunteer! Visit birchbarkfoundation.org No matter who you are, what trials and tribula- tions you experience at home or in the office, or what uncertainties tomorrow will bring, here is something we can all count on: that our pets will look up at us adoringly; that they will unhesitatingly express their gratitude for our presence; and that they will teach us, by exam- ple, how to appreciate the most important and most simple pleasures in life. It is no surprise that the companionship of a beloved animal can be a life-changing gift. At the heart of Birch- Bark's mission is a profound respect and appreciation for the importance of this gift, and a belief that the human-animal bond deserves support at all stages – in daily life, in times of crisis, and in times of loss. Our three core pro- grams holistically em- brace these values. Our Educational Webinars, offered quarterly and at no cost to the public, help families become stronger, more knowl- edgeable, and more com- passionate advocates for their pets. Our PetAid Financial Assistance pro- gram delivers a lifeline to the most economically vulnerable families in our community when they are faced with a vet- erinary emergency. And our Pet Loss Grief Support program honors the hu- man-animal bond when it feels fractured by loss. Over the past ten years of operation, each of our pro- grams have grown steadily, reflecting our community's need for these programs, as well as our success in delivering them. In the last four years, the number of pets and families we have financially supported through our PetAid Finan- cial Assistance program has nearly tripled. Our Educational Webinars and Pet Loss Grief Support programs have seen similar growth. With the support of our donors and com- munity partners, last year our programs were able to serve over 500 families. Growth of Pet Loss Grief Support Program We are particularly grateful to have been able to expand our Pet Loss Grief Support program this year. Thanks to a new partnership with Shine a Light Counseling, as well as continued relationships with independent counsel- ors, we expect to increase the number of bereaved pet families we serve by up to 70% this year. In weekly one-on-one and group Zoom sessions with licensed therapists, our Pet Loss Grief Support program offers no-cost counseling to individuals grieving the loss – or antic- ipated loss – of a beloved pet. Grief after the loss of a pet may be uniquely pain- ful. Pets are profoundly important to people of all ages, and they offer unique and significant physical, social, psychological, and even cognitive benefits. For those who are socially isolated, a pet may be a primary source of compan- ionship. Relationships with pets are uncomplicated and rewarding in ways that are rarely possible in relation- ships with other people. Our Pet Loss Grief Sup- port program offers a safe space where those grieving the loss of a pet may recognize the depth of their loss and honor the love they shared with their pet. BirchBark and the Com- munity While BirchBark's mission is centered around our ap- preciation for the relation- ship between people and their pets, our operations are driven by our relation- ships with other people! That's because BirchBark is not just an organization for the community, but of the community. Our 30+ Veterinary Part- ners generously discount their services for PetAid Financial Assistance re- cipients, ensuring not only that critical veterinary care is within reach for these most economically vulner- able families, but also that our donors' contributions achieve their maximum impact. Every day, our Veterinary Partners demon- strate their compassion and their skill in saving lives to secure the bond between pets and their families. We are so grateful for the BirchBark: Protecting and Honoring the Human-Animal Bond By BirchBark Foundation partnership of the vets in our community. In addition to our Vet- erinary Partners, we are supported by individuals like you! During COVID, our volunteer program shut down. Now, we are ready to revitalize our volunteer base! Whether you have regular hours to give, or just a couple spare hours to share, there are plenty of ways you can lend your time and talents to make an impact for BirchBark and the pets and families we serve. Some of the volunteer positions we are currently looking to fill include performing outreach, fundraising, helping with social media, and carrying out adminis- trative tasks. Every day, our pets give us so much to be thankful for. We hope you will consider giving back by supporting the work that, together, we do at Birch- Bark! To learn more about BirchBark, visit our web- site at birchbarkfoundation. org, give us a call at (831) 471-7255, or visit our new office at 9029 Soquel Ave., Suite F. in Santa Cruz. Contributed Photo

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