Grief Lending Library

An essential part of the Academy, the Kim Peterson Memorial Grief Lending Library houses an extensive collection of books and resources for all ages, available for check out.

Located at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway (3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines), the library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Use the below categories to assist with your search.

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Anticipatory Grief
  • Children and Terminal Illness
  • Children's Books
  • Death of a Child
  • Death of a Partner
  • Death of a Pet
  • General Adult Grief
  • Helping Teens and Children
  • Professionals
  • Spanish Language
  • Sudden Death
  • Teen Books

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Search Results for Loss of a Pet

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Title Author Description Category Topics Location
Healing Solutions for Pet Loss Summers, Kenda (Self Published, 2020)

 A road map for those of you who are heartbroken, lost, feel alone, and full of sadness over the loss of your beloved pet. This book is filled with healing information and provides a deep understanding of what you are going through.
155.9 S
Journey Through Pet Loss Grief: A Compassionate Guide to Healing After Losing Your Beloved Companion, The Reynolds, Tamera (Tamera Reynolds, 2025)

This book is designed to be a comforting space to help you process loss, honor memories, and begin to heal at your own pace after the death of a pet. It recognizes the immense pain that comes with it, and validate emotions that you are feeling
155.9 R
Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies, The Sife, Wallace (Howell Book House, 2014)

This book includes a significant perspective on considering the meaning of afterlife for us and our pets. Covering topics like the grieving process, children and death, euthanasia, and emotional considerations, this book can offer comfort to those of any viewpoint.
155.9 S
Pet Loss Companion, The Vecchio, Ken Dolan-Del and Saxton-Lopez, Nancy (Independently Published, 2013)

This book allows you to hear multiple different persepectives on others stories with pet loss, support groups, and practicing family therapy. You get to hear from professionals on their recommendations for taking care of yourself and your loved ones throughout grief.
155.9 V
Saying Good-bye to the Pet You Love Greene, Lorri A. and Jaquelyn Landis (New Harbinger Publications, 2002)

Until now, not much help has been available for those who have lost a pet. Saying Good-bye to the Pet You Love, written by a psychologist with twenty years of experience as a pet bereavement specialist, helps you understand the very special human-animal bond, which, in turn, can help you deal with your terrible loss.
155.9 G
Talking With Children About Loss: words, strategies, and wisdom to help children cope with death, divorce, and other difficult times Trozzi, Maria (Perigee, 1999)

Through stories and thoughtful analysis, Maria explains how to handle the difficult job of talking with children and adolescents about loss. Includes information about divorce, Death of a Pet, death of a family member, the disabling of a sibling and more.
  • All Losses
 155.9 T
Wait for Me in the Rainbow Vidal, Laura (Laura Vidal, 2022)

After the loss of a pet, this book helps to explain with simply words and funny stories, how to move forward in your grief. It discusses the importance of empathy, the power of resilience, and how to know when, or if, you may be ready to have another furry family member.
155.9 V
When Your Marriage Dies: practical answers when divorce seems inevitable Petherbridge, Laura (Life Journey, 2005)

Regardless of who filed and for what reason, divorce causes a grief unlike any other. There is loss on both sides, and sometimes a feeling of not knowing how to be single. Author Laura Petherbridge has been there, and shares her own foolish mistakes. A veteran of Christian ministry, she directs the reader to biblical preventions and solutions to these common mistakes.
  • Divorce
 248.8 P
You Can Heal Your Heart: Finding Peace After a Breakup, Divorce, or Death Hay, Louise and Kessler, David (Hay House Publishing, 2014)

Louise and David discuss the emotions and thoughts that occur when a relationship leaves you brokenhearted, a marriage ends in divorce, or a loved one dies. They will also help you develop greater self-awareness and compassion, providing you with the courage and tools to face many other types of losses and challenges, such as saying good-bye to a beloved pet, losing your job, coming to terms with a life-threatening illness or disease, and much more.
  • All Losses
 155.9 H