A program created for Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America
How to begin the conversation about the end of your dog's life before you need to so you're better prepared when you have to.
A Program/Coaching for anyone who lives with and loves a dog
What It Is
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
This one-of-a-kind 3-part program helps us begin our conversation in a gentle and safe space. Groups meet on Zoom once a week for 3 weeks (or individually if you prefer). Using a booklet as a guide, we learn that there is no "single way" or "one way" forward - there is only what is right for each of us. This helps us claim what is importa
This one-of-a-kind 3-part program helps us begin our conversation in a gentle and safe space. Groups meet on Zoom once a week for 3 weeks (or individually if you prefer). Using a booklet as a guide, we learn that there is no "single way" or "one way" forward - there is only what is right for each of us. This helps us claim what is important to us now and in the future. "Talking Now Helps Later" helps us begin the conversation before we need to so we're in a better position when we have to. And because it's open only to GSMDCA members for now, we'll be with others who live with and love Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs!
photo credit: Cathy Hammer
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Because our dogs cannot speak for themselves we bear the responsibility to make decisions throughout their life. Everyday, people suffer the "should-have's, would-have's and could-have's" because they weren't prepared to make decisions within their circumstances. This often leads to regret and guilt, which complicates the grief process a
Because our dogs cannot speak for themselves we bear the responsibility to make decisions throughout their life. Everyday, people suffer the "should-have's, would-have's and could-have's" because they weren't prepared to make decisions within their circumstances. This often leads to regret and guilt, which complicates the grief process and impairs healing. "Talking Now Helps Later" helps us gain the insight and clarity necessary to make better decisions so we can avoid the confusion, inaction and misunderstandings that lead to unnecessary suffering for our dog, for us, and for everyone involved.
How It Helps
Why It Matters
How It Helps
We have a transformational opportunity to improve our whole lived experience from the very first day we pick up our puppy or bring an older dog into our home. While there's no way to know how much time we have together, beginning the conversation before we need to helps ensure that planning ahead is welcomed and not feared. And we learn h
We have a transformational opportunity to improve our whole lived experience from the very first day we pick up our puppy or bring an older dog into our home. While there's no way to know how much time we have together, beginning the conversation before we need to helps ensure that planning ahead is welcomed and not feared. And we learn how we can help ourselves and others so we’ll all be in a better position to make decisions when the time comes. Program participants report experiencing more joy in every day rather than holding fear about the future in every moment.
photo credit: Debbie Fields
Pawsitive Impact
Everyone knows the plan
Happier and less stressed
Happier and less stressed
"I feel better knowing there's a plan in place. Obviously I'm not thrilled with what the end result may be, but knowing I don't need to panic and that everyone knows the plan definitely helps." ~ Stacy, FL (Aussie)
Happier and less stressed
Happier and less stressed
Happier and less stressed
"It's important conversation and it was actually enjoyable. I learned a lot. I've been happier and less stressed since the program. Everyone should do this."
~ GSMDCA Member
Gratitude in an emergency
Happier and less stressed
Gratitude in an emergency
"Our discussions and the workbook helped me talk through what I wanted and how to ask for help. An emergency made it necessary to use what I learned long before I thought I would, and I am grateful to have had time to think things through." ~ GSMDCA Member
about Tracey Brant, trusted guide and mentor-coach
Mission
Tracey is on a mission to help people who love dogs begin their own conversation and created a unique 14-page booklet and pilot program to guide the process.
photo credit: Denise Mitterando
A Personal Message from Tracey
Chances are you will outlive your Swissy. I have outlived many, and each time I remember it being difficult to imagine how I'd survive the experience of their death or envision my life without them.
Looking back, none of their deaths was completely as I'd wished, although two came very close and I know I did the best I could within the circumstances at the time. The truth is, I've had plenty of experience being unprepared to make good decisions and remember being even less prepared to make them on a moment's notice. Today I know better, and I want that for you, too.
We don't usually talk in advance about what things we might want (or not) at the end-of-life, the range of choices and possibilities available now and later, the "should we because we can" considerations, our individual circumstances, who we trust and may want to help us with our decisions, or the myriad of other issues and complications that can arise; at the end of our lives, the lives of our loved ones or at the end of our dog's life. It's time to change that.
There are many benefits to beginning the conversation sooner than later. Talking about the end-of-life helps us better prepare and guides our decisions, decreases and eases suffering, and helps avoid unresolved grief. Beginning the conversation before we need to also leads the way to living a more fulfilled and joyful life right now.
photo of Tracey and Cash - credit: Deb Watrous
Tracey's Background
Tracey has lived with and loved Swissies since 1998 and is a proud 24+ year member of the GSMDCA.
She is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, an Organizational Ombuds, and is trained in Grief Relief, Recovery and Resilience, Pet Loss Support and as an End-Of-Life Doula (for people) and Companion Animal Doula (for people and their pets). She holds a BS in Animal Science from Cornell University and MS in Animals and Public Policy from the Cummings Veterinary College at Tufts University. In between, she was a Cooperative Extension Animal Science Agent, Equestrian Institute Breeding Department Chair, and Theriogenology Technician.
Tracey was called to this work at an early age. One particularly impactful experience was the untimely death of a beloved stallion under her care, and the death of horse's veterinarian in the same week. The horse suffered an orthopedic injury which required surgery and was euthanized in the recovery stall after the surgery failed. The veterinarian who performed both the surgery and euthanasia took his own life shortly after.
Today, Tracey knows how to do better. Her work aims to embolden people to make the best life and death decisions they can for those in their care.
In 2019, she received the GSMDCA AKC Sportsmanship Award at the GSMDCA National Specialty and began to wonder how she could best serve the GSMD community. After navigating a surprising life-limiting diagnosis and unexpected death of a young Swiss in December 2020, Tracey created a booklet and pilot program to help others do the same; a love offering of sorts to honor the lives of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and their people...the ones here now, and the many we hold in our heart
Why it's important
The decisions you make at the end of your dog's life will be with you for the rest of yours...
Individual Coaching available by appointment
photo credit: Joshua Gauthier