Monica, Chaplain at the Young Adult Site, shared this story about Aaliyah and her dog, Echo Gecko:
Recently Aaliyah lost her dog Echo to a rare disease. As she processed her grief with me, it became apparent that she also had interest in working in the Veterinary career field. With this insight, Aaliyah was encouraged to process her grief through writing, and use her new knowledge of this disease and share it with others.
These fliers she created will be distributed to our other sites, serving as both a tribute to Echo and helping dog owners recognize the signs and symptoms of the disorder to prevent further harm.
Pet ownership is a beautiful thing, and C@P acknowledges its importance for mental health by allowing one pet per guest as part of our commitment to providing comprehensive support. We also have partners committed to caring for those pets; they donate resources so these pets can receive care white their owners are in our program.
Aaliyah’s story, while deeply sad, exemplifies the power of sharing our pain with others. By opening up about her experience, she has not only found a path to healing but also offers support to those facing similar struggles. I’m inspired by her passion for animals and her courage in processing her grief in this way!