Pet Loss Professionals Alliance To Hold 2nd Annual Conference

Approximately 100 pet loss professionals and veterinarians will gather March 8-11 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Second Annual Pet Loss Professionals Alliance Conference.

Dr. Marty Becker, known as “America’s veterinarian” for his roles on “Good Morning America” and “The Dr. Oz Show” and as a regular contributor to Parade Magazine, will provide the keynote address. In “You Have to Know the Heights of Love to Understand the Depths of Loss,” Becker will share his insights into the human-pet connection and its implications for those working with pet owners at a time of loss.

Complete program details and registration materials for the conference can be found on the PLPA Web site at .

The conference is being held in conjunction with the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association’s 2011 Convention & Exposition. In addition to Becker’s keynote address, the conference will include admission to the ICCFA’s 400+ booth Expo Hall and its General Sessions as well as to a variety of breakout sessions focusing specifically on pet loss topics:

• Pet Care/Pet Loss: Working Together to Serve Families – This roundtable session will bring together veterinarians and pet loss professionals for an interactive discussion of how the two groups can work together at both the local and national levels to best serve families at their time of need. Panelists will include Dr. Marty Becker and Dr. Amir Shanan of Compassionate Veterinary Care, Chicago, Illinois.

• Pet Cremations: A Blueprint for Limiting Liability – Attorney and funeral director Poul Lemasters will introduce model forms, practices and procedures to help pet loss professionals limit mistakes or misunderstandings that can lead to legal action.

• PLPA Definitions, Standards and Education – The PLPA Standards and Ethics Committee and the PLPA Education Committee are putting together a variety of documents, tools and curricula aimed at increasing professionalism among pet loss care providers. Coleen Ellis of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center, Greenwood, Indiana, and Bill Remkus of Hillsdale Animal Cemetery & Crematory, Willowbrook, Illinois, will share the “state of the PLPA” and the many resources being made available to members and the industry.

• Improving the Efficiency of Your Pet Crematory – Jon Remkus, Hillsdale Animal Cemetery & Crematory, Willowbrook, Illinois, and Ron Salvatore, Matthews Cremation Division, will explore the science behind pet cremations and share practical advice for making the most efficient use of a pet retort.

• 50 Marketing Secrets for Your Pet Loss Business: Give Pet Parents the Opportunity to Find You! From using social media to conducting satisfaction surveys to pursuing unusual prospecting avenues, Coleen Ellis will provide dozens of ideas to help pet loss professionals spread the word about their services.

• Marketing Channels That Work – This panel discussion will explore several methods for marketing pet loss products and services, including direct to families, via charitable pet organizations and via veterinarians. Panelists will include Larry Omps, Omps Funeral Homes and All Pets Cremation Center, Winchester, Virginia, and Ron Zartman, Holland Columbarium Inc.

• Selling to Survive – Renowned sales professional and speaker Gary O’Sullivan, CCE, will share his philosophies and techniques for professionally, ethically and caringly explaining the value of pet loss products and services to veterinary offices and to families.