About Us

Shiri's Story: Founding Director, CCPLB

Israel born Shiri R. Joshua, M.A.(Counselling Psych) has been working as an animal healer, speaker, writer, and psycho-spiritual therapist for almost a decade, and is a national expert in the fields of the Attachment Studies, Psychology of the Human-Animal Bond, and Pet Loss Bereavement. An intuitive "Animal Whisperer," Shiri was inspired by the profound grief response often felt when losing a beloved animal companion, and in 2002 founded the Canadian Centre for Pet Loss Bereavement (CCPLB) with a vision in mind to become a national umbrella of professional services wishing to normalize and bring awareness into this sensitive issue.

Shiri's work has been and continues to be featured at various media venues such as Global TV, CITY TV, The Pet Network, CTS TV, The Globe & Mail, Best Health Magazine (Reader's Digest), Toronto 24 Hours, Vancouver's CKNW Radio, and more.

Shiri relocated from Toronto to Vancouver in 2007 and is the owner and director of the Shiri Joshua's Centre for Human & Animal Healing offering a variety of unique services promoting harmony and psychological wellbeing between pets and their people.

Angie's Story

Angie Rupra

Angie Rupra, R.S.W., M.S.W., is the Pet Loss Coordinator with Pet Vet Hospitals in Ontario (currently on a leave of absence). While experiencing the intense mourning journey after her companion pet and best friend, Montey passed away, Angie became involved in supporting others dealing with pet loss.

She provides a range of free supports to people during their time of loss including telephone support, email support, monthly support groups, and short-term counselling. In addition, the Pet Loss Program is actively involved in public education through written materials, newsletters, World Pet Memorial Day as well as workshops and trainings.

Angie practices from anti-oppressive and critical approaches to social work. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Ryerson University, Masters of Social Work with York University, and Bereavement Education Certificate Program with Toronto Advanced Professional Education.