In Izzy and Lenore, Katz tells the story of his simple life on Bedlam Farm in upstate New York. The story revolves around Katz’s love for his growing menagerie of farm animals – particularly his dogs, whose distinct and colorful personalities come alive in Katz’s writing – and the love they returned to him. And yes, it’s a story about loss and grief; but most of all, Izzy and Lenore is a story of the amazing power of animals to comfort and heal.

Being a hospice volunteer is a noble calling, but it’s not for everyone. Many people shy away from even considering taking on such a mission, convinced that frequent contact with illness, death, and grief would be too depressing to bear. That’s what Katz’s friends and family told him when he announced his plan to join the local hospice team and provide comfort and support to terminally ill patients and their families during the final stage of life.

Finding redemption in helping others
What his family didn’t realize was that Katz – a prolific writer who has penned a book a year since 1990 while serving as a regular contributor to publications like Slashdot, Wired and Rolling Stone – was already sinking into a crippling depression. In fact, one of the reasons Katz wanted to volunteer with hospice was his hope that reaching out to help others would help to lift him from sadness and self-absorption.

The depression settled in after Katz was diagnosed with diabetes, during a particularly long and harsh winter on the farm. A social worker Katz met at one of his book readings had talked to him about the need for hospice volunteers and suggested that it might be possible to bring his dogs into service as well. “I was drawn to hospice work because I wanted to do something with my dogs that was more meaningful than some of the traditional dog-human activities, like sheepherding or even conventional therapy work,” Katz says.

When Katz expressed his desire to have his border collie, Izzy, join him in service as a hospice volunteer, hospice officials met his request with enthusiasm tempered by a dash of caution. Both Katz and Izzy took part in rigorous training exercises to make sure they had the temperament to succeed as hospice volunteers.

Unconditional love and devotion
One of the most moving themes in Izzy and Lenore is Izzy’s remarkable ability to sense a patient’s mood and needs and respond accordingly. When a patient died, for example, Izzy instinctively transferred her attention from the deceased to the grieving family. In time, Katz’s affectionate Labrador, Lenore, also joined the hospice volunteer team, and the two dogs brought love and comfort to every hospice patient and family they visited.

Whether Katz recovered from his depression because of his hospice work or because of the unconditional love he received from his animals, one thing is clear throughout the story: everyone loves Izzy and Lenore.

Nancy Sherman, Director of Bereavement Services for the Center for Grief & Healing with Hospice of the North Shore, says support groups provide an answer for many people. According to Sherman, support groups “offer a safe place where people who are hurting come together to work through their grief.” Supportive family members, friends and therapists have their place in grief recovery, but drawing support from and giving support to others who are going through the same thing provides a kind of help one can’t find elsewhere. According to one support group member cited by Sherman, “Hearing how others feel makes you feel you’re not alone.”

Still, people are often wary of participating in groups, according to Sherman. Many are simply uncomfortable with the notion of talking about their feelings in front of others, while others hold misconceptions about support groups that prevent them from opening themselves to the relief and healing a group can offer. Following are five popular myths about grief support groups, countered by reality.

Myth: Everyone in the group has to talk.
Reality: Although the group is formed on the premise that talking through your grief is helpful, no one is forced to talk. Grief groups are non-threatening gatherings, and many people are helped simply by listening.

Myth: My grief isn’t as severe (or important, or serious) as others.
Reality: Although grief is a universal experience, everyone’s grief is different. Bereaved individuals are encouraged not to compare themselves to anyone else. The common bond is the need for help in coping with grief.

Myth: A grief support group will be depressing.
Reality: In fact, many find the opposite to be true. Group participants feeling relieved and uplifted when they realize they are not alone in their emotions. Groups provide a supportive environment where people can feel release their emotions to make room for healing.

Myth: My loss happened a long time ago; I’ll feel silly to bring it up now.
Reality: Grief follows no timetable. Many milestone events – weddings, anniversaries or birthdays, for example – can trigger memories that make the loss feel painfully new. A support group can help people cope with a loss, no matter when that loss occurred.

Myth: Grief support groups are only for the families of people who received foster care.
Reality: Although grief support groups are often (but not always) sponsored by hospice organizations, services are usually open to anyone who has experienced a loss, often at no charge or for a small fee. The generous donations of grateful participants help support these programs.

In truth, then, support groups offer hope for the future to anyone who’s grieving. To find a support group near you, contact your local hospice organization.