A veterinarian who wrote a book on helping children deal with the loss of a pet now wants to get her book in libraries and elementary schools so all children can benefit from her message. That book is Being Brave for Bailey, written by Michigan-based veterinarian Corey Gut, DVM. Dr. Gut wrote the book for her niece, Lexie. According to the book’s website, “[Lexie] had an aging dog named Bailey that developed liver cancer. Lexie's mom is a teacher and knew that bibliotherapy [teaching children through reading a story] would be the best way to introduce the topic of losing a pet in a non-threatening and loving way.” Gut wants to send 500 copies of her books to libraries and elementary schools. Gut started a Kickstarter page, writing on the page, “We need to get the book into the libraries and elementary schools so we can reach the families during the time when they need it. That's where we need YOUR help!” Her goal is to raise $9,000 by Memorial Day to pay for printing and shipping costs. She is on track to meet that goal; as of press time, she has raised $8,415. Gut is no stranger to this subject matter. According to the book’s website: “Over the years, Dr. Corey was often asked for assistance and tools to help explain the loss of a pet to young children. The death of a family pet is often a child's first experience with loss and parents need a tool to broach the sensitive subject, especially since they are grieving at this time as well. After extensive research and assistance from an elementary counselor, she wrote and published Being Brave for Bailey. It is her goal to make a book available in every library in the United States so that families have access to this resource when they need it.” Gut’s mother, Jaime Myers, illustrated the book.
