Diane received her Ph.D. in Communications in 1979 from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where she also taught in the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre. - For over 25 years, she has worked in a wide variety of capacities in the entertainment industry both in New York and Los Angeles. Beginning her career at NBC, she went on to work for CBS and WNET (PBS affiliate) in New York, then for KNBC, KWHY Channel 22 (the Business Channel), Metromedia and Fox Broadcasting in Los Angeles. Her television production experience includes such programs as NBC's Sports shows "NFL Live" and "Grandstand", CBS' "Captain Kangaroo", PBS' "MacNeill/Lehrer Report", "Bill Moyer's Journal", "The Dick Cavett Show", "Theatre in America", "Dance in America" and the nationally syndicated magazine shows, "PM Magazine" and "Healthbeat". After establishing her own video/public relations business with a partner in 1985, she served as Executive Producer as well as Director and Writer of numerous educational, corporate and promotional videos. Providing both video and public relations services, her client list has included BMW of North America, the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Great Western Financial Corporation, the Los Angeles Mayor's Department for the Disabled, the Biltmore Hotel, Jupiter Hospital Corporation, Rodale Press, the Bogdana Corporation along with many performers, authors, physicians, restaurateurs, etc. She is currently President and owner of the Polaire Entertainment Group, a multi-media umbrella organization dedicated to producing high quality television/film/video programming, books and publications that are compelling, entertaining and socially significant. With this goal in mind, Polaire has been creatively involved with a variety of programs, books and publications. The Polaire Entertainment Group has established professional affiliations with The World Health Organization, UNICEF, Child Welfare League of America, Pan American World Health Organization, Carter Presidential Center, National Council for International Health, International Red Cross and Red Crescent. Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the National Easter Seal Society. Dr. Pomerance is the recipient of numerous academic and professional awards including the Film Advisory Board's Award of Excellence. She has served as seminar coordinator for the American Film Institute and has lectured throughout Southern California. She is also the author of numerous articles. In addition she has served on the board of Mainstreet Children's Foundation and on the Grants Review Committee of the Los Angeles Women's Foundation (LAWF). A member of the Director's Guild of America (DGA), she also belongs to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG), the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the American Counseling Association. She has also received certification as a Grief Recovery Specialist from the internationally recognized Grief Recovery Institute and has completed the writing of a pet grief counselor training manual for the SPCA of Texas. She has created and established the Pet Grief Counseling Program for the SPCA of Texas which incorporates grief support groups, one-on-one counseling, telephone counseling, volunteer education and training, etc. She has also written the highly acclaimed children's nonfiction book on pet loss, "When Your Pet Dies" which teaches children how to cope with and recover from not only the loss of a beloved companion animal but the inevitable losses all of us experience. She is also the author of "Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers & Guides", "Animal Companions: In Our Hearts, Our Lives & Our World.", Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions", "Finding Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion", and her most recent book "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for You." Dr. Pomerance has been listed in "Who's Who of American Women", "Who's Who in America", "Who's Who Worldwide" and the "Who's Who Registry of Business Leaders" as an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in her profession. She has also been interviewed as a grief and pet expert for countless newspapers, and magazines, as well as on hundreds of radio and television programs throughout the United States and Canada. Dr. Pomerance counsels those grieving from any loss; however, she has a special interest in those mourning the loss of a beloved companion animal. As a writer, teacher, counselor and animal lover, she recognizes that the loss of a pet can be devastating to adults as well as children. Dr. Pomerance is an active volunteer for the SPCA of Texas, K-9 Friends Visting Therapy Dogs of GTDOG, and the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League. She lives in North Texas with her husband and eighteen canine "kids" they have rescued and adopted. - www.animalpeopleandtheircompanions.com