- The human-animal bond is a distinct type of relationship that enriches the lives of those involved
- This connection is often less complex and can be deeper than human relationships
- Pets remind us of our own purity and innocence, which we seldom feel comfortable sharing with people in our lives
- Sometimes we grieve more fully over the loss of a pet than for a family member
- Grief associated with the loss of a companion animal is often unacknowledged or 'disenfranchised'
- Society tends to underestimate both the importance of pets, and the impact of their death on animal owners
- Many people are left to mourn alone, fearing that others will not understand or will belittle their grief
What Clients Can Expect From Pet Grief Counseling
I will:
- Provide a safe and supportive environment to help the bereaved understand and reconcile the loss
- Listen attentively and with non-judgmental acceptance
- Normalize pet loss
- Use a ‘Person Centered Counseling’ approach: Allows each person to freely express all feelings and emotions
- Respect each person’s grief as a unique and individual process
- Educate clients on the distinctive issues related to losing a pet, and offer suggestions for healing (e.g. how to create memorial rituals)
- Discuss the differences in grief reactions depending on the circumstances surrounding the loss