Coping with Grief and Loss when an Animal Dies
Dr Vanessa Rohlf
This beautifully written post will resonate with everyone who has lost a pet - whether you work in the veterinary industry or your clients.
In the post, Vanessa describes her own feelings of loss after losing her much-loved dog 'Holly' and also suggests that there are four tasks that people generally go through while processing a loss:
1. Accept the loss
This involves facing the reality that the pet is gone, and isn't coming back - some days this can be easier than others.
2. Process the pain of loss
We need to be open and accepting of our feelings as well as give ourselves permission to experience both the psychological and physical reactions to grief.
3. Adjusting to a world without the loved one
Our relationship with our pets is often so close and so connected to our day-to-day life, that when a pet dies we experience the primary loss of their company but also the secondary loss of the routines associated with the pet.
4.Find an enduring connection with the deceased
This challenge requires us to find a way to continue our bond with the pet we have lost and perhaps open up the possibility of being able to connect with another.
The post also offers Tips for coping with grief and some excellent advice on How to support a friend who is grieving.
This is a post that's definitely worth adding to your list of client resources .