Helping Clients Cope with the Death of a Pet
June 9, 2009 – 8:06 am
The death of a beloved pet can be as traumatic as losing a family member. During this difficult time, your small gestures can do a lot to help ease your clients’ pain.
For clients deciding to euthanize their pet, offer a complimentary session to discuss sedatives, hospice care and death with the entire family. Consider making a clay print of the pet’s paw for clients to take home as a keepsake.
When an animal dies, designate a room for counseling or for the clients to just be alone. Before they leave, offer them a small gift, such as a pet angel pin, a black “Remember” wristband, or a stuffed animal for children. After a week or so, send a sympathy card, signed by each of your team members, perhaps with a bouquet of flowers.
It’s a good idea to have books about grieving on hand for clients to borrow or purchase. Some books to consider include Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet by Gary Kowalski (Stillpoint Publishing); Grieving the Death of a Pet by Betty J. Carmack (Augsburg Fortress); The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife (Wiley Publishing, Inc.); or When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering, and Healing by Alan Wolfelt, PhD (Companion Press). For children, consider Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (The Blue Sky Press) or When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers (of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood) from his excellent First Experiences collection (Family Communications Inc.).
Some people grieve for up to two years after their pet dies, so consider having a remembrance ceremony once a year. You might also decorate your holiday tree with ornaments in memory of the pets in your practice who have died. Some practices hire a companion animal loss counselor and offer individual and group pet-loss support sessions for clients and the community.
Pet parents who are struggling with grief need understanding, support and friendship. The little things you do can go a long way towards helping them cope.
What are some of the ways that you help clients manage their grief when their pet dies?
-Jim
