Pet Loss Grief Support

Pet Grief Counselor: Seeing That Grief Is Not Uniquely Human

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

When animals die, their close relatives and friends may be plunged into mourning. Commentator Barbara J. King writes about animal grief in her new book, citing examples seen in animals large and small.

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:
An interesting insight into the world of animals and how they grieve.  It is foolish to believe only humans grieve.  Pet grief counseling not only helps the person understand the loss of a pet but also to help understand the nature of the pet and its own grief.  If you are interested in the Pet Grief Counselor program, please click here

See on www.npr.org

Support for Pet Loss Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Support Groups for Pet Loss Grief?

With pet grief being one of the most forgotten griefs, grassroot groups within local areas are beginning to answer the call to pet loss grief.

The article “Humane Society starts grief group for support when pets die”, by Khalil AIHajal states

“The Michigan Humane Society is establishing a support group for grieving pet owners.  The Detroit-area animal welfare group announced Friday that it’s creating an opportunity for people who have lost pets to speak openly about their experiences and share photos and mementos.”

To read the entire article, please click here

To learn more about pet loss grief, and Support for Pet Loss Grief please click here

AIHCP

Knowing When One’s Pet is suffering

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Is Your Pet Suffering?

One of the most painful and grieving things is to see one’s pet suffer.  It is important as good pet owners to notice when our pet is suffering or in pain.  Below is an article with various tips about keeping a better eye on our pets and their physical well being.

If you are interested in pet grief counseling, please click here

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Is Important

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Why is Pet Loss Grief Counseling Important?

Pet Loss Grief Counseling is important because it caters to a disenfranchised group of grievers.  How many lose a pet but their grief is dismissed as inconsequential or not important because it did not involve a death of a friend or family  member?  Noone’s grief should ever be dismissed but accepted and recognized.
The reality is many people need help in overcoming the sorrows of losing a pet.  Children, the elderly, and pet lovers all need guidance when they lose a life long friend.  For some, a pet is all they have or ever tasted of love.  Pet Loss Grief Counseling can help people work through the sorrow of pet loss and find wholeness again.
You can become pet grief certified as well if you meet the basic requirements of the American Academy of Grief Counseling.
AIHCP

(Rev. Bears is a fictional character and is not a certified pet loss grief counselor)

Pets Grieve

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pets Grieve the Loss of Other Pets

In previous blogs we discussed the impact the loss of another pet can have on the surviving pet.  In this short blog, Jennifer Melvin, instructor for the Pet Loss Grief Program at AIHCP lists a few things to look out for in the surviving pet.

 

A dog’s reaction to the loss of a loved one, whether that be two legged or four, can be heartbreaking to watch. You may see the dog wandering around the house, sleeping in places it used to spend time with its companion or being “down”.  It is common for a dog to have behavioral and mood changes after a pet companion or person leaves and doesn’t return.  Most often what you might see is a decrease in appetite, being a bit more distant and melancholy or snuggling more and wanting more attention for reassurance.  Sometimes you’ll notice changes in their bathroom and elimination habits.  It’s not a lot different than humans in that the significance of the relationship is going to influence their reactions to the loss.  But, their support system is going to influence their movement through their grief.  So be patient, nurturing and soft with them.

In many ways, the surviving pet and you become partners in grief and can find solace in each others company as you grieve the loss of a mutual friend.

Mark Moran, MA

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs! Pet Counseling Advice for the Multi Pet Home

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Cats and Dogs Together? Pet Counseling Advice

Tom is always chased by Butch, isn’t he?  The reality is that the old myth of dogs chasing cats is not always true.  In fact, if introductions are made correctly between dog and cat, they can co-exist.  It is always best for kittens and puppies to grow together but if not, there still are chances, depending on the pet’s attitude of allowing the lamb to lie with the lion.

Jennifer Melvin, instructor for AIHCP’s Pet Grief Counseling Program has these words for those with a multi species pet home.
It is understood that genetics and personality play a big part in how cats and dogs behave.  But the nature vs nurture theory is questioned when shows like the Dog Whisperer remind us that the pet’s environment may have more influence on their actions than we think.  So, when facing the want to co-mingle dogs & cats we must consider all aspects noted.  If dealing with good natured and calm tempered animals then you are a step ahead of the game.  You are at the front of the line if you get a puppy and kitten at the same time!  Regardless, follow some guidelines such as:  introduce the animals slowly, let them smell each other before they see each other, supervise their interactions, don’t mix toys or food or other objects they could be territorial over, be patient and attentive to both pets and give them space- all at the same time!  They will feed off your energy so be calm.  And, give them time.  When they have an opportunity to realize they can trust each other for a consistent period of time they will relax around the other and before you know it they will be curling up together for one of those cute and cuddly photos to post on Facebook!  Or- they at least won’t be growling, hissing or hiding all of the time.

If you are interested in pet grief counseling or other pet knowledge, please review our website.
Mark Moran, MA

Pet Grief Counseling With "Putting a Pet Down"

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pet Grief Counseling: Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

One of the hardest things to accept for a pet owner is when to say goodbye to an old friend who is suffering.  It saddens one to see a pet they raised become crippled and suffering in their old age.  As the pet grows older and gray hairs emerge, the anxiety arises that one is a day closer to “putting down” one’s pet.   Memories of the young pup or kitten that used to jump and down are far gone and replaced with the imagery of an old man who would rather sleep.  These signs help prepare us for the inevitable day our pet becomes so old or sick that we must euthanize him.  Pet grief counseling can help one become stronger to face that day, but no matter the pet or the day, noone forgets the moment they walk into the vet’s office for the last time with their friend.   Yet, we all know when suffering becomes the norm for our friend, we have little choice but to make the ultimate and humane decision; a decision that is done out of love.

Jennifer Melvin, who instructs in the Pet Grief Program at AIHCP offers this advice on when to know it is time to say ‘goodbye’.
One of the most challenging decisions a pet owner faces is when they have to determine how far to take treatment and when to euthanize the pet.  For most people a pet is part of the family and you want to fight to the end to keep them with you.  A good rule of thumb is to focus on the quality of life the pet has.  When a pet has a terminal illness and you find them not enjoying their favorite foods, doing their favorite things or being comfortable it is then time to clarify with the vet that the pet’s body is changing to the point it is not going to get better.  If that is the case it is your time to ask yourself who you would be keeping the pet alive for and what it is living for.  When you reach the answer that it is not in their best interest to keep them alive, you have your answer of when it’s time.  At that point you make sure to prepare yourself and your family the best you can do and say all you need to have your goodbye.

Melvin’s advice helps one understand when.  She also emphasizes in the end that one find time to say that final goodbye.  Some families prepare a date in advance and spend a quality day with their pet.  They take the day off from work, give the pet special treats and shower him with love.
While some would rather walk away the moment, one drops off old “boxer” or “rex”, I have always from experience walked back with our dogs and held their paw, reassured them, kissed them, and allowed them to hear my voice as the pain all went away.
If you are interested in taking courses in pet grief counseling, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Pet Grief Counseling on Run Away Pets

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Unresolved Grief and a Runaway Pet

Pet Grief Counseling :  The pain of not knowing is a grief that forbids closure.  It is experienced by parents who lose their children via kidnapping, or families who lose brothers on the battle field never to be found.  This ambiguous or unresolved type of grief restricts closure because there is always the haunting question of “what if”.  While the “what if” of reunion is always there, there is also the painful “what if” of what happened.
This type of pain is also associated with a runaway pet and the anxiety it can cause an owner.  Jennifer Melvin, instructor for the AIHCP’s  Pet Grief Loss Program, writes about this experience.
She states:

Unresolved situations can create unresolved emotions and thoughts.  When a pet runs away and isn’t found it can lead to stress, anxiety, new fears, guilt and a myriad of internal emotions for the family involved.  Until there is some resolve with how you perceive your –or someone else’s contribution towards the pet running away, these unsettling emotions and thoughts are likely to continue.  Most often they even seep out through your unconscious and into your dreams- while asleep or daydreaming.  This struggle with how it happened or what happened to the pet can be torturous.  It’s often difficult to sort through the thoughts and feelings alone or with friends because you most likely will find your mind playing the same guilty, angry and/or stress ridden thoughts and images over and over like a song on repeat.  This is a critical time to receive some formal support in order to stop that repeating tape and return to being able to concentrate, sleep well, eat right and feel more comfortable with living with what happened.

With this myriad of feelings, help and support are definitely needed.  From my personal experience, the longest missing time of our Siberian Husky was three days.  Those three days were filled with anxiety, sadness and fear.  One can only imagine the pain and anguish of never recovering one’s pet.
If you are interested in learning about how grief can affect pet owners, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

How to Deal with Pet Loss Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A shadow of a man and his dog.
How does pet loss grief affect you?

Let us face it there are far more pet owners out there than ever before. A lot of these pet owners do not consider themselves as owners of a pet, but rather a parent to their pet. They consider their pet a child or even just a member of their family. With these kinds of attachments it has become imperative to treat pet loss grief. The grief a pet owner experiences after having lost a pet can become very serious. It is important that every pet owner get the proper help they need should they feel trapped in the grief for their pet. For those reasons you can certify as pet-loss grief support specialist. You can make a difference in someone’s life and help them overcome the loss of their pets. Now more than ever it is important for people suffering from the loss of their pets to get some help as it will help them not only to cope but to move forward in their lives.

Bereavement and Pet Loss

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pet Loss and Attachment

The grief associated with a loss of pet can be great. Unfortunately, many people dismiss this loss as insignificant compared to loss of family or friends. The reality is the bond and attachment between a pet and owner can be just as intense. The blind eye of society to the severe suffering caused by the loss of a pet especially to children and the elderly is something that has begun to change with the more thorough study of grief. Attachment to a pet is something that is now seen as gravely important in anyone’s inter-relationships. In some cases, it is the only relationship for some people. This loss must be addressed as well. AICHP offers grief specialty certifications in Pet Loss. The program introduces the student to the basics of grief, but afterwards focuses four core courses on the issue of pet loss grief counseling.  Through these six courses in all, the counselor can achieve certification in Pet loss and Grief Bereavement and Pet Loss