Pet Hospice: Another Pet Loss Grief Alternative

It used to be the only choice you had was to euthanize your pet if it was terminally sick or injured. Now pet hospice provides another alternative. Pet hospice has slowly been gaining acceptance in recent years, even though it has been around for a couple of decades. Based on the successful model that has been used with humans, pet hospice allows for animals to die as comfortably and as painlessly as possible in the home.

Hospice for pets can be a volunteer organization working with a veterinarian or it can be members of a vet staff that provide the education and care of terminally ill pets. Taking care of a dying pet can be very demanding and can add to your pet loss grief. If you decide to take on this challenge, you will need to set aside time so that you can provide the necessary support to your animal. You are taught to understand the body language of your animal so that you will know if it is in distress or discomfort. Pet hospice helps you deal with the loss of your pet by educating you in pain management so that you will know when the appropriate time to give medications is. Usually meds are given before the pain becomes a problem. They also provide grief counseling for you and the family as you prepare for your pet to die.

If you don’t have a pet hospice near you, you can talk by phone or contact online organizations that can work with you. You always have the option to euthanize if you can’t manage the animal’s pain or if you can’t handle your pet’s suffering. Pet hospice is just another alternative that will allow your pet to die with dignity and in a peaceful environment surrounded by loved ones.

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.

What is Pet Loss Grief?

Adults and kids tend to get really attached to their beloved pets. For children, it’s often worse when their pets die because they have a hard time expressing their pet loss grief and may choose to act out or simply cry. Adults should take the time to sit the child down and explain to him or her that their pet is no longer suffering and went to a better place. Kids don’t always understand that the dog or cat was there the day before and now it has simply vanished. By telling them the animal is in a special place, it gives them a mental image to think about. You can also get pictures of the pet and put them in a unique frame by the child’s bed or on the fridge. Suggest to your son or daughter to draw a picture of the animal with their favorite toy. Drawing is a great form of therapy. When you feel the child is perhaps ready for another pet, see if they want to pick out another pet. Explain it is not meant to replace their favorite animal, but possibly will help comfort them and can be their friend, too.
By Jessica Banker

Pet Loss Grief and You.

Lately I have noticed that our cat is starting to get a little bit old. He doesn’t seem to jump around play around anymore like he used to, and he seems to have a little bit of arthritis in his back and his joints. I’m really concerned about it, because I know that my wife is really attached to my cat. I’ve heard that some people suffer a lot of pet loss grief when their pets die, and I really don’t want that to happen to my wife. I wish there was some reason that I could just give the cat away, but I can’t think of anything that would really make sense. I think that if I tried to do something like that, she would catch on to what I was doing. I guess that’s the problem was having an intelligent wife. I could also think about just getting another cat now, like a little kitten so that the one kitten could sort of distract her from the loss of the other cat. That might help a little bit, but I’m really not sure if it will make very much of a difference. I just hope that she doesn’t go through too much emotional stress when all that happens. Sometimes my wife can really get attached to things like that and it can affect her.

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Can Help.

If you are looking to work in the counseling industry, there are various areas in life to where people need counseling. You can take specific courses in these areas to learn how to deal with each situation on a professional and caring level. One area of grief counseling is pet loss grief. Pet loss grieving is a very serious and real matter. Many people feel a deep loss and depression after losing a pet, and they need to be counseled as someone would that has lost a friend or loved one. By learning the key points to target when working with these individuals, you will be able to give them the counseling and support they need to mourn their loss and start to heal. Working as a counselor can be very rewarding and challenging at the same time. By having expertise in many different areas of grief, you will be able to help all of those that seek your services.

Finding Pet Loss Grief Courses

Losing a pet can be a truly terrible experience. Many people who have never had pets simply do not understand the incredible sense of loss one can feel after losing their companion that they’ve had for years. A dog of cat is more than that to the owner of the pet; it is a friend. However, a lot of people have trouble dealing with their grief after their pet passes on, so there are courses pet loss grief that one can take, that are offered in some places. There are also courses for counselors who can help people deal with grief after pet loss. These times can be especially difficult for those who relied on the pet in some way. For example, a seeing eye dog is more than a pet for a blind person. It is a tool for living. For an elderly person living alone, their dog or cat may be a true lifesaver. For any family or person, there is nothing wrong with asking for help.

Dealing with pet loss grief, like other forms of grief, can be difficult.  Most of us have a hard time seeing past the loss of a pet.   Do not allow yourself to feel bad.   Grieving is natural!  Do not let the grieving, however, be the only feeling that remains.    Our pets are important to us because they remind us of love.   Our pets love us and we love them.   They show us the good that exists in nature.    For more details please review the following:

Pet Loss Grief and Love

The article, “Its not about grief, its about love, ” by Marianne Soucy states

That is why animals are so important to the health of us humans – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Our animal companions can teach us to be present and experience the love that is within us and around us. We are surrounded by much love and joy – if  we allow ourselves to open up, to pay attention and experience it.  For example, I can experience love from my cats.  And when I look outside, I see the garden, the sunrise, the birds, all the life out there – how can I not see the beauty and magic – the love.

For the full article please go here.

Do not let pet loss grief be the only thing you remember about your animal companion.   In the end you will have to choose between your grief and love.   Choose love and embrace everything good about having pets.
If you want to learn more about pet loss grief counseling then you should visit our website.