Pet Loss Counseling
Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened............Anatole France
Why does it hurt so much when we lose a pet or any animal that we have been close to?
Why do we feel so lonely in our grief? Why do we feel so guilty?
Today, the majority of American households own pets, and many people are involved with horses and other animals as well. Our attachment to these animals are intense because our interaction with them is often daily and very tactile. They are our companions and confidantes. We may spend more time with them than with many people. One may grieve a pet more severely than they do a friend or relative because there are more opportunities to miss them: when we arrive home, when we take a walk, when we miss activities shared with the animal, even when we sleep if they slept with us. They never criticize us or instruct us, and somehow, they make us feel like they adore us just the way we are. The average length of time spent recovering in grief from the loss of a pet is said to be 10 months!
It is a lonely grief, too, because our pet or animal was known and loved by us exclusively. When a human being dies, many other people may be grieving and missing that person. There are others who understand and comfort us. Society sanctions mourning for human beings, and we have memorials, funerals, and rituals which help us in our grief. Grief due to the loss of a beloved animal is referred to as disenfranchised grief which means that society does not give us permission to grieve and does not support us in our loss.
Almost all animal owners have guilt upon death of their friend. When a special animal comes into our lives, we take on a responsibility for them. We educate them, feed and shelter them, and provide for their medical care. Because of our love for them and the strong bond, we do the very best we can in this responsibility. When they die, it is natural to wonder if we did our best in making decisions and caring for them. They don’t speak English, and they are unable to tell us how they appreciated us before their death. We relied always on our bond with them to interpret their needs, opinions, and feelings. Therefore, many of us feel guilty as a consequence of this responsibility.
Another complication of pet loss as opposed to human loss is the issue of euthanasia. Most of us have never been prepared to make a decision about life or death for another creature. Often our decision haunts us: perhaps it was too soon or perhaps I waited too long. Perhaps something more could have been done.
Counseling can help with all of the issues discussed above. Sandra created and developed the counseling program at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, and she has served as the Idaho and Texas Pet Loss Consultant for the states’ Veterinary Medical Foundations. She has published a book about pet loss and numerous articles on the subject. Over the years, she has helped hundreds of grieving dog, cat, horse, bird, and reptile owners. Sandra will:
There is NO CHARGE FOR THE FIRST APPOINTMENT. AFTER THE FIRST, FEES ARE:
15min $ 25.00
30min $ 50.00
45min $ 75.00
60min $100.00
To Schedule an Appointment please go to https://calendly.com/sbrackenridge
Once an appointment is scheduled, you will then go to https://doxy.me/sandrab at the time of your appointment where you will check in for your appointment.
I hope to visit with you soon.
Sandra
Why do we feel so lonely in our grief? Why do we feel so guilty?
Today, the majority of American households own pets, and many people are involved with horses and other animals as well. Our attachment to these animals are intense because our interaction with them is often daily and very tactile. They are our companions and confidantes. We may spend more time with them than with many people. One may grieve a pet more severely than they do a friend or relative because there are more opportunities to miss them: when we arrive home, when we take a walk, when we miss activities shared with the animal, even when we sleep if they slept with us. They never criticize us or instruct us, and somehow, they make us feel like they adore us just the way we are. The average length of time spent recovering in grief from the loss of a pet is said to be 10 months!
It is a lonely grief, too, because our pet or animal was known and loved by us exclusively. When a human being dies, many other people may be grieving and missing that person. There are others who understand and comfort us. Society sanctions mourning for human beings, and we have memorials, funerals, and rituals which help us in our grief. Grief due to the loss of a beloved animal is referred to as disenfranchised grief which means that society does not give us permission to grieve and does not support us in our loss.
Almost all animal owners have guilt upon death of their friend. When a special animal comes into our lives, we take on a responsibility for them. We educate them, feed and shelter them, and provide for their medical care. Because of our love for them and the strong bond, we do the very best we can in this responsibility. When they die, it is natural to wonder if we did our best in making decisions and caring for them. They don’t speak English, and they are unable to tell us how they appreciated us before their death. We relied always on our bond with them to interpret their needs, opinions, and feelings. Therefore, many of us feel guilty as a consequence of this responsibility.
Another complication of pet loss as opposed to human loss is the issue of euthanasia. Most of us have never been prepared to make a decision about life or death for another creature. Often our decision haunts us: perhaps it was too soon or perhaps I waited too long. Perhaps something more could have been done.
Counseling can help with all of the issues discussed above. Sandra created and developed the counseling program at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, and she has served as the Idaho and Texas Pet Loss Consultant for the states’ Veterinary Medical Foundations. She has published a book about pet loss and numerous articles on the subject. Over the years, she has helped hundreds of grieving dog, cat, horse, bird, and reptile owners. Sandra will:
- Guide owners in their decision making, in the questions to ask their veterinarian, and in preparation for euthanasia when that may be a possibility
- Help parents explain euthanasia and grieving to their children. Her book Because of Flowers and Dancers which does this is available through this website in the STORE
- Support any owner who has lost an animal with educational counseling about grief and pet loss
- Help with the difficulty of memorialization and ritual for the animal after loss
There is NO CHARGE FOR THE FIRST APPOINTMENT. AFTER THE FIRST, FEES ARE:
15min $ 25.00
30min $ 50.00
45min $ 75.00
60min $100.00
To Schedule an Appointment please go to https://calendly.com/sbrackenridge
Once an appointment is scheduled, you will then go to https://doxy.me/sandrab at the time of your appointment where you will check in for your appointment.
I hope to visit with you soon.
Sandra