HUMAN – ANIMAL BOND
Our animal companions enrich our daily lives in countless ways as members of our family. They influence our decisions, impact our behaviors, affect our plans and change our attitudes. Each bond formed between a human and their pet is unique. For many people, animals are the primary source of emotional and social support and can be described as children, best friends, confidants, companions or partners. In sum, our pets enhance and stabilize our lives with their constant unconditional love and devotion.
PET LOSS AND GRIEF:
This special human-animal bond is what makes the death of a pet one of the most significant losses we will experience in our lives. When a pet is diagnosed with a terminal illness or dies, we often times feel overwhelmed with the emotions and knowledge of how changed our life will be from that moment on.
You are grieving if:
- Your pet has been diagnosed with a terminal illness
- Your pet has been seriously injured and is facing death
- Your pet has been lost or stolen
- Your pet is recently deceased
While grieving is healthy, natural and necessary in order to heal from a loss, the emotions you have while grieving will be unique to yourself and often different from others in your own family. The impact of the loss is often determined by your own past experiences with loss, the circumstances around your pet’s illness or death and the strength of the bond you shared with your pet.
Although the grief response is different for each individual, understanding the grief process may help you cope better with your grief reactions or help other family members who share your sense of loss. There are several stages of grief but not everyone experiences them all or in the same order. Some people feel stuck at points or notice their grief is not lessening in its intensity. Professional counseling uses specific techniques to guide people through the grief journey to its successful completion.
As a grief counselor specializing in loss of an animal companion, I realize the grief reactions associated with human or animal death are many times identical. Yet, sadly there are many pet owners who grieve alone, thus adding to and prolonging the emotional intensity of the grief. During the past decade, while facilitating pet remembrance workshops and pet loss support groups, I have found that many people in our society have little knowledge about how to help support someone in mourning.
Many pet owners find the initial visit to see a pet loss counselor is very helpful. This first session will usually last approximately 90 minutes and can be held at your home or in my office. The issues at hand and your primary concerns will be addressed. Additionally, information about pet loss and effective coping techniques will be discussed and educational information will be provided for you to have for optional reading materials to share with others. Follow up support after the initial visit is also available.
“People search their entire lives for unconditional love, and we find it in our pets. It is often the most perfect relationship that we have. Unlike so many ‘human’ relationships, our relationships with our pets are free of all the complications and emotional baggage that so often accompany the human-human bond. No wonder saying goodbye is so hard to do.” —Jeanine Wordley, DVM, LCSW
