Loss of a Companion Animal: Understanding and Helping the Bereaved

Abstract

Pet owners may face numerous animal losses in a lifetime. Grief following pet loss is often misunderstood and devalued. Nurses are likely to encounter patients and families mourning the loss of a companion animal. This article outlines the grief process and offers practical suggestions for assisting those who are bereaved.

The Human–Animal Bond and Grief and Loss: Implications for Social Work Practice

“…Encouraging reminiscence about the deceased animal and listening empathically are helpful starting points. Hindsight and feelings of guilt may be reduced by pointing out that any decisions made during the pet's illness were based on the person's best judgment at the time (Durkin, 2009). Clients often do not realize the depth or manifestations of their grief over losing their companion animal and do not give themselves the time and space for a normative grief journey.…”

“…In addition to individual therapy, pet loss support groups can be especially useful because of community support and the increased feeling of mutual support and empathy. A leader for such a group should be a licensed professional with knowledge and experience of pet loss and the HAB (Durkin, 2009). Meetings are often conducted in the evenings for accessibility and in a setting which allows privacy.…”

“…An added benefit for dog owners includes potential increases in frequent walking or exercise, greater time spent outdoors and in nature, and increased social contacts (Horowitz, 2008). Given the shortened life span of pets compared with humans, losing a companion animal through death severs the bond and can result in extreme grief (Durkin, 2009).This manuscript involves a literature review seeking to understand the relationship between the human-animal bond and the pet 1015132F ISXXX10.…”

Premature, Untimely, and Traumatic Death of Family Members, and Mental Health Disorders Among Inpatient Substance Users

“…In addition to individuals who are traditionally considered to be family members (e.g., mother, father, sister, brother, grandparents, etc. ), some literature suggests that pets may be considered by many individuals to be family members and may be mourned as such in the event of their death (Durkin, 2009;Field, Orsini, Gavish, & Packman, 2009;Morley & Fook, 2005). Cordaro (2012) has suggested that since many people do not understand the level of grief, an individual may suffer at the loss of a pet, the person who has suffered the loss may experience disenfranchised grief, complicating the grieving process and possibly resulting in clinical levels of depression.…”