The Lived Experience of Companion-animal Loss: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

Kemp, Hellen Robin; Jacobs, Nicky; Stewart, Sandra E.

doi:10.1080/08927936.2016.1228772

Cited by 31 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Data analysis also has developed beyond basic statistical analysis of small samples to larger multisite studies, along with systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies [44,47,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69]. Panel studies have been employed, studying the role of AAI in the aging community [24].…”

Section: The Need For Research and Evidence: Connecting The Dots Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues That Will Shape the Future

Fine

Beck

2019

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As the worldwide popularity of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) increases, the field is quickly approaching a paradigm shift, adjusting its image to incorporate more evidence-based research and aligning its purpose for advancing a new future. Contemporary critical issues that confront the field today include, but are not limited, to research, animal welfare, practice guidelines, and public policy. This article will provide an overview of the history of AAI and the major milestones that the field has undergone. The current state of AAI research will be scrutinized, and the areas that warrant further study will be recommended. Special attention will be given to the current state of animal welfare in AAI, the research that has been done in the area, and practice guidelines that safeguard animal wellbeing. This article will then discuss how evidence-based research and animal welfare guidelines inform the development of comprehensive professional standards and influence changes in public policy regarding AAI. The authors’ perceptions for the field’s future trajectory will be presented, which will include solutions to move the field in the direction that best advances the human-animal bond in research, practice, and public perception.

show abstract

Section: The Need For Research and Evidence: Connecting The Dots Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues That Will Shape the Future

Fine

Beck

2019

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previous studies have reported a number of factors that are key to owners’ EoL decisions but the way the data were collected and analyzed may not represent owners’ holistic experiences of the process and their interactions with veterinarians. For example, factors identified from previous research include the animal’s quality of life (QoL), the owner’s finances, time and other resources, and their attachment to their cat [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Many of the factors in other previous studies were identified via ‘expert’ consensus [ 36 ], or used in surveys [ 29 , 37 ], and therefore the information collected may not reflect owner perceptions but expert consensus, or has been limited to quantitative data via surveys or structured interviews.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“What Would You Do?”: How Cat Owners Make End-of-Life Decisions and Implications for Veterinary-Client Interactions

Littlewood

Beausoleil

Stafford

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cats are the most common companion animals in New Zealand. Advances in veterinary care means that cats are living longer and there are many older cats. End-of-life decisions about cats are complicated by owner–cat relationships and other psychosocial factors. Our study explored the ways in which end-of-life decisions were being made by owners of older and chronically ill cats in New Zealand and the role of their veterinarian in the process. Qualitative data were gathered via retrospective semi-structured interviews with 14 cat owners using open-ended questions. Transcripts of these interviews were explored for themes using template analysis and nine themes were identified. Four were animal-centered themes: cat behavior change, pain was a bad sign, signs of ageing are not good, and the benefits of having other people see what owners often could not. Five were human-centered themes: veterinarians understanding owners’ relationships with their cat, normalizing death, the need for a good veterinarian to manage end of life, veterinary validation that owners were doing the right thing, and a strong desire to predict the time course and outcome for their cat. End-of-life decision making is complex, and the veterinarian’s role is often poorly defined. Our owners appreciated the expertise and validation that their veterinarian provided but continuity of care was important. Future research aimed at exploring the veterinarian’s perspective during end-of-life decision making for cats would be a valuable addition to the topic.

show abstract

“…For most pet owners, the loss of a beloved companion animal can lead to feelings of grief similar to, if not greater than, the loss of a human loved one. 1 Moreover, due to the shorter lifespan of companion animals, many pet owners experience the loss of a companion animal, if not several, in their lifetime. 2 3 However, unlike human loss, pet loss grief is considered to be a form of disenfranchised grief, often lacking social acceptance, acknowledgement and support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring pet owners’ experiences and self-reported satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundWhile euthanasia is a common feature of veterinary practice, research has yet to adequately explore the experiences, perception and wishes of pet owners, including their satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia.MethodsAn online questionnaire was conducted with pet owners who had experienced euthanasia within the last 10 years to explore the relationship between pet owners’ experiences and their resulting satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression.ResultsOverall, participants (N=2354) reported high levels of satisfaction with their euthanasia experience. Their experience with the administration practices (i.e., payment and paperwork), emotional support, follow-up care and care for their pet’s remains was found to be associated with overall satisfaction. Participants’ grief was associated with the number of euthanasia previously experienced, the type of human–animal bond, if the euthanasia was emergent and the emotional support they received.ConclusionFindings contribute to existing research and shed light on some of the most important practices associated with companion animal euthanasia. Several practical recommendations are made, including developing standard operating procedures for companion animal euthanasia; exploring owners’ previous experiences, expectations and emotions; the importance of reassurance; and access to grief resources and services.

show abstract

The Lived Experience of Companion-animal Loss: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

Cited by 31 publications

References 46 publications

The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues That Will Shape the Future

The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues That Will Shape the Future

“What Would You Do?”: How Cat Owners Make End-of-Life Decisions and Implications for Veterinary-Client Interactions

Exploring pet owners’ experiences and self-reported satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About