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Grief surrounding pet loss and euthanasia by Grace Harwood

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This document discusses grief surrounding pet loss and euthanasia. It defines key terms like loss, grief, bereavement and mourning. It outlines common responses to pet loss like feelings of sadness, anger and guilt. It notes that pet loss can be "disenfranchised grief" not openly acknowledged by others. The document provides advice on supporting children through pet loss and avoiding euphemisms when discussing euthanasia or death. It suggests what can help people cope with pet loss like being listened to, having their loss validated, and opportunities to ritualize or express their grief.

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Grief Surrounding Pet Loss and EuthanasiaUQ Veterinary Student Association
Grace HarwoodBSoc Sc (Pastoral Counselling), BTh, MACA, MFPCQ, CCAA (Grad)Ipswich Hospice Care IncManager of Hildas HouseBereavement Support pre and post death
What would you like to know?What would you like to walk away from this session with?
Our own experiences:Have you had an animal die?When you think back to this time:What was helpful?What would you do differently?
When you think about this topic, what worries or concerns you most?
Euthanasing:When When is the right time? Why What is the owners motivation? How do we feel about it?Who Who will be present? Do they understand the process? Will you be able to give them an opportunity to say goodbye?Where Where and when will it take place? Where will the body go?How How will it take place? How do we handle it? How do we negotiate payment?
Loss and Grief
DefinitionsLOSS:To be deprived of someone or something that holds great meaning.GRIEF: all the emotions and physical responses both surrounding and related to the lossBEREAVEMENT:The journey in which one experiences griefMOURNING:The outward expression of the loss we have experienced eg rituals, clothing, candles, roadside signs etc
Common Problems with Pet LossDisenfranchised GriefThis is the grief associated with a loss that is not:Openly acknowledgedPublicly mournedSocially supported
Common responses to griefFEELINGSSadnessAngerGuiltAnxietyLonelinessYearningFatigueHelplessnessShockNumbnessRelief DepressionRegretAbandonment BEHAVIOURSSleep disturbanceOver-activitySighingRestlessness Absent-mindednessAppetite disturbanceSocial withdrawlCryingDreams of the deceasedLack of concentrationRegression
Common responses to griefTHOUGHTSDisbeliefConfusionPre-occupationSense of presenceHallucinationsPHYSICAL SENSATIONSHollowness in the stomachOversensitivity to noiseTightness in the chest and throatDry mouthWeakness in musclesFatigueBreathlessnessLack of energy
Impact of Other LossesA previous significant loss can exacerbate the loss of a pet.The loss of a pet can involve secondary losses.Early losses in childhood are considered highly significant contributors to the likely success of the integration of later losses.Murray, 2006
Childrens GriefShould children be present at euthanasing?
Childrens Grief: What do they need?ReassuranceInformation and honest answersPatience and supportTime to adjustRoutines and stabilityLanguage which is understoodPeople who accept and a place to express their emotionsAdapted from Brown. 2001
Hint: Avoid EuphemismsSnuffed outKicked the bucketGone to sleepTaken by JesusPassed away/onPopped his clogsCrossed overPushing up daisiesLostGone to meet his makerPut him/her downGone to the happy hunting ground
What helps people who have lost a pet?Being listened toBeing believed about their relationship with their petHaving their loss validatedHaving an opportunity to express the depth of their lossOpportunities to ritualise the lossLinking with others who have experienced similar lossesCounselling/support
Services you could provide:Sympathy cardReferral to pet burial/cremation servicesReferral to counselling/supportBrochures about Pet Loss and Grief
Anything else.

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Grief surrounding pet loss and euthanasia by Grace Harwood

  • 1. Grief Surrounding Pet Loss and EuthanasiaUQ Veterinary Student Association
  • 2. Grace HarwoodBSoc Sc (Pastoral Counselling), BTh, MACA, MFPCQ, CCAA (Grad)Ipswich Hospice Care IncManager of Hildas HouseBereavement Support pre and post death
  • 3. What would you like to know?What would you like to walk away from this session with?
  • 4. Our own experiences:Have you had an animal die?When you think back to this time:What was helpful?What would you do differently?
  • 5. When you think about this topic, what worries or concerns you most?
  • 6. Euthanasing:When When is the right time? Why What is the owners motivation? How do we feel about it?Who Who will be present? Do they understand the process? Will you be able to give them an opportunity to say goodbye?Where Where and when will it take place? Where will the body go?How How will it take place? How do we handle it? How do we negotiate payment?
  • 8. DefinitionsLOSS:To be deprived of someone or something that holds great meaning.GRIEF: all the emotions and physical responses both surrounding and related to the lossBEREAVEMENT:The journey in which one experiences griefMOURNING:The outward expression of the loss we have experienced eg rituals, clothing, candles, roadside signs etc
  • 9. Common Problems with Pet LossDisenfranchised GriefThis is the grief associated with a loss that is not:Openly acknowledgedPublicly mournedSocially supported
  • 10. Common responses to griefFEELINGSSadnessAngerGuiltAnxietyLonelinessYearningFatigueHelplessnessShockNumbnessRelief DepressionRegretAbandonment BEHAVIOURSSleep disturbanceOver-activitySighingRestlessness Absent-mindednessAppetite disturbanceSocial withdrawlCryingDreams of the deceasedLack of concentrationRegression
  • 11. Common responses to griefTHOUGHTSDisbeliefConfusionPre-occupationSense of presenceHallucinationsPHYSICAL SENSATIONSHollowness in the stomachOversensitivity to noiseTightness in the chest and throatDry mouthWeakness in musclesFatigueBreathlessnessLack of energy
  • 12. Impact of Other LossesA previous significant loss can exacerbate the loss of a pet.The loss of a pet can involve secondary losses.Early losses in childhood are considered highly significant contributors to the likely success of the integration of later losses.Murray, 2006
  • 13. Childrens GriefShould children be present at euthanasing?
  • 14. Childrens Grief: What do they need?ReassuranceInformation and honest answersPatience and supportTime to adjustRoutines and stabilityLanguage which is understoodPeople who accept and a place to express their emotionsAdapted from Brown. 2001
  • 15. Hint: Avoid EuphemismsSnuffed outKicked the bucketGone to sleepTaken by JesusPassed away/onPopped his clogsCrossed overPushing up daisiesLostGone to meet his makerPut him/her downGone to the happy hunting ground
  • 16. What helps people who have lost a pet?Being listened toBeing believed about their relationship with their petHaving their loss validatedHaving an opportunity to express the depth of their lossOpportunities to ritualise the lossLinking with others who have experienced similar lossesCounselling/support
  • 17. Services you could provide:Sympathy cardReferral to pet burial/cremation servicesReferral to counselling/supportBrochures about Pet Loss and Grief

Editor's Notes

  • #6: ??Angry people displaced angerDistressed people
  • #13: Dad and Caleb
  • #14: What does the child want?Staff make it the best possible processFamilies/staff explain what will happenRemember age appropriate responses 8 year old boys are often much more interested I what will happen to the body once it is in the ground that the actual dying experience