PET LOSS and GRIEF
Sometimes the pain of losing a beloved pet can be overwhelming. Whether your pet had a long and full life or suffered a sudden illness or accident, their loss is a shock. There is such an empty space, emotionally as well as physically, where your special friend once was.
For most people today, a pet isn't just an animal in the house. They are indeed ‘part of the family’. We feel this very deeply. In fact, we are encouraged to view our pets this way.
Unfortunately, when a pet dies, the people around us don’t always know how to respond. Friends, co-workers and sometimes even family members can fail to be empathetic with your feelings. So on top of your loss, you feel even more alone in your grief.
You may be asking yourself, “Why is it taking me so long to get over this loss, this pet?”. There are many things that contribute to how you react to any given event in your life: other stresses, other losses (both recent and long ago). What’s different now is that you’re in a different place in your life. Whatever that means for you right now is profoundly significant. By talking about your pet and the other issues their loss brings up, you can better understand how you’re feeling. You will begin to feel better as you tell your story. These are issues that can be addressed as part of an individual psychotherapy or in a group.
Groups for Adults
It can be very helpful to talk about the life and the loss of your pet with other people who have been through a similar experience. Each person brings a unique perspective that is welcomed and valued. In a safe and accepting environment, you can talk when you feel ready and can find comfort in listening to the group.
Group treatment has been recognized for decades as being highly effective in helping people with a wide range of issues. Bereavement groups in particular have been found to be especially beneficial.
Among the factors which help people to heal is the Hope we feel by being with others who are further along in their healing journey. The Universality of the group let’s us know we are not “the only ones” feeling this way. We give each other Information about what we find helpful. All in all, it is an Altruistic experience - We are helped by helping others.
Children's Groups
Children have a special relationship with pets and deal with a pet’s death differently than adults do. A child often will feel most comfortable talking about loss in a group of his/her peers.
Children’s groups are more structured than adult groups and have a specified number of sessions. Each session has a theme and a project which is designed to help the child express him/herself either verbally or through the project itself. Each child is encouraged to tell the group about his/her pet but no one is required to talk. Just being there is participating.