Companion animals have been demonstrated to play significant roles in the lives of their owners in many American households. More then half of the homes in the United States have at least one companion animal and more than 85% of per owners regard them as family members (American Veterinary Medical Association [AVMA], 2012). Unfortunately, many pets have shorter life spans then humans and because of that it is inevitable that many owners will also experience the death of a pet. This presentation was created as part of my Masters program at Friends University. ] I did include a bit of a personal touch on how moving on from the loss of one pet can lead to saving the life of another...

1. PET
BEREAVEMENT
Sarah Newcomer

3. More then half of the homes in the
United States have at least one
companion animal and more than
85% of pet owners regard them as
family members…

4. …and when their beloved pet
passes, many view it as
though they have lost a
member of their family…

5. “The trauma with the loss of a pet has
been shown to be one of the most difficult
times in a person’s life, and can create a
grief reaction that is many ways
comparable to that of the loss of a family
member…” (Clements, P., Benasutti K., & Carmone, A., 2003)

6. …and owners can experience pet loss in
ways other then a pet’s passing…
Losing the
pet
Sudden
Evacuation
Unable to keep

7. Bereaving Owners/Families
may experience:
Profound Sadness
Emptiness &
LongingBitterness
Intrusive thoughts/memories of
pet
Denial
These feelings of grief can be felt for
up to and longer then 6 months
at a time.and are sometimes displayed
through disruption in routine,
diet changes, sleeping changes,
social isolation, and missing
work.

8. But, in society, the loss of a pet
is often considered an
“undervalued grief”.

9. The grief is seen as unacceptable and needs to be
quickly overcome, because pet-human relationships
are not human-human relationships.

10. But We can help Support
Owners…
•Acknowledge to bereaving owners that it
is ok for them to grieve.
•Listen and learn the role a pet plays in the
owner’s/family life.
•Understand the owner/family may have
lost a crucial support system.
•Validating, acceptance, and support
prevents internalizing and
disenfranchisement of grief.

11. Encourage Finding Support
Support groups provide social support and helps create
relationships with individuals who are experiencing the
same emotions.
Pet Loss Support Groups & Organizations can be found
online and in cities across Canada/US

12. Facilitate coping methods that honor the loss of
their beloved companion…
Host a funeral for the
petShare stories
Donate to an Animal
Shelter to help others
in their memory
Make a scrapbook
Plant a tree in their
honorAfter some time of mourning has
passed owners may wish to get
another pet…

13. References
• Adrian, J., Deliramich, A., & Frueh B. (2009) Complicated grief and posttraumatic
stress disorder in human’s response to the death of pets/animals. Bulletin of
the Menninger Clinic, 73(3), 176-187.
• American Humane Association (2012). Pet Statistics. Retrieved from
http://www.petfinder.com/for-shelters/facts-pet-ownership.html
• American Veterinary Medical Association (2012). U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics.
Retrieved from http://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Statistics/Pages/Market-
Research
• Clements, P., Benasutti K., & Carmone, A. (2003). Support for bereaved owners of
pets. Perspectives in psychiatric care, 39(2), 49-54.
• Coradro, M (2012). Pet loss and disenfranchised grief: implications for mental health
counseling practice. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 34(4), 283-294.
• Haug, S., Sedway J., & Kordy H. (2008) Group processes and process evaluations in
a new treatment setting: inpatient group psychotherapy followed by internet-
chat aftercare groups. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 58(1), 35-
53.
• Scheidlinger, S. (2004) Group psychotherapy and related helping groups today: an
overview. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 58(3), 265-280.
• Watt-Aldredge, L (2005). Pet loss and the role of the psychologist: needs assessment
and implications for interventions. (Doctoral Dissertation). Retrieved from
ProQuest Psychology Journals. (UMI Number: 3170148)
• Walsh, F. (2009) Human-animal bonds II: the role of pets in family systems and
family therapy. Family Process, 48(4), 481-499.

14. In 2010 I decided to hospice a boney 8-10
year old pitbull from a HSUS fighting ring
raid…rescues did not want him due to his
age and health making him harder to
adopt.
If I did not take him he would be
euthanized.

15. This is him
now…

17. REMEMBER ADOPTION SAVES LIVES