Counseling my clients in pet loss and bereavement has slowly become a large part of my practice. It is something I truly enjoy as its importance is huge. For many of us, pets have become our family members, and their loss or impending loss can be devastating. We have all experienced loss; whether family, friends, […]
Q&A: Dealing with Grief for both Humans and Animals
Our experts offer advice for how to help heal bereaved pets and people. We received a question from a reader asking for advice on how to deal with both her own and her dog’s grief. Our reader asked about crystals in particular, but many other complementary therapies can help as well, and since loss and […]
Whether and When: Compassionate Thoughts On Euthanasia
One of the hardest things about having a beloved animal is trying to figure out what is best when the end of life seems imminent. Death comes to all creatures, of course, but when we bring our fellow animals into our families, we take on the responsibility for his or her health, well-being and even […]
Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue (And How to Cope)
Did you know that those who work with shelter and sanctuary animals are highly vulnerable to compassion fatigue? Not surprisingly, helping (and opening your heart to) abused, unloved and neglected animals on a regular basis is extremely stressful and traumatic. Those involved in euthanasia of such animals also experience grief. Compassion fatigue, therefore, is unfortunately […]
Nursing Care For Your Immobile Pet: What You Need To Know
Dogs and cats, like humans, are sometimes confined to their beds, either by doctor’s orders or an illness or injury that temporarily restricts movement. Strict bed rest is also often required for recovery from orthopedic or neurological conditions, where the patient may or may not be able to move on their own, and require constant […]