Ask Dr. LaFarge: Pet Loss for Veterinary Professionals

I work at a 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital and want to give clients info for local support groups and counseling options. Can you recommend a tasteful way for this to be done? We just want to offer all the support that we can. Thank you very much, Dr. LaFarge.
—Ariane


I applaud you for wanting to offer support to your clients, Ariane.

The best way is to be honest and direct. Don't be afraid to refer to some of the negative emotions that come with pet loss. You will not cause anyone any harm by naming problems.

When I respond to pet loss issues, I keep the following issues in mind:

- Most people are shocked by how upset they feel at the loss of a pet, but they may not want a referral to a traditional therapist. They may appreciate a list of local professionals who state they specialize in grieving for a pet.
- The Web has many, many resources. You can pick several phone numbers for pet loss hotlines and list those for clients. Good idea to call each of the numbers just to confirm they are still working.
- If you send a bereavement card to clients, you can include a brief list of resources in the card. You can also post the list of resources in the waiting room so people can start to prepare themselves in advance of the death.
- You can introduce the information with a statement such as: "The loss of a pet is upsetting to most owners. Some people need reassurance that they made the right end-of-life decisions. Parents may want advice in dealing with their children regarding the loss. Others may want to know when to get another pet. The resources listed in this brochure may be helpful to you. Please feel free to contact our office if there is anything you want to discuss."