Ask Dr. LaFarge: Teaching Young People to Cope with Pet Loss

Our son Brandon, age 11, was blessed with a wonderful dog, Tasha. Returning from a walk last week, Brandon let go of Tasha’s leash to allow her to run up to the house—their usual routine. For the first time, Tasha instead ran excitedly in the road. Brandon watched as his love was crushed by a large, speeding vehicle, and then dragged five miles.

My son has been crying day and night. He says that he cannot shake the vision of the accident. Tasha was a gentle, loving, obedient dog whom Brandon turned to every time he felt sad. A hit-and-run charge was filed against the driver, but never an “I’m sorry” was heard. Brandon copes with ADHD, and now this tragic accident has compounded his emotions. What can we do to lessen his tears? Would you recommend getting another dog?
—Curtis

Curtis, I am so sorry your son is going through this, and that your family has lost a wonderful dog. It is so hard to watch a young person feel such grief. Unfortunately, the kind of loss Brandon experienced is the hardest from which to recover. It was violent, sudden and unexpected, and it is natural for him to feel anger with both himself and Tasha (for running into the road). The good news is that the loss of a pet is a chance for the family to show how it works together to get through crises.

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Stephanie LaFarge is a psychologist and the senior director of Counseling Services for the ASPCA.