Sometimes it helps to talk to someone about your loss. Share with someone who understands the significant loss of the departure of your beloved pet.
Patricia Fero is a therapist who offers counseling services to people who have lost a beloved pet.
Too often, friends and family may not understand just how hard it is to lose a pet who has been part of our lives for many years.
Maybe you live alone, and your pet was your main companion. Maybe you are a parent unsure how best to help your children with their first encounter with death. Maybe it just hurts.
What is pet loss and grief therapy?
Pet loss and grief therapy is a special kind of counseling that is designed to assist someone who has experienced the death of a beloved pet.
What makes it different from traditional grief therapy?
Our culture doesn’t provide us with the rituals and support for the loss of a pet. In fact the need to grieve is denied and the significance of the loss is diminished. Well meaning people may make comments such as, “it was only a dog (or cat)” or “You can always get another one”. Others may expect you to be over it when your sorrow is most intense.
What is normal grieving?
There is no single right way to grieve. Common symptoms of grief include:
- Guilt
- Anger
- Apathy
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Despair
- Insomnia
- Uncontrollable crying
These feelings can be overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Why seek professional support?
A good therapist is an empathic listener and an expert in the language of feelings. Inherent in the grieving process is the experience of intense feelings.
The role of the therapist in grief therapy is assistance in the management and resolution of these overwhelming feelings.
Quotes
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
- Unknown
A dog will show his love by jumping on you at the front door. A cat will show his love by ignoring you, and then curling up next to you when you need it most.
-Danielle Asson
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.
- Josh Billings
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
- Roger Caras
Patricia Fero has worked as a therapist for over 20 years. She is trained in Animal Assisted therapy and is effective in responding to the emotional needs of one who has experienced the loss of a loved pet.
Maxwell, a black Cocker Spaniel worked with Patricia as a co-therapist for 4 years after being rescued at age 8. Maxwell of course added his own special brand of unconditional love and acceptance.
