It’s the holiday season and for many, it comes with a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, the holidays bring excitement and the anticipation of celebrations spent with family and friends. Yet, it can also triggers feeling of loneliness and regret if someone has experienced pet loss during the holidays. Many people who experience pet loss during holidays have a more complicated grief response. They often find themselves feeling depressed, anxious, or guilty, despite the festivities. Feelings of depression, during a traditionally happy time, can be confusing unless your clients understand why they are experiencing them. As a veterinary… Continue Reading
End-of-Life Decisions During Holidays
Many years ago, my colleagues and I invited a panel of veterinarians to talk to our third year Colorado State University veterinary students during a course called “Managing Client Grief.” During the question and answer phase, the discussion turned to helping clients whose pets are gravely ill during the days leading up to the holidays. Since our class took place in January, one of our students had dealt with a client who experienced tremendous anxiety due to having to make end-of-life decisions during the holidays. Our student wanted to know how, given the added pressures of the holidays, she could… Continue Reading
Pet Adoption After Loss
Sometimes you must “listen between the lines” to your clients when they begin to discuss pet adoption after loss. You can discern much about how clients’ grief is progressing by what they say about this subject. You can help clients make this decision when it is the right time (and keep them from rushing into acquiring a new pet when they are not yet emotionally ready to take this step). Pet owners who immediately adopt new pets are usually trying to avoid the sadness and loneliness of grief. You may hear a client say something like “I’m going out today… Continue Reading
Adopting New Pets: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 14 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving pet parents adopting new pets. Situation: Adopting New Pets Mrs. Swenson and her family recently euthanized their beloved cat, Bruno. The entire family has been grieving, but now the children are starting to ask about the possibility of adopting a new cat. Mrs…. Continue Reading
Other Pets’ Grief: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 13 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving other pets’ grief. Situation: Other Pets’ Grief It’s Mr. Taylor’s first visit to your clinic since Mack, his golden retriever, died. Today, he’s here for a wellness check for Nellie, his black lab. He says, “You know, Nellie has been acting strange ever… Continue Reading
Helping Clients with Disabilities: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 12 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving helping clients with disabilities cope with pet loss. Situation: Helping Clients with Disabilities Mr. Cooper is a long-standing client who has Parkinson’s disease and uses a wheelchair. His companion and assistance dog, Clyde, is dying from cancer, and all treatment options have been… Continue Reading
Helping Seniors: Situational Support Protocols
This is Part 11 of our Support Protocols for 14 Common Situations series. The cases described in this series are drawn from everyday scenarios found in general veterinary practice or emergency and specialty practices. Below you’ll find an example of a type of case you’re likely to encounter in practice. This blog’s subject is a case involving helping seniors with pet loss. Situation: Helping Seniors Mrs. Franklin is an elderly woman who lives alone and has been a client of yours for many years. Her beloved dog, Toby, whom she refers to as her “one and only companion,” is dying… Continue Reading
Suicide Ideation vs. Suicide Intent
National Suicide & Crisis Prevention Hotline: 988 May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The following is an excerpt from the textbook Connecting with Grieving Clients by Laurel Lagoni, MS and Dana Durrance, MA (see copyright below) and is being made available as a free resource for you and your staff. Suicide Ideation Although thoughts and comments about suicide are quite common, truly suicidal clients are very rare. Sometimes clients will say something like the following: “Life means nothing to me without Pepper. Sometimes I wonder why I should go on…” A remark like that is usually a normal reaction to… Continue Reading
