When you’re sitting with a pet parent or family who has just said goodbye to their pet, there is often nothing that can be said to ease their pain. ClayPaws Kits give you something to do when there is nothing to say. Instead of showing your compassion through hard-to-find words, consider making a ClayPaws print with the pet parent or family. Doing this will help to transform a time of loss into a moment of healing for both the pet parent and your staff. Why choose ClayPaws Paw Print Molds? Choosing the right medium to use to make a paw… Continue Reading
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Pet Loss During Holidays
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
The Best Clay for Paw Prints
A few weeks ago, an owner of a pet crematory called to inquire about ClayPaws Kits. He was given one by a fellow pet professional and was impressed with the quality and ease of use. While talking, he told me that he recently had found his late pet’s paw print (made of an air-dry clay) had fallen off a shelf and was ruined. This disappointing occurrence made it important for him to provide a quality keepsake for his clients. We understand other clay options may be initially appealing due to them being cheap and requiring no baking. But we also… 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
