Pet Bereavement

Learning objectives:

• Recognise and explain why there is a need for change in making grief associated with pet bereavement acceptable
• Identify and evaluate the models of grief that clients may experience
• Identify how grief can affect the speed with which a client will find resolution and how acceptance, or a lack of it, affects ultimate resolution
• Recognise different types of grief (normal grief, anticipatory grief, complicated grief)
• Identify what hindsight bias is and how it can prevent someone finding resolution
• Identify what role guilt plays in the grief cycle
• Outline the importance of identifying the role the animal plays in clients’ lives
• Evaluate how the strength of bonds between humans and animals can influence the strength of grief an owner may feel
• Summarise the physical and psychological responses to grief and mourning
• Assess when and how to take the next steps in becoming a pet bereavement counsellor

Learning objectives:

• Identify the various reasons for a behavioural euthanasia
• Recognise the feelings and emotions a client may be experiencing and provide support 
• Recognise that mental suffering affects a patient’s quality of life
• Identify where certain judgements may come from and why we may feel the way that we do
• Describe how to support a client pre and post behavioural euthanasia fully and appropriately
• Identify and be able to direct clients to external sources of support where necessary

Learning objectives:

• Describe what compassion fatigue is and how it can affect individuals
• Identify the phases of compassion fatigue and outline each phase
• Evaluate and assess own wellbeing, in addition to colleagues’ wellbeing
• Cite positive coping strategies for dealing with compassion fatigue
• Explain and identify the importance of promoting good mental health and wellbeing
• Discuss where to find help and identify the different levels of help available

Learning objectives:

• Identify how to provide an attentive and respectful euthanasia out of the clinical environment
• Evaluate and assess how to provide the safe euthanasia of an aggressive patient
• Explore and recognise ways euthanasia without the owner(s) can achieve a dignified goodbye for both client and animal
• Describe how environmental and social determinants cause clients to feel a deeper sense of loss
• Discuss how a client may react to the unplanned loss of their pet and support strategies that could be put in place

Learning objectives:

• Describe what can be done in practice to provide a gold standard of euthanasia
• Explain why providing a gold standard of euthanasia can help grieving clients reach overall resolution quicker
• Summarise the key reasons why a bereavement policy should be created in all practices and how this can help with conflict resolution
• Explain why bereavement packs are useful and what should go in them
• Describe how to set up euthanasia / palliative care clinics and how they can help prepare clients for the eventual loss of their pet
• Explain how and when to use quality of life scoring systems to help clients and their pets
• Recognise and use appropriate words to communicate with someone who is grieving, and recognise which words are not appropriate to use
• Recognise and outline positive coping strategies to help grieving clients
• Identify when clients may need further help from a medical professional or pet bereavement counsellor
• Identify how to discuss death with children and how to approach and prepare a child for an impending loss
• Identify how to communicate effectively with clients (including how to modify body language and tone of voice)
• Describe how to manage a very distressed or disruptive client

Learning objectives:

• Describe the different cremation processes
• Be able to produce a best practice working document for the clinic when arranging pet cremations
• Describe the information required to enable clients to make an informed decision
• Recall best practices at a pet crematorium including the required approvals
• Summarise the responsibilities of veterinary practices to comply with their Duty of Care
• Construct a client facing infographic explaining their choices for after death care
• Recognise how other cultural beliefs must be acknowledged and identify how to adapt end of life care accordingly