by Lynette Alice

Created on: September 11, 2008   Last Updated: December 07, 2008

Pets are a part of the family whether they be a dog, cat, ferret, bird, or anything you can possibly imagine. They are living breathing creatures we welcome into our life that provide affection to us and ask for so little in return. They love us unconditionally and when they pass the loss is just as real for many pet owners and families as that of a human which is why many seek bereavment counseling.

The loss of a pet can be a devestating thing, espeially in families with children that haven't yet realized death is a natural conclusion to life. In many cases the death of a pet is the first taste of this awful reality a child may face. In some cases a child doesn't react well to this loss and the parents although able to cope fine in regards to themself may not be so capable when it comes to explaining death and the mourning process to their kids. In cases like this a pet bereavement counselor can fill in those gaps and provide a healthy avenue to aid the family as a whole with this loss.

Certainly this isn't always just about the children, some cope better than adults. It is not uncommon for pets like dogs or cats to live much longer than only fifteen or twenty years ago thanks to better diets and medical technology. With these longer lifespans comes greater attatchment and the possibility that the pets passing causes greater emotional strain. Consider what it is like for a child to grow up and their earliest memories involve a pet. When that pet has passed on it can for some be just as painful as they might imagine the loss of a sibling being. The signifigance of that bond can not be underestimated.

Many adults and teens simply avoid the issue of the signifigance of the loss of a pet rationalizing that it is "just" an animal and therefore the loss should not be taken so hard. The reality however is the loss should be recognized in more than just a passing manner. A pet is a family memeber, and failing to deal with this in a healthy manner will eventually fester and make it's eventual resolution all the more difficult. This is yet another instance where a pet bereavement counselor is helpfulm they can bring the issue to the foreground and nip this potential problem before it manifests.

A pet bereavement counselor can help bring all the issues surrounding this loss to light in a timely manner so that the person/family dealing with this loss can move on. They can celebrate the life and memory of their beloved pet in a manner the same as one would do in regards to a human being. It allows the opportunity to mourn and learn effective coping skills which ensure life can return to normal as smoothly and early as possible after a pets passing. A bereavement counselor basically provides the tools to mend a broken heart when the affected people either do not have them or simply can't use them on their own.

People go to a pet bereavement counselor for the same reason they seek this help when a person dies. To a pet owner in most cases, a pet is more than a pet. Some people can get over the loss on their own, some people can block it out. Some people can cope, some cannot. For those who can't this is a wonderful way to find closure and move on with life.

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