Compassionate Guidance Through Your Grief.
Are you struggling to cope with the loss of a beloved pet? The loss of a beloved pet can be a deeply personal and emotionally overwhelming experience. These cherished animals are more than pets; they’re family members, friends, and sources of unconditional love, and their absence can leave a profound void. Unlike losing a human loved one, societal support for pet loss grief can be limited. You may feel misunderstood or judged for grieving the loss of your furry (or feathered) companion.
However, bottling up your emotions can hinder your healing. It’s important to acknowledge that grief over a beloved pet is real and valid. Losing a beloved pet can result in a whirlwind of emotions, from deep sadness and confusion to guilt and loneliness. At Skills4LifePsychology, we recognise the intensity of pet loss and offer specialised support to help you through this difficult time, acknowledging the significance of your grief without judgement.
Understanding Pet Loss:
The grief experienced after losing a pet can be as acute and enduring as the grief for a human loved one, often lasting from one to two months, with lingering effects for up to a year (on average). Few of us ask our employers for time off to grieve a beloved pet due to the fear of being perceived as overly sentimental, lacking in maturity or being emotionally weak. Studies have found that social support is a crucial ingredient in recovering from grief of all kinds. Thus, we are not only robbed of invaluable support systems when our pet dies, but our own perceptions of our emotional responses are likely to add extra layers of distress. We may feel embarrassed and even ashamed about the severity of the heartbreak we feel and, consequently, hesitate to disclose our feelings to our loved ones.
What You Might Be Experiencing:
These feelings are all part of the normal grieving process. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and the length and intensity of your grief will vary depending on the unique bond you shared with your pet.
How can we help?
At Skills4LifePsychology, we understand the unique challenges of pet loss. We offer a compassionate and supportive space where you can openly express your grief without judgment. We will work with you to:
- Process your emotions: Explore your feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, or any other emotions you may be experiencing. Understanding and validating the depth of grief associated with pet loss.
- Develop healthy coping strategies: Learn strategies to cope with the emotional and physical impact of your grief in a healthy way.
- Honour your pet’s memory: Find ways to celebrate your pet’s life and the special bond you shared.
- Connect with others who understand: We can help you find support groups or resources that connect you with others who have experienced pet loss.
You don’t have to walk this path alone. We can help you find comfort and support during this difficult time.
Pet Loss Support Group
Losing a pet can leave us with a strong sense of loss. Studies show pet loss can feel as profound as the loss of a beloved friend or family member.
Often, we are given advice to get a replacement animal to help us heal, but the truth is, pet loss can be very profound and long lasting, making it difficult to move on. 
If you would like to sit and share with others who have experienced the same grief, supported and facilitated by an experienced local psychologist, please get in touch.
Heidi Ruef at Skills4Life Psychology, is passionate about supporting people experiencing grief and loss and among other areas, focuses on the unique area of pet loss.
Heidi conducts quarterly, complementary small group sessions in her private practice in Ormiston with her therapy dog, Socks.
