Companion animal bereavement : a one health workbook for veterinary professionals

This concise workbook is written as a guide for veterinary professionals to support owners through the many challenges they face before, during and after the death of their companion animal. This unique text provides a wealth of practical advice to be used when supporting both adults and children through the grief process. It offers support when discussing subjects such as natural death versus euthanasia and guiding owners through after death services. Also, it covers the difficulties experienced by owners due to separation for other reasons, such as when a pet has to be rehomed. The book: - Gives highly practical guidance on pet bereavement support for vet staff before, during and after animal loss, including communicating with highly distressed people; - Includes exercises and activities which can be downloaded and shared with owners to help them cope with the destabilising effects of grief; - Helps gain a deeper understanding of the owners' perceptions of the process, including their fears and feelings; - Addresses the importance of self-care and peer support within the veterinary team or animal welfare organisation; - Contains numerous case studies and practical examples in the book and via additional online resources Cover Companion Animal Bereavement Copyright Contents About the Author Foreword Preface Acknowledgements 1  Perspective from Opposite Sides of the Consulting Table Covering: What it is Like for Owners Facing the Loss of Their Companion Animal Examples of the Challenges Faced by Vet Professionals 2  Communicating with Distressed Owners Covering: The Destabilizing Effects of Grief Communication Pathways Creating a safe place Letting the need lead Non-verbal communication – it’s not what you say, but how you say it Effective listening Giving clear information Further Reading 3  Approaching End-of-life Issues with the Owner Covering: Giving Upsetting News Being prepared Securing a suitable environment Explain things clearly and simply Be guided by the owner’s need Allow time for owner to ask questions Coping with the Owner’s Reactions Anger Hysteria Exercise: Calming breathing Helping the Owner to Remain Realistic Exercise: Consulting your vet about your pet’s condition Helping the Owner to Know What to Expect Exercise: Asking the vet what to expect Further Reading 4  The Owner’s Resources Covering: The Owner’s Resources Exercise: Working out the cost of your pet’s care plan Lack of Funds Practicalities – Time and Energy and the Emotional Impact of Caring for a Terminally Ill Pet 5  End-of-life Planning Covering: Supporting the Owner in Planning Ahead Exercise: Planning ahead for your companion animal’s end-of-life Further Reading 6  Supporting the Owner as They Find the Right Time to Say Goodbye Covering: Aspects Owners Find Difficult When Planning to Have Their Pet Euthanized That their pet will suffer or feel pain during euthanasia Not being able to get hold of a vet if euthanasia is needed urgently out-of-hours Finding when it is time to say goodbye Exercise: Monitoring my pet’s well-being Further Reading 7  Euthanasia for Pet Behaviour Problems Covering: Aggressive Behaviour Other Behaviour Issues Further Reading 8  Euthanasia, Sudden Death and Natural Death Covering: Taking the Call from Owners to Book Euthanasia Guidance for Vets Regarding Euthanasia of Equines Supporting Owners Through the Process of Euthanasia Supporting Owners Immediately After Euthanasia When an Owner Opts for a Natural Death for their pet Sudden or Unexpected Death Further Reading 9  After-death Services and Memorials Covering: Handout: Laying your pet to rest Further Reading 10  Supporting the Newly Bereaved Pet Owner Covering: Through the Eyes of the Newly Bereaved Owner A Summary of Frameworks for Grief Offering Support after Euthanasia Handout: Coping with grief Keeping the door open Grief in Other Animal Care Sectors Further Reading 11  Difficulties During the Grief Process Covering: Difficulties During the Grief Process Mental Health Crises, Including Suicidal Risk Guilt in Pet Loss Exercise: Coping with guilt in companion animal bereavement Anger in Pet Loss Shocking Mental Images Further Reading 12  Children and Companion Animal Bereavement Covering: Pet Loss at Different Ages Toddlers and children up to around six years Around six to ten years Teenagers Guiding Parents as They Support Children Before and After Pet Loss Before pet loss After pet loss Further Reading 13  Guiding Owners – Caring for Grieving Animals and Taking on a New Pet Covering: Grief in Animals Handout: Caring for a grieving pet Grieving Donkeys When Bereaved Owners Think About Getting a New Pet To fill the gap left by the one they have lost To have continued companionship and prevent loneliness To offer companionship to a bereaved pet To offer another rescue animal a forever home Handout: Considering a new pet Further Reading 14 The Personal Cost of Caring Covering: Voices from Across the Globe Compassion Self-care for Veterinary Professionals Good sleep hygiene Healthy eating Adequate hydration Exercise Mindfulness Relationships Keep doing things you enjoy Working hours Accessing Support Further Reading 15  From Compassion Fatigue to Compassion Resilience Covering: My Personal Story What Compassion Fatigue is and How it Can Affect You Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms What Makes Us More Susceptible to Compassion Fatigue? The ABC of Compassion Fatigue: How to Build Compassion Resilience Activities to Help to Develop an Authentic and Sustainable Self-Care Plan Activity One: My Wheel of Life Activity Two: Three to Thrive Activity Three: Strengthen your boundaries Activity Four: Self-care routines Activity Five: Establishing a ritual to separate work from home time Other enriching activities to restore balance and enhance well-being How Organizations, Teams and Practices Can Affect and Support the Compassion Resilience of Their Team Members and Staff Spending time connecting to people outside of work Further Reading 16  A Holistic Approach to End-of-life Support in Practice Covering: A Team Approach to Pet Bereavement Support Exercise: Supporting owners through pet loss within the practice Staff Training Consultations for Discussing End-of-life Situations Protocols for Taking Calls to Book Euthanasia Appointments Quiet area for euthanasia Handling of Pet Remains Small Thoughtful Gestures of Kindness Working to the Strengths of Each Team Member Further Reading Epilogue References and Resources References Resources Websites Downloads for Owners Index Back Cover