Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions: Practitioners Navigating the Human-Animal Bond

Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
	Figures
	Tables
Notes on Contributors
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I
	Foundation and Theory
		1 The Eternal Bond: Understanding the Importance of the Human–Animal Bond and its Impact on Pet Loss
			Why We Love Animals
			What is The Human–Animal Bond?
			The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Human–Animal Interactions
			Theories Explaining the Human–Animal Bond
			Conclusions
			References
Part II
	Lifespan
		2 Children’s Experiences of Pet Loss and Separation: A Child Development Framework
			Introduction
			The Significance of the Child–Pet Relationship
			Children’s Understanding of Death
			Children’s Emotional Experiences of Death
			Children’s Experiences of Pet Loss and Separation
			Implications for Practitioners
			Case Scenarios
			References
		3 Adolescence, Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions
			Developmental Stage of Early Adolescence
			Developmental Stage of Later Adolescence
			Importance of Pets in Early Adolescent Development
			Importance of Pets in Later Adolescent Development
			Grief/Bereavement in Early Adolescents
			Grief/Bereavement in Later Adolescents
			Grief and Bereavement Models
			Differences in Grief Experiences
			Grief and Developmental Life Stage
			Grief and Cultural Differences
			Grief and Gender Differences
			Circumstances of the Pet’s Loss
			Strategies to Assist Adolescents’ Understand/Cope/Grow Through Their Grief
			Case Scenarios
			References
		4 Pet Parents and the Loss of Attachment
			Introduction
			Defining Pet Parents
			Understanding the Relationship
			Pet Parents and Loss
			Conclusion
			Case Scenarios
			References
		5 Pet Loss in Older Adulthood
			The Death of a Pet in Older Adulthood
			The End of Pet Ownership
			Euthanasia and Relinquishment
			Support Groups
			Important Issues
			Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
			Beyond Pet Ownership
			Conclusion
			Case Scenarios
			References
Part III
	Special Populations
		6 Helping Veterinary Professionals with Grief and Loss
			Grief and Pet Loss for the Veterinary Professional
			Risk Factors for Veterinary Professionals’ Mental Health
			Suicide Risk
			Exposure to Euthanasia
			Individual Risk Factors
			Professional Challenges
			Work-Related Risk Factors
			Supporting Veterinary Professionals
			Case Scenarios
			References
		7 Loss and Grief in Animal-Care Agents
			Loss in Animal-Care Work
			Euthanasia
			Illness or Injury
			Adoption
			Unique Aspects/Complicating Factor
			Presenting for Mental Health Treatment
			Assessment
			Validate the Ambiguous Loss(es)
			Reframe and Refocus
			Develop and Maintain Healthy Boundaries
			Create Loss-Based Practices
			Summary
			Case Scenarios
			References
		8 Prison Populations and Pet Loss
			Prison Population
			Prison-Based Animal Programs
			Research on Prison-Based Animal Programs
			Why PAPs Work
			Grief/Loss with Companion Animals
			Grief and Prisoners
			Implications for Practice
			Conclusion
			Case Scenarios
			References
		9 Grieving Without a Home: Homelessness and the Loss of an Animal
			Introduction
			Who is Homeless?
			Homelessness, Mental Health, and Trauma
			Introduction to Homelessness and Animal Companionship
			Case Scenarios
			References
		10 The Loss of a Pet: Cultural Perspectives on Cross-Species Grief and Healing
			Introduction
			Case Scenarios
			Dedication
			Notes
			References
Part IV
	Special Animal Populations
		11 Grieving the Equine Companion: Implications for Mental Healthcare Practitioners
			Horses as a Way of Life
			Saying Goodbye to Equine Companions
			The Importance of the Client–Veterinarian Relationship
			Caring for the Equine Body After Death
			Memorializing Horses
			Client Considerations for Mental Healthcare Practitioners
			Disenfranchised Grief
			Complicated Grief
			Conclusion
			Case Scenarios
			References
		12 Separation from Assistance Dogs: The Complicated Psychological Burden During Loss of the Relationship
			Introduction
			Characteristics of Assistance Dogs
			Defining Assistance Dogs
			Benefits from Assistance Dogs
			The Meaning for Partners of Losing the Partnership with an Assistance Dog
			The End of Life of an Assistance Dog
			Situational Features of Assistance Dogs Influencing Grief
			Supporting People During their Loss of Assistance Dogs
			Distress Arising for Family and Friends During the Loss of Assistance Dogs
			Emotional Support Animals and their Partners’ Grief
			Summary
			Case Scenarios
			References
		13 Supporting Bereaved Clients after the Death of an Assistance Dog
			Introduction
			The Unique Nature of Assistance Dog Partnerships
			Acute Grief and Assistance Dog Death
			After the Assistance Dog’s Death
			Contextual Factors in the Grieving Process
			Supporting the Bereaved Assistance Dog Partner
			Wider Pet Loss/Bereavement Support Resources
			Putting it into Practice
			Case Scenarios
			Acknowledgments
			Note
			References
		14 Helping Clients Cope with Grief Associated with Euthanasia for Behavior Problems
			Introduction: Euthanasia for Behavior Problems and its Impacts
			Background: The Positive and Negative Impacts of Life with a Companion Animal
			Common Behavior Problems in Companion Animals
			The Most Difficult Decision: Euthanasia for Behavior Problems
			Best Practices – Helping Clients Facing Serious Pet Behavior Issues
			Resources for Clients Seeking Expert Help in Effectively Treating Unwanted Behaviors in their Pets.
			Case Scenarios
			Note
			References
Part V
	Special Topics
		15 Grieving Pet Loss: The Unique Experience of Bereaved Pet Owners
			Introduction
			Conceptual Frameworks for Grief
			The Grief Experience
			Complicating Factors in Pet Loss
			Euthanasia
			Complicated Grief
			Conclusion
			Case Scenarios
			References
		16 Helping Clients Prepare for Pet Loss
			Preparing Yourself
			Normalizing their Experience
			Who is on their Side?
			Loss History
			End of Life Preparation
			Learning What to Expect
			Pain Versus Suffering
			Making an End of Life Plan for a Pet
			Deciding Euthanasia or Natural Death
			Creating a Plan
			Body Care Decisions
			Keepsakes and Memorializing
			Case Scenarios
			References
		17 Palliative Medicine and End of Life Care for Pets: A Primer for Mental Health Professionals
			What is Hospice?
			What is Veterinary Hospice?
			What is Palliative Care?
			What is Veterinary Palliative Care?
			What is the Current State of the Art for Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care?
			Professional Guidelines and Training
			Unique to the Veterinary Profession: Euthanasia, Responsibility, and Judgment
			Goals of Care Conversations
			Future Directions
			Case Scenarios
			References
		18 Therapeutic Continuing Bond Interventions with Bereaved Companion Animal Owners
			Introduction
			Human–Companion Animal Bond and Grief
			Disenfranchised Grief and Social Constraints
			The Concept of Continuing Bonds with Bereaved CA Owners
			Clinical Interventions and Continuing Bonds
			Projective Drawings
			Self-Compassion
			Conclusion
			Case Scenarios
			Note
			References
		19 Animal Loss and Interprofessional Practice: A Primer in “Boundary Spanning” for Mental Health Professionals
			Introduction
			Interprofessional Practice in Human – and Veterinary – Healthcare
			Bringing Our Skills to Veterinary (and Allied Animal Health) Practice: Boundary Spanners and Animal Loss
			The Competencies Necessary for Boundary Spanning
			Navigating Sticky Wickets: Problem-Solving the Challenges of Interprofessional Practice
			Concluding Thoughts
			Questions for Reflection
			References
Index