Grief Therapy
Our pets form a beloved, intimate part of our family. Whether as a companion or a helpmate, our pets keep us active and social, bring a sense of purpose into our day, and add love, joy, fun, and friendship into our lives. And when we lose our pets, feelings of grief and loss are both natural and understandable.
Anyone who has cared for and shared their lives with a pet understands the profound sense of loss and emptiness that the death of your companion has left behind. It is important to recognize that grief over the loss of a pet is both legitimate and necessary. While everyone experiences grief differently, anyone who has lost a pet knows the importance of going through the process of grieving just as we would for any loved one.
And it’s important to recognize and accept that sometimes we can’t manage the loss of a pet on our own. If you’ve lost a pet or an animal companion, it is ok to ask for help as you move through the grieving process. Grief therapy with a licensed counselor or therapist can help you understand your unique grieving process and can offer tools and techniques to help you cope with that loss in a productive and healthy way.
The Grieving Process
How you cope with the grief you feel after losing a beloved pet will be a very individual and unique experience. As with every form of grief, there’s no right or wrong way to handle the loss of a loved one, be it a family member, a close friend, or your family pet. You may feel lonely, sad, or depressed. You may feel angry or guilty. You may process your grief over a few days or months, or you may find your grief triggered by memories or anniversaries for years.
Every one of these emotions is completely normal after the loss of a pet. One of the first steps in the grieving process is giving yourself time and having patience with yourself as you allow the grieving process to unfold naturally.
Grief therapists also note the importance of expressing your sorrow. If you ignore your grief, or bottle it up to keep it from surfacing, you will likely find it harder to cope with those feelings in the long run. An important part of the grieving process is finding a way to express those strong emotions. Hopefully you have a friend or family member to whom you can talk about your loss, but even writing down your feelings will help you release them and process them in a healthy way.
Coping Mechanisms for Dealing with the Loss of Your Pet
Coping with the loss of a pet takes time and there aren’t any shortcuts. At the same time, there are things you can do to help you manage the strong emotions that come with grief in order to ensure your long-term mental wellness.
Ignore negative voices who dismiss the loss of a pet with statements like “it’s just a dog.”
Maintain your regular routine, especially if you have other pets.
Take care of your physical well-being by eating right, maintaining good sleep patterns, and getting regular exercise. If walking your dog was part of your normal exercise routine, this might be a good time to join a gym or try out a new yoga studio for a change of scenery.
Have a funeral or create a healing ritual. These types of rituals can be just as healing after the loss of a pet as after the loss of a loved one.
Allow yourself to remember your pet in a health way. Create a photo album, plant a special tree or flower, or find another way to remember the love that you shared with your beloved companion.
Find a supportive community, including pet loss support groups. This is especially important for anyone, especially the elderly, who lives alone and relied on your pet for constant companionship.
Seek help! A professional therapist or counselor, especially one who is trained in grief counseling, can offer specific steps to help you through the grieving process.
Above all, don’t feel pressured to replace your pet immediately. Unfortunately, well-wishers may think they are giving healthy advice by saying, “Why don’t you get another cat right away.” But a pet, like a person, cannot simply be replaced. Be sure that you give yourself time to mourn your lost companion, and be mindful of when you are emotionally ready to begin a new relationship with another pet.
Grieving for the loss of a pet or companion animal is difficult, and can take months or even years. If you find yourself overcome by sadness or depression, or feel that you need help to move through the grieving process, don’t hesitate to contact a trained grief therapist or counselor to help.
NEED HELP?
Collaborative Therapeutic Services (CTS) wants to help. We offer a variety of counselling and therapy services, hours, and service providers with diverse specializations. We offer evening & weekend appointments in office or by TeleHealth conferencing.
Have questions? Contact Us Here or Call 813-951-7346. Located in Tampa, Florida. Ask us about our new NEUROLEASE™ TREATMENT THERAPY - A cutting edge treatment for releasing toxic emotions.