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.

Practical guidance and compassionate support for pet owners before, during, and after the death of a beloved companion animal * Explores how best to prepare for the death of your pet, including recognizing changes in your animal's well-being, palliative care at home, taking care of your pet's remains, ceremonies, and more * Offers practical exercises and activities, such as what to discuss with the vet when euthanasia is anticipated, how to retain a center of inner calm when making decisions, and how to find the courage to say goodbye when the time comes * Addresses the emotional components of the bereavement process--fears beforehand, guilt and anger afterward--and offers advice on self-care throughout Our pets are members of our families. The death or separation from a beloved animal friend--whether anticipated or unexpected--can unleash a roller coaster of emotions. In this compassionate guide based on 20 years' experience helping individuals and teaching veterinary professionals, Angela Garner offers practical support and guidance to help you prepare for your pet's death ahead of time, do your best by your animal friend when the time comes, and work through your grieving process afterward. The author explores how best to prepare for the death of your beloved pet, including recognizing changes in your pet's well-being, palliative care at home, taking care of your pet's remains, ceremonies, and more. She discusses natural death and euthanasia and offers exercises and activities to help you work through difficult issues, such as what to discuss with the vet and how to stay focused on your pet's welfare when euthanasia is anticipated. Sharing her own experiences and those of others, she explores practices to help you cope with fears and overwhelming emotions, retain a center of inner calm when making crucial decisions, and find the courage to say goodbye when it is time. Angela Garner also addresses the different emotional components of the bereavement process--fears beforehand and guilt and anger afterward--and includes a compassionate discussion about children and pet loss as well as how to support a grieving companion animal in the family. Offering step-by-step support throughout, this guide brings hope and reassurance that, while grief may feel insurmountable, you will come out the other side to once again reengage with life.