Multimedia
Multimedia
PET LOSS
Pet owners are often afraid of expressing feelings of pet loss because they believe society will not validate their emotions. More health professionals and funeral directors, however, are now offering couseling services to help pet owners through the grieving process of pet loss. While grief counselor Cindy Douhpinette, RN provides individual and group therapy for pet owners, funeral director Kurt Larsen specializes in pet memorializtion. Grieving pet owners seek help when they realize that what they’re experiencing is a normal process of life and loss.
“Losing a pet is similar to losing a family member.
Pet owners must allow themselves to grieve,
in order to begin the healing process.”
Coping With Pet Loss |
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| Cindy Douphinette, RN, says there isn’t a “proper” grieving process. Everyone copes with pet loss differently, and some may experience the grieving process longer than others. Douphinette, however, recommends engaging in art therapy if owners are not yet ready to express their feelings in words. Some helpful ways to cope with pet loss include writing your pet’s obituary, letters and poems. The most important part of the grieving process is to let yourself grieve. Douphinette says pet owners must understand that what they’re feeling is normal, and they should surround themselves with strong support systems. It is more effective to speak about pet loss with others, especially in a group setting. For more information on the grieving process of pet loss and counseling sessions, please visit PlumGroveMessage.com. | |
Pet Memorialization |
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| Similar to how there’s no “proper” grieving process of pet loss, there isn’t a set standard for memorializing your pet. Kurt Larsen, funeral director at Pet Rest In Peace, in Secaucus, NJ, is one of the few pet funeral homes in the country. “Pets are family to us,” Larsen says. “Grieving the death of your pet is similar to grieving the loss of a famiy member.” Visit PetRestInPeace.com to learn more about Pet Rest In Peace’s services. | |
Original content published on http://vfayeleung.wix.com/petloss.
