From a very early age, I formed and embraced a strong emotional connection with animals. I would regularly bring home injured wildlife and nurse them back to health. It was because of these special bonds I knew I wanted to become a veterinary nurse.
I started my VN training in 1999 and was offered an SVN position at a local small animal practice. I did find the academic side of vet nursing more challenging, but excelled at the practical aspects. You would often find me up all night hand-rearing puppies, kittens or anything else that needed my help.
I qualified as a VN in 2003 and remember how proud I was to wear my greens for the first time. I went on to qualify as an SVN assessor in 2005, and embraced mentoring and supporting SVNs in our practice.
No support
Over the next 15 years, I sadly realised little to no real support system existed for bereaved owners, following the devastating loss of their pets.
I wanted to do all I could to help these owners, so I qualified as a pet bereavement counsellor in 2016 and set up Pet Bereavement Services in the same year. I provide counselling, palliative care advice and an end-of-life advocacy service. Clients can choose from face-to-face, virtual, telephone and email consultations.
As well as providing counselling to bereaved owners, I dedicate my time educating other veterinary professionals on pet bereavement support, so we can provide better support across the veterinary profession.
If we can also understand the psychological effects of pet bereavement then this will have a profound effect on our client’s long-term grief and mental health. Our duty of care should not just end once an animal has taken its last breath.
A positive euthanasia experience not only impacts our clients’ overall healing – it also leads to client retention.
Often, clients will be overwhelmed by the intensity of their grief and find themselves locked in a relentless cycle. This is when the role of a pet bereavement counsellor is crucial. It is not just the support we provide – it is also acknowledgement the grief they are experiencing is normal and acceptable.
Giving them coping strategies and helping them to find resolution is our ultimate goal.
Privilege
I feel extremely fortunate to have had some amazing opportunities during my career and feel very privileged to be able to make a real difference to people’s lives.
Providing better pet bereavement support is what drives me, and I will continue to do all that I can to make this happen.
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