1. 1. Bereavement, Grief and Euthanasia
2. 2.
   • Companion animals provide both parents and children with stability, constancy, and security
   • The human animal bond has made our pets part of the family
3. 3.
   • Pets are used to meet many of the changing psycho-social needs of modern society
   • When pet loss occurs, intensity and duration of attachment determine the significance of the loss and intensity of grief that follows.
4. 4.
   • Pets can take on symbolic meaning as reminders of both pleasant and traumatic events in peoples lives.
   • The degree of attachment is different for each pet and owner
5. 5. Keys to attachment
   • Owners believe that they rescued their pet from death or near death
   • Owners believe that their pet got them through a difficult period in life
   • Owner spent their childhood with their pet
6. 6. Keys to attachment
   • Owner has relied on their pet as their most significant source of support
   • Owner anthropomorphizes their pet
   • Owner has invested significant time, effort and money into their pets long term medical care
   • Owners view their pet as symbolic links to significant people who are no longer in their lives or to significant times in their lives.
7. 7.
   • Pets can take on symbolic meaning as reminders of both pleasant and traumatic events in peoples lives.
   • Grief can be intense
   • Grief is very individual, and each family member may grieve in a unique way
8. 8. As a child
   • Did you have a pet as a child?
   • What kind of pet did you have as a child?
   • Was it special to you?
   • Tell us why it was a special pet.
   • What happened to it?
9. 9. As an adult
   • As an adult, haveyou have a pet die?
   • What kind of pet was it?
   • Whats was its name?
   • How was it special to you?
10. 10.
    • Have you ever had to euthanize a pet?
    • Who made the decision?
11. 11.
    • A dog comes in and is diagnosed with systemic lymphosarcoma.
    • Euthanize or not?
12. 12.
    • A chicken has a fractured leg.
    • Euthanize or not?
13. 13.
    • A cat with feline aids.
    • Euthanize or not?
14. 14.
    • Barbaro.
    • Euthanize or not?
15. 15.
    • A 4 year old hamster with a tumor.
    • Euthanize or not?
16. 16.
    • A cow with a chronic history of prolapsed uterus.
    • Euthanize or not?
17. 17.
    • A cow with a chronic history of prolapsed uterus.
    • Euthanize or not?
    • A cow wouldnt be euthenized, it would be shipped to slaughter
18. 18.
    • What is your opinion about the use of animals or animal products for food, clothing, research, entertainment, or competition?
19. 19.
    • Your personal values may effect your perception and beliefs about euthanasia.
    • As a professional, you will have to participate in assisting in the process of euthanasia
20. 20.
    • It is important to understand your own feelings in order to be able to assist the client with their decision regarding euthanasia
    • In addition, you do not to make this process more difficult for the client by projecting your values into the situation
21. 21.
    • The euthanasia process
    • Explaining euthanasia to clients
    • Empathizing with clients
22. 22. Death and Dying
    • Kbler-Ross: Stages of dying
    • • Denial
    • • Anger
    • • Bargaining
    • • Depression
    • • Final acceptance
    • Bereavement and mourning
23. 23. denial
    • People are uncomfortable talking about death and dying
    • People dont consider that most pets life spans are much shorter than ours and that the grieving process is part of pet ownership
24. 24.
    • Veterinarians and technicians are confronted daily with complex issues of attachment, loss and grief in the course of their patients illnesses and deaths
25. 25.
    • Many times clients turn to the veterinary staff as sources of support, comfort, and understanding at and around the time of their pets death
    • Veterinary staff have a unique position since they have an understanding of the bond between owner and pet
26. 26.
    • Veterinary staff have the ability and responsibility to assist clients going through the process of grief when their beloved pet dies
27. 27.
    • You must give the client
    • • Support
    • • Understanding
    • • Empathy
    • • The permission to grieve
28. 28. Places to contact for help or referral sources for help with grief
    • Box 38-3pg 1184 in text
29. 29. Dealing with children and death
    • tell them the TRUTH
    • Explain in simple terms
    • Dont use euphemisms
    • Contact childrens support system
    • TRUTH!!!!!!!
30. 30. Factors that may complicate the grief process
    • Box 38-5pg 1187 in text
31. 31. Veterinarians and technicians
    • Work with death and client grief on an almost daily basis
    • Are emotionally involved with each patient
    • Are affected by every patients death
    • Need to assist in the euthanasia process
    • Need to deal with their own emotional health
    • Can burn out easily if not also allowed to grieve