For a fond and dignified farewell
Better Support for Bereaved Pet Owners
Veterinary Press - 20th January 2007
Heather Barlow a PDSA veterinary nurse working in Plymouth is urging veterinary practices throughout the country to provide more and better support for bereaved pet owners. Her missionary zeal comes from the fact that she has just started training to become a Pet Bereavement Counsellor following an initial course with CPC, the UK’s leading pet crematorium and the Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS), run by The Blue Cross and the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS).
Heather says: ”People can find it just as distressing to lose a pet as it is to lose a close friend or family member. No-one understands this better than CPC, who have been helping bereaved pet owners to say their final farewells to much-loved pets for the last 27 years. However veterinary staff who euthanase sick and suffering animals are not always so alert to the needs of grieving owners at the time of loss as they themselves may be sad or upset.”
Heather attended the Part One Pet Bereavement course at Staverton Park, Daventry. “Although I have dealt with bereaved pet owners for the last 25 years the course increased my understanding of the grieving process considerably. It has given me far greater confidence in my ability to comfort and support bereaved pet owners and made it easier to talk the owners through their responsibilities and the options for disposing of the body,” Heather added.
The CPC/PBSS course helps build essential skills to understand client’s needs before, during and after euthanasia, ensuring that staff establish rapport with emotional clients at a critical time, and maintain a positive practice image.
“The Part One course is highly interactive. One of the most valuable elements is the way it gets delegates to first listen in order to improving empathy,” recollects Heather. “I appreciate the way the course works to the advantage of the veterinary practices whose staff attend,” Heather continued. “A more compassionate service to bereaved pet owners can only encourage them to return to the practice with other pets or a new pet, or to recommend a compassionate vet or nurse to their friends.”
In addition to enlightening veterinary nurses and receptionists, the courses are praised for the way they accommodate the needs of the delegates. Heather concludes: “Everything has been considered; from choosing an easily accessible venue with attractive and calming views to providing luncheon choices with the vegan option I required.”
The intensive one-day programme ‘Pet Bereavement Support in Veterinary Practice’, is offered as two parts to meet the needs of all veterinary professionals seeking to expand their skills in this area. Part One provides basic training on supporting newly bereaved clients and develops confidence in handling emotional situations. Part Two has been designed to help experienced professionals build on their knowledge of pet bereavement and develop practical support skills.
There are ten training courses during 2007. Further information and booking forms can be requested on 01763 207750. Dates available are:
Part One
1 March Theobalds Park, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
22 March Hartsfield Manor, Dorking, Surrey
19 April Alexandra House, Swindon, Oxfordshire
14 June Ettington Chase, Stratford-upon-Avon
5 July Harben House, Newport Pagnell, Bucks
6 September Eastwood Hall, Nottingham, Notts
1 November Cheadle House, Manchester, Cheshire
22 November Matfen Hall, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear
Part Two
17 May Sunningdale Park, Ascot, Surrey
4 October Staverton Park, Daventry, Northants
