Support Through the Loss of a Beloved Pet

I love animals, and I suspect you are here too because you feel the same way. They give us much joy, love, companionship, and much more and they ask for very little back in return.

After qualifying as a counselling psychotherapist in 2014, I decided to train to become a pet bereavement counsellor. This was mainly steered by my own personal experience of pet loss (see my blog page for more details).

Our pets are family, they offer unconditional love, companionship, structure, comfort and much more. I believe that pet loss deserves recognition, compassion, empathy and understanding, just like other significant losses.     

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My aim is to provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about your grief, honour the special bond you shared, and feel supported as you navigate life moving forward without them.

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Sometimes our grief starts before the loss of the pet, for example when we see signs of decline, ill health or when our pets slow down or reach a certain age. As a result, you may feel sad, anxious, or begin to fear the prospect of your pet not being here. You may feel guilt, anger, or shame for having these feelings when your pet is still alive. Some people will struggle to understand why you are feeling this way, and you may feel confused about this, too. The most important thing is not to judge how you feel, but to seek support if these thoughts and feelings begin to overwhelm you. 

Sometimes saying goodbye to our beloved pets means making difficult and sometimes quick decisions about euthanasia. Pet’s dying this way is more common than a pet dying naturally, but this knowledge rarely brings comfort.

You may be here because you are struggling with the decision you made, or you have regrets about what happened to your pet after they had passed away.

 Alongside my therapy training, I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), a therapeutic approach that can be particularly helpful for people who have experienced the traumatic loss of a beloved pet. If the loss was sudden, unexpected, or your pet died under distressing circumstances, this can leave painful memories that are difficult to process, making grief more complicated. EMDR may help you work through these distressing experiences by reducing the emotional intensity associated with traumatic memories.   

I am a member of the Association of Pet Bereavement Counsellors. Click here to view their website.