As a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience, I offer clients a specialized setting where they can learn to grow around their loss and develop an understanding of how their past/current human-pet relationships have influenced their lives and overall life satisfaction.
The attachment between humans and animals is often so strong that it is common to mourn similarly to the feelings and behaviors associated with losing a human family member. The death of a pet is often the first experience a child has with loss. Children tend to grieve differently than adults, needing lots of love, guidance, and support. Parents have an essential role in helping their children cope with the loss of the family pet and help them learn to grow around their grief.