Grieving pet owners – what is your approach?

Re: Grieving pet owners – what is your approach?

Duncan Francis — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:41:12 GMT

Thank you for all the responses so far regarding bereavement care.

I am sorry you had to wait two days for your account to be activated in order for you to be able to complete the survey. Our team here aim to activate new accounts within two working days and often are activated quicker, however during busy periods or over weekends this is not always possible. The survey itself consists of only five questions and the results are instantaneous.

As has been mentioned, the vast majority of nurses and receptionists who've been charged with dealing with bereaved clients only have their years of experience and instinct to work from. Many of them have learned how to deal with situations but have never had the reassurances that training provides. Others don't understand why some clients behave "out of character" when faced by the loss of a pet. Most fail to realise the emotional impact that dealing with bereaved clients has on them directly and don't recognise the changes in their own behaviour. Addressing these issues is just as important as delivering improved support to owners.

Our pet bereavement courses offer vet staff practical training, which counts towards their CPD. We are hoping to run more courses in the coming year but we're currently looking for sponsors to help us by providing suitable training locations or funding to enable us to keep delegate costs down to a minimum.

If you would like to register an interest in attending a bereavement workshop please click here to leave your details.

Re: Grieving pet owners – what is your approach?

Angel — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:50:43 GMT

Was the CPC course expensive Kate?

I would like to do something like this but don't have much money.

Re: Grieving pet owners – what is your approach?

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:50:02 GMT

I did the CPC bereavement workshop a few years ago and found it to be extremely useful and very applicable to day-to-day practice - highly recommended.

Re: Grieving pet owners – what is your approach?

Steph Phillips — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:21:29 GMT

Got to wait about 2 days to take the survey though!

Probably more than 90% of vets / nurses have animals of their own, and they know what its like to loose a pet.. so of course they understand..

My opinion is - most people who work with animal (vets / vet nurses) have the dignified, sympathetic, caring & understanding approach built into them already! . If they dont then they are in the wrong job!