Helping Clients Heal After the Loss of a Beloved Animal
By J. Scott Janssen, MSW, LCSW For Joyce, one of the hardest times after the death of her Golden retriever Zeke was when she arrived home after work. For months, coming back to an empty house rarely failed to evoke feelings of sadness. "He'd always been there to greet me. People told me I should be over it; he was just a dog, but for me it was like losing my best friend in the entire world." Relationships with animals can be every bit as important and meaningful as with humans. When people talk about their pets they often use words such as unconditional love, loyalty, and affection. Amid the often pressurized interactions we have with others in which communication may be strained and agendas in conflict, people often report feeling completely safe and accepted when with their animals. In a world full of stress and responsibilities, pets may be a primary source of spontaneity, playfulness, and joy. Touch is often central in our interactions with animals and physical e
