Why would a pet loss support group be helpful?
Many of us feel awkward or self-conscious about expressing our grief when an animal we love is terminally ill, has gone missing, or has died. Some of us aren’t even sure we have a legitimate right to grieve the loss of our pets. Our culture doesn’t help very much with this kind of loss, either. When pet death occurs, there is no automatic time off from work, and there aren’t any formal, public, socially accepted rituals where sorrow can be shared and support can be obtained from others. Yet studies show that the more support and understanding we have around us, the better we’ll cope with our grief and the sooner we’ll come to terms with our loss. Whenever two or more people share the painful experience of coping with the loss or death of a cherished companion animal, there is a place for a pet loss support group. Is a pet loss support group a form of group therapy? It’s important to note that group support is not the same as group therapy. Support groups aren’t meant to cure long-stand
