Grief can exist in many different forms and can impact our ability to cope with a loss. The American Psychological Association defines grief as “the anguished experienced after significant loss”. This month’s mentor article will focus specifically on grief related to pets and how this might show up in the workplace.

According to Forbes Magazine it is estimated that approximately 66% of US households own a pet, which is roughly 86.9 million homes. Additionally, many Americans consider their pets as family members. When taking these numbers into consideration, it comes as no surprise that the loss of a pet can have a significant impact on one’s life and evoke strong feelings of grief. It is said that pet grief is comparable to grieving the loss of a human loved one.

Pets play a significant role in the lives of pet owners and the benefits to owning a pet are well studied and plentiful. Having a pet can decrease feelings of loneliness, give owners a sense of purpose, evoke feelings of empathy and benefits overall health.

Just like after losing a human loved one, the five stages of grief denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are applicable when losing a pet. Knowing these stages can be helpful in providing an emotional framework when navigating complex emotions related to pet loss. More information and resources related to stages of grief can be found here: https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/

There can also be feelings of anticipatory grief when caring for an aging pet or a pet with complex medical needs. Anticipatory grief is the feeling of grief or loss that one may feel before the loss actually happens. This type of grief can occur as an attempt to prepare for the future, process feelings related to the gradual changes in our pets that we see and to emotionally rehearse the separation and what life will look like after it happens.

When preparing for or coping with the loss of a pet there are a variety of supports and resources that are available. Below is a list of resources that may be helpful:

  • In the Comfort of Home and other organizations offer at home euthanasia
  • Mohawk Hudson Humane Society offers a pet bereavement support group
  • Animal Protective Foundation offers a pet bereavement support group
  • Your veterinarian can also provide support and guidance in navigating end of life care for your pet
  • EAP counseling with Capital EAP

Taking time for yourself is also important when dealing with the loss of a pet. This may look like taking time off from work to process and tap into self-care. Below are some tips for advocating for your needs during this time and/or taking time off:

  • Communicate directly with your supervisor
  • Inform your manager/supervisor about your loss and the impact that it is having on you
  • Discuss productivity and difficulty focusing during this difficult time
  • Ask for help with prioritizing tasks
  • Discuss flexible options such as working from or a reduced work load

If you or someone you know is going through grief and loss of a pet, know that there is support available. Our EAP team is here and ready to support you. You can reach out to us at 518-465-3813 to connect with our intake team, who can help you set up an appointment.

By: Meryl Tremblay, LMSW, EAP Counselor