Pet Loss Support Guidelines for Veterinary Teams

Recent studies demonstrate that while veterinary teams strive to provide compassionate and effective support for their clients dealing with the loss of their animal companions, barriers to care still exist (Matte et al, 2019, Grossman & Freedman, 2016). These barriers include but are not limited to: engaging in difficult end-of-life discussions, handling of financial transactions in a sensitive manner, addressing aftercare options, providing pet loss resources and referrals, and engaging in follow-up with clients.

This presentation will provide participants with a set of Best Practice Guidelines that can be used by veterinary teams when providing support to clients. The Guidelines have been developed as a result of a 2020 research study conducted by Seneca College and VCA Canada, in which over 300 individuals who have experienced pet loss, veterinary care providers and industry experts were consulted. The Guidelines cover the full spectrum of care including end-of-life discussions and decisions, hospice and palliative care, euthanasia and death, aftercare and memorialization, and client support after loss.

Those anticipating and mourning the loss of their animals require compassionate care but staff working in the animal care community often do not receive formalized training on how to provide such care. Clients however, expect that their loss will be understood, validated and honoured, and that care will be provided accordingly. When client’s expectations of care are not met, not only do clients experience challenges to their grieving process, but veterinary professionals experience a reduced sense of wellbeing, reduced job satisfaction and overall greater emotional strain (Matte et al, 2019).

The Best Practice Guidelines aim to address both of these inter-related issues. Skills acquisition is considered a strong buffer to compassion fatigue and so the more equipped staff feel in responding to clients in grief, the less likely they are to experience burnout and compassion fatigue (Figley, 2002). When staff are equipped, they are more likely to provide clients with meaningful care thus ensuring everyone’s needs are better met. As a result of participating in this presentation, Veterinary Social Workers can take the information gained to validate existing practices and aid in the development of new ones through the lens of a holistic approach to end-of-life issues.

Learning Objectives:

•Develop an understanding of key challenges people face when interacting with their veterinary care providers at the time of animal companion loss.

•Identify best practices for how veterinary teams can support clients at the time of animal companion loss, specifically in the areas of end-of-life discussions and aftercare.

References: Figley, C. R. (Ed.). (2002). Psychosocial stress series, no. 24. Treating compassion fatigue. Brunner-Routledge.

Grossman, S. & Freedman, E. (2016). PetLoss Partners end of life care/pet loss study: Important insights into a client’s perspective and the impact it has on your practice. www.petlosspartners.com

Matte, A. R., Khosa, D. K., Meehan, M. P., Coe, J. B., & Niel, L. (2019). An Exploratory Study of Veterinary Professionals’ Self-Reported Support of Bereaved Clients Before, During, and After Companion Animal Euthanasia in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying.

Matte, AR., Khosa, DK., Coe, JB., Meehan, MP. (2019) Impacts of the process and decision-making around companion animal euthanasia on veterinary wellbeing Veterinary Record 185, 480