Pet Loss and Grief

Identifying At-risk Pet Owners during the Euthanasia Process

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2162006
AutoresSandra Barnard-Nguyen (Small Animal Specialist Hospital, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia), Megan Breit (0000-0002-5983-2691, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Renton, Washington, USA), Keith A Anderson (0000-0002-9637-2313, University of Montana), Joelle Nielsen (The Ohio State University)
Año2016
Volumen29
Número3
Páginas421-430
Fecha de publicación2016-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAnthrozoös (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0892-7936 • E-ISSN: 1753-0377
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08927936.2016.1181362
OpenAlexW2509738499
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas18
Referencias citadas25

Pet owners often experience complex and profound grief reactions when their animals are euthanized. Veterinary staff are increasingly being called upon to be aware of and to respond to the grief reactions of pet owners at this critical time. The objectives of this study were to identify pet owners who are most at risk of grief and to suggest veterinary interventions during the euthanasia process. A convenience sample of 409 pet owners whose animals had been euthanized in the past year took part in a survey. Variables of interest included pet and pet-owner demographics, pet-death characteristics, attachment to pet, and bereavement reactions. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify factors related to the three grief reaction subtypes: sorrow, anger, and guilt. Results indicated that attachment to pets was a strong predictor of feelings of grief/sorrow (p < 0.001) and anger (p < 0.001). Sudden death was also related to feelings of anger (p < 0.05). Cancer diagnosis was negatively related to feelings of anger (p < 0.05) and guilt (p < 0.01). The findings from this study provide additional insight into the complexity of grief following pet euthanasia. For veterinary staff, anticipating the needs of pet owners and supporting them through the grief process is an integral role. Understanding which pet owners are at greatest risk of grief is an important initial step, followed by empathic communications, sensitive interactions, and the provision of grief support

Anger · Animal welfare · Animal-assisted therapy · Complicated grief · Disenfranchised grief · Feeling · Grief · Pet therapy · Psychotherapist · Sorrow · Traumatic grief · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Infant Health and Development · Medicine · Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Social Psychology