An Exploratory Study of Veterinary Professionals’ Self-Reported Support of Bereaved Clients Before, During, and After Companion Animal Euthanasia in Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Bibliographic Data

ID13630540
AuthorsAlisha Matte (0000-0003-4490-1786, University of Guelph, corresponding author), Alisha R Matte (Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada), Deep K Khosa (0000-0002-4555-7596, Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada), Michael P Meehan (Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada), Michael Meehan (0000-0002-9781-1365, University of Guelph), Jason B Coe (0000-0002-0811-5051, Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada), Lee Niel (0000-0002-0536-1003, Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada)
Year2019
Volume83
Issue3
Pages352-370
Publication date2019-06-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0030222819853924
PMID31161959
OpenAlexW2948569176
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited27

Veterinary professionals are recognized as an important source of support for many veterinary clients, particularly during companion animal euthanasia and end-of-life care. While many veterinary professionals recognize the importance of their role, many also report feeling unsure about what methods of support are most effective. Furthermore, few evidence-based guidelines currently exist to inform veterinary professionals on the support of grieving clients. To begin bridging this gap, this study qualitatively explored how veterinary professionals currently report supporting grieving clients before, during, and after companion animal euthanasia. Findings suggest that veterinary participants in this study strive to be meaningful sources of support for grieving clients and employ an array of support practice to do so. However, opportunities exist for veterinary professionals to better explore clients' needs, expectations, and feelings as they relate to companion animal euthanasia, including offering more grief-related resources and access to professional counseling services

Companion animal · Exploratory research · Feeling · Grief · Psychiatry · Veterinary medicine · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology · Veterinary Practice and Education Studies

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