Gc 580 Pet Loss And Human Emotion

Course overview

This course is designed to assist anyone in the helping professions to understand what a pet owner may be experiencing when their companion animal dies. Assessing the role that pets play in the lives of clients is presented. An assessment of the role an animal plays in the life of the client and careful consideration of how that affects their daily functioning, self esteem, sense of well being and identity. Specifics about the procedure of euthanasia are given along with guidelines for assisting clients in working through all the issues that present before, during and after euthanasia is performed. Case studies are reviewed regarding experiences of special types of pet loss such as accidents, a pet being stolen or being killed by someone, divorce situations and missing pets. Strategies for how helping professionals may best navigate potentially explosive situations and handle the complex emotions of pet owners due to these special circumstances of pet loss are studied. Guidelines for acquiring a new pet are detailed with a special eye to timing and each individual's unique situation. Behavioral manifestations of grief and loss are studied as they related to issues of pet loss. Course Code: GC 580. Contact hours of continuing education = 30. Instructor/Course Author: Jennifer Melvin, MSW, BSW, LCSW