Pets can be very important members of the family system. The human-animal bond can be particularly powerful due to the consistent unconditional love pets offer, especially in families where emotional neglect is present. Therefore, the death of a pet may be overwhelming and cause significant emotional distress.
The importance of human-animal bonds have often been overlooked, but thankfully that trend is changing. At this time, more research is being funded to better understand the unique relationship shared with our four-legged friends.
The resource available to assist with the grieving process is ever growing, here are just a few:
Books:
- Going Home, by Jon Katz
Internet resources: