Companion Animal Bereavement

During 30 years in human healthcare as a Registered General Nurse, Angela developed a strong interest in end-of-life issues and communicating with the dying and bereaved with empathy and sensitivity. With a life-long passion and interest in animal welfare, it was a natural progression to specialise in companion animal bereavement support. Shortly after gaining her diploma in this area in 2001, she was asked to set up and run an innovative national pet bereavement support service for a small charity, called Environmental Animal Sanctuary & Education (EASE) in the United Kingdom. Over the years Angela has developed her own unique methods of communicating with bereaved pet owners, and written a wide range of support literature on the subject, including a children's activity book. In 2021 her first book for owners was published and is currently available worldwide. In 2012, she was awarded a Fellowship by the Society of Bereavement Practitioners in respect of her work, and in 2021 the Society presented her with their prestigious 'President's Award of Merit'. After learning to teach in the adult sector, she moved into teaching and lecturing on this subject, and has successfully presented to vet staff and animal welfare organisations on this subject. In 2015 Angela was invited to lecture at the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) annual conference, the video of which can be viewed on her website: www.petlosspress.com .

1: Perspective from Opposite Sides of the Consulting Table 2: Communicating with Distressed Owners 3: Approaching End-of-life Issues with Owners 4: The Owner's Resources 5: End-of-life Planning 6: Supporting the Owner as They Find the Right Time to Say Goodbye 7: Euthanasia for Pet Behaviour Problems 8: Euthanasia, Sudden Death and Natural Death 9: After-death Services and Memorials 10: Supporting the Newly Bereaved Pet Owner 11: Difficulties During the Grief Process 12: Children and Companion Animal Bereavement 13: Guiding Owners – Caring for Grieving Animals and Taking on a New Pet 14: The Personal Cost of Caring 15: From Compassion Fatigue to Compassion Resilience 16: A Holistic Approach to End-of-life Support in Practice 1: Epilogue 2: References and Resources