Rainbow bridge : preparing and dealing with the death of a beloved animal-companion

Abstract

This study explored the experiences of individuals who had to prepare and deal with the death of an animal-companion. As the research explored direct experiences of bereaved animal-owners, a qualitative approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), was considered the most appropriate for this study. The study also addressed participants’ impressions about counselling and their perception of counselling in relation to animal-companion grief. Semi-structured audio-recorded individual interviews were conducted with seven participants. The findings suggest that when participants needed to provide care for larger animals for a period of time before the animal passed away, they experienced anticipatory grief and caregiver’s burden and stress. The data also show that anticipatory grief has both negative and positive aspects. Participants noted that they were quite unhappy with the services provided by their veterinarians and that veterinarians need to meet the clients’ needs on an individual basis. The need for a pet cemetery was highlighted as participants did not have a means whereby they could bury their animal-companions and then be free to visit them when they wanted. The data also evidence that, even though participants grieved for their animals, they experienced disenfranchised grief as the death of an animal-companion is not acknowledged by all sectors of society. The study highlighted the fact that, because participants were unsure of what was normal behaviour, they did not seek individual counselling as they prepared and dealt with the death of their animal-companions. Recommendations as elicited from the data include further research as to how counselling helps those preparing and dealing with the death of an animal-companion, the training of counsellors and veterinarians in grief therapy and an awareness of the effects of losing an animal-companion. The implementation of a national policy which caters for bereavement leave for those grieving the loss of an animal-companion is also recommended. This policy should include the establishment of a pet cemetery. Public awareness on animal grief counselling and the experiences of such individuals is highlighted.