Diploma In Pet Bereavement

Become a Pet Bereavement Counsellor

You can help grieving pet owners come to terms with the loss of their pet.

From Kit Sadgrove

Pet Bereavement Course Director

Hello,

I remember the exact moment when the vet pushed the euthanasia needle into the paw of my old dog, Aran.

It was on the kitchen floor. He looked trustingly at me as the needle went in. And then he died.

The image is still sharp in my mind. And yet that was nine years ago.

The house felt different for months. And there's still a hole in my heart.

And that grief is repeated in households up and down the country every day.

There are 27 million pets in the UK alone, with a pet in 4 out of every 10 UK households.

Sadly, all these animals eventually die, and many have a much shorter lifespan than humans.

Some die suddenly, while others go into a gradual decline. Many pet owners (like me) have to go though the agonising decision of having their pet put to sleep.

Many pets also go missing or are stolen, never to return. Overall, that's a lot of tragedy.

Help people deal with the loss of a pet

I know that you have real empathy for people who lose their animal. I know that because you're still with me on this page.

And that's why you could help owners deal with their pet loss. By becoming a Pet Bereavement Counsellor, you could bring comfort and understanding to owners who experience the death of a pet.

People who don't have a pet often don't understand the immense mourning a person can experience when a pet dies. We're supposed to bottle up our grief.

For me, I had children and a partner. So although it was painful for me and them, we had each other for consolation.

But many people live alone, and lack someone they can talk to.

Even if you have family, the pain is still intense. It's especially difficult for young children who find it hard to come to terms with the loss of their companion. You can help them cope.

Yet there are very few pet loss counsellors.

If you choose to learn the skills of a pet bereavement counsellor, you could help people get through their pain.

You'll discover how to counsel the pet owner through each stage of their grief, and show them they can move on whilst keeping precious memories of their beloved pet.

You may also be needed to help with the practicalities of pet loss, such as cremation or burial, scattering of ashes, a memorial service and a memorial. The Diploma in Pet Bereavement Counselling will show you how to assist with all these situations.

How to start your own Pet Bereavement Counselling practice

There's a big opportunity in pet loss counselling – because there's so much demand for it and so little supply.