CoUNSELING SERVICES
Best Friend Gone Project
The Best Friend Gone Project is a service offered by LSU Vet Med to help those are dealing with the loss of a pet. Grief is the emotional process that one experiences following a loss. It can be thought of as the process of letting go or saying goodbye. The emotions experienced during the grief process can be intense and seem overwhelming, and occasionally people may feel their emotions are "out of control." However, it is common for pet owners to feel:
- Numb
- Guilty
- Angry
- Lonely
- Hopeless
- Depressed
- Anxious
- Withdrawn
- Fatigued
Anticipated Grief Process
Anticipatory grief is the distress a person may feel in the days, months, or even years before the death of a loved one or impending loss. Anticipatory grief can develop from unexpected diagnoses, e.g. diabetes, cancer, paralysis, and expensive treatments. Those experiencing anticipatory grief report feeling anxiety, dread, guilt, and an intense preoccupation with the pet to name a few.
Please note that pet parents may also develop caregiver fatigue during this time as well; tasks that contribute to caregiver fatigue include caring for an animal who has accidents in the house, administering subcutaneous fluids, managing multiple medications, and/or assisting with mobility issues. As a pet parent experiencing this kind of fatigue, remember to give yourself grace; caregiving is exhausting! Remember that having the associated feelings with caregiver fatigue does NOT mean you love your pet any less. Try to prioritize your self-care, too. Lastly, do not forget the reason you are going through all of this—the love and bond you share with your pet—so carve out time to spend with them in a non-caregiving capacity.
THE GRIEF JOURNEY THAT STARTS BEFORE THE LOSS: ANTICIPATORY GRIEF
Grief Process
The nature and duration of the grief process is unique to everyone. With the loss of a beloved pet, grief may last from a few days to a few years. Many times, sleep or appetite disturbances accompany grief, too. Veterinarians and mental health professionals recognize and agree that there is a legitimate grief response to animal loss. Grief is normal.
Children who are grieving a pet's death may be unable or unwilling to verbalize their feelings. Bereaved adults may feel they lost a companion who was more constant and significant than any human in their daily live.
Too often, however, grief resulting from a pet's death is unrecognized or unsanctioned by society, and sometimes even by those closest to us. People may encounter those who innocently hurt them with remarks such as "Just get another..." or "It was just a dog/cat/horse/bunny...". Owners may even be ridiculed about the amount of time or money spent on treatment and/or memorialization. Sympathy and support are often unavailable or not offered to bereaved pet owners yet understanding is helpful in making a healthy recovery.
Recovery from Grief
Recovery from grief can be made easier through knowledge of the process and sharing feelings with others who understand. The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine has recognized this need and offers help. The Best Friend Gone Project offers assistance when a pet has died or when death is anticipated. Support is offered in the form of:
- Telephone Consults
- Private Counseling
- Recommendations
Rainbow Bridge
At St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services Campus (31078 Hwy 36, Lacombe, LA 70445), Scott's Wish and Mardi Paws donated The Rainbow Bridge "...as a memorial site dedicated to pets in hopes of giving pet owners a tangible space to remember and honor their furry friends. We're hoping the special place provides a sense of closure and allows pet owners to pay tribute to the companionship, love, and joy their pets brought into their lives." The Rainbow Bridge is open 7 days a week during daylight hours. Leashed pets are welcome. For more information, please visit:
Additional Resources
Counselor
Mrs. Kayla Baudoin, MSW, LCSW (she/her/hers) is a licensed clinical social worker trained to deal with issues surrounding anticipated grief, end-of-life decisions, and grief and loss of a beloved companion. As the Best Friend Gone Project counselor, Mrs. Baudoin, can be reached at 225-578-9452 or via email at kbaudoin@lsu.edu.
Due to licensure regulations, you must be a resident of Louisiana to utilize these counseling services.