There is deep, difficult grief that comes with the death of a pet. And yet, pet loss is often an example of disenfranchised grief 鈥� grief not acknowledged or considered 鈥渧alid鈥� by mainstream culture.
Host Anita Rao talks with two people about the significance of losing pets and the realities of the grief process. Corban Smith got his dog, Dallas, as a puppy when he was 19, and . Sarina Manifold, a licensed clinical social worker with specialized training in veterinary social work, helps pet owners through end-of-life decision-making and conducting memorial ceremonies.
Smith is an adjunct professor at James Madison University and a jail/emergency services clinician at . Manifold is also a certified grief recovery specialist and the owner of .
In the network of care created for those experiencing the loss of a pet, veterinarians often do more of the supporting than being supported. Rao talks with Dr. Erika Lin-Hendel about the mental toll this takes on vets and what can be done to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue in veterinary communities. Dr. Lin-Hendel is a relief veterinarian and board member for , a mental health advocacy group for veterinarians.
Thanks to Christine Stone, Angela, Haley and Erik Magnus for their contributions to this episode.
Ways to Memorialize Your Pet
Have a Paw Imprint Made
Many veterinary practices will offer to make a clay imprint of your pet鈥檚 paw after they die, which can serve as a reminder of them.
鈥淚 have the clay paw impression next to the urn, and I've got a candle beside that. And it's just a space where if I really want to stay connected with my animal, I go there.鈥� - Sarina Manifold
Attend a Memorial Celebration and Make Art
In social worker Sarina Manifold鈥檚 time working at the University of Tennessee, she facilitated a celebration featuring an art project.
鈥淢emory boxes, making a memory candle, doing picture collages 鈥� just things like that can be really helpful for people.鈥�
Spread Their Ashes
If your pet has been cremated, visit a space they loved and spread the ashes there.
鈥淲hen we went back home [to Alabama] for Christmas that year, we took his ashes with us, and we spread them where he seemed the happiest.鈥� - Corban Smith
Donate Your Animal鈥檚 Old Items or Your Time Towards Other Pets
Passing on toys or volunteering with a local shelter can be a way to give things that made them happy new appreciation and honor your animal鈥檚 role in your life.
鈥淭here are a lot of people who end up volunteering at animal shelters, or volunteering with a rescue after their animal鈥檚 death as a way to honor what their animal did for them.鈥� - Sarina Manifold
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