Dana Durrance
Veterinary Grief Specialist and Consultant
"Dear friend,
"If you are reading this, you are likely dealing with some of the most difficult emotions you've ever experienced. When a beloved pet dies, many people are surprised by the intensity of their grief. Although normal and necessary, intense grief makes us all feel uncomfortable and we worry that something is going "wrong" with us. In reality, grief is a necessary, unavoidable process that occurs after the death of a loved one. Crying, intense sadness, and even anger are normal, healthy parts of the grief process. In fact, one scientific study revealed that the tears produced from an eye irritant are chemically different than the tears shed from grief (the grief tears contained different chemicals such as serotonin). This shows that as human beings, we are biologically disposed to cry when dealing with grief. While normal, these emotions are very difficult to bear and can even be embarrassing to describe to others. This is especially true when describing your grief to people who do not have pets in their lives, and it may be difficult for them to understand the intensity of your grief.
"Pets offer us a type of unconditional love that is difficult to find in our human relationships. Many people describe this type of love as pure and constant. Pets don't care about how much money we make or our appearance, and accept us despite our faults. They simply love and accept us for who we are. Given this profound type of relationship, it is perfectly normal to grieve over the loss of a beloved pet. Your level of attachment and closeness to the loved one is the key. Whether it is a person or an animal, it is the kind of relationship you shared with the loved one that will determine how intensely you grieve.
"One of the best ways to deal with your grief is to realize that these reactions are normal and to let these feelings run their natural course. Honoring your grief and validating your feelings are the first steps toward healing. What is most important is that you give yourself the time and space to grieve in your own personal way, and to seek the support that you feel is the most helpful.
"Pet Angel Memorial Center® is a caring, safe, refuge for a grieving pet owner. They recognize how intense your grief can be, and they have created multiple services to help grieving pet owners beyond just body care. They demonstrate this caring by offering pet loss support resources and consultations with grief specialists in the veterinary community. As a veterinary grief counselor myself, I can say without hesitation that Pet Angel Memorial Center® is a true leader in this area. They are committed to supporting their clients and always strive to offer the very best care available. I am proud to be part of Pet Angel Memorial Center® because their dedication to clients is evident in everything they do as a company. From top to bottom, they never lose sight of their primary goal ”that of providing grieving pet owners as much as possible."
Dana Durrance
Veterinary Grief Specialist and Consultant
Grief Support Materials
Developed by our nationally renowned grief specialist, Dana Durrance, the Pet Angel Memorial Center'® grief resource materials provide you and your family with guidance and support through the euthanasia and pet after-care processes in a compassionate, informative way.
These materials include: brochures on euthanasia, grief, and cremation; guidance for talking to children about pet loss; inspirational and comforting literature; and ideas for memorializing a beloved pet. If you would like any of these materials to help guide and support you through this difficult time, please ask your veterinarian for a copy. If your veterinarian is not a Pet Angel Memorial Center® partner, you can ask them to contact your local Memorial Center, or you may visit our centers to pick up a copy.
Grief Resources
Pet Angel Memorial Center® has compiled a list of national resources that provide support and guidance to you and your family.