[NAGDU] Pet Loss, Veterinary Wellness, and the Human-Animal Bond | Psychology Today

[james boehm]

Dear friends,
 I found the below article and thought I would share it with you. A lot of grieving is involved when retiring, losing, and training with a new guide. I am thankful that many of the schools provide support through such a difficult transition….

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> https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201702/pet-loss-veterinary-wellness-and-the-human-animal-bond <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201702/pet-loss-veterinary-wellness-and-the-human-animal-bond>
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> Pet Loss, Veterinary Wellness, and the Human-Animal Bond
> An interview with Adam Clark, founder of the Pet Loss Education Project.
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> The quiet house, empty dog bed, and coping after pet loss
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> Numerous people who choose to share their home with a companion animal (AKA "pet") are, at one time or another, faced with the loss of their good friend(s). Dealing with these losses can be extremely difficult, and I was thrilled to learn that Adam Clark <https://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/adam-clark-lsw-aasw>, an adjunct professor at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, is now writing about these issues for Psychology Today in a column called "Animal Attachment <https://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/adam-clark-lsw-aasw>." You also can learn more about Adam and his extremely important projects at Pet Loss Education & Support <http://www.lovelosstransition.com/>. The titles of some of his recent essays show just how important it is to deal with pet loss ("Hospice: Not Just for Humans Anymore, A Changing Paradigm <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-attachment/201702/hospice-not-just-humans-anymore-changing-paradigm>," "The Quiet House and Empty Dog Bed, Coping After Pet Loss <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-attachment/201702/the-quiet-house-and-empty-dog-bed-coping-after-pet-loss>," and "Four Steps to Take After Experiencing Pet Loss <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-attachment/201702/four-steps-take-after-experiencing-pet-loss>").  
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> I recently caught up with Adam and was glad he could take the time to answer a few questions about what he does and why. 
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> Please tell people about who you are and how you got interested in the growing field of pet loss.
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> Sure! I’m a writer and therapist in Colorado with a passion for the human-animal bond and specialize in pet loss education <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/education> and veterinary wellness. For many years I was extremely focused on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/therapy>. Throughout my undergraduate Social Work Program I actually convinced my program to allow me independent study that helped me pursue goals <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/motivation> of being an equine-assisted practitioner.
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> When I enrolled in my Master’s Program at University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, I became heavily associated and active in their Institute for Human-Animal Connection <https://www.google.com/#q=Insitiute+for+human-animal+connection+denver>, one of the only Institutes of its kind. It was here that I discovered the Argus Institute at Colorado State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and my focused shifted from equine-based work to what I’m doing today in the field of grief and loss.
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> I completed my graduate internship at Argus and subsequently was hired on to their team as a Clinical Counselor and Pet Loss Specialist. My passion flourished immediately and I was able to expand on my clinical experience. Since then I’ve become employed in Human Hospice to continue ascertaining experience and growing my skillset.
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> As of now, I’m engaged in multiple roles including an Adjunct Professor position at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. I continue to be involved in the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, and provide consulting/training to a few different organizations in the metro Denver area which have included Freedom Service Dogs, Denver Pet Partners, and I’m starting to get involved with Human-Animal Bond Trust and Denver Pet Food Pantry.
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> Pet loss education is my passion, as I believe it highlights the entirety of the human-animal bond. I teach to my students that grief is intrinsically vulnerable, and we cannot be unchanged as we process through our loss, whether it is a human or animal. It’s a place of immense change and heavy emotions.
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> My specialty also is much more than just pet loss itself. Included is the LINK <https://www.google.com/#q=link+between+human+and+animal+abuse> between human violence and animal abuse. I’m passionate about animal rights and welfare, and also focus on the inter-correlated link between mental health <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/health> (or poor coping strategies) and animal ownership as support. 
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> What do you hope to accomplish with Pet Loss Education for Professionals
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> The world of human-animal interaction is very large. There are many immediate animal professionals from dog walkers to pet sitters and animal behaviorists… to veterinary technicians, nurses, and veterinarians. Even pet groomers and pet product stores could be considered. All of these people experience personal pet loss, and encounter individuals experiencing the loss of their pets <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/animal-behavior> on a professional basis and day-to-day role
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> In addition, when people seek professional help through social workers, psychologists, marriage <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/marriage> and family therapists and licensed counselors, pet loss is a topic that I’ve seen arise again and again. Grief isn’t “within a box” and one loss experience can trigger reminders of other loss.
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> My hope is that professional training that is drawn from direct clinical experiences can help the professionals listed above with their practice. It helps them know “what to say” in these situations and avoids accidently saying something intending to be helpful, but can actually cause pain to a person who may be grieving <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/grief>.
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> How will you counsel people who seek out help in dealing with the loss of a companion animal?
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> Right now my goal is to educate counselors and clinicians in order to enhance their practice to new levels. I’ve seen many well intended professionals in the counseling field attempt to “counsel” pet loss as they believe it’s the same as your “average day to day grief.” I believe there are concrete differences associated with pet loss, and it’s very important for counselors to be understanding <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/empathy> of the intervention and experience they are providing to people that come to them for support. 
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> In my approach I draw upon my experience from Argus as well as my subsequent private practice. I also integrate my experiences in human hospice regarding coping styles, complicated grief, trauma <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/trauma>, guilt, etc. My connections in the veterinary community and work in veterinary wellness also apply to my mode of practice and education.
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> What are your future projects?
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> Right now I’m in the middle of a large project to launch a series of professional development courses to professionals that are looking to expand their practice and enhance their learning. People can signup at www.lovelosstransition.com <http://www.lovelosstransition.com/> if they are interested in being in the first round, launching soon!
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> Also, coming down the road is a podcast in which I’ve connected with a group passionate about veterinary wellness and animal oriented professionals. I can’t say much more yet, but it’s going to be amazing!
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> Is there anything else you'd like to tell readers?
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> I’d love <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/relationships> for people to visit my Psychology Today column <https://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/adam-clark-lsw-aasw> and check out the articles I’ve been publishing. My focus is mainly animal attachment <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/attachment> and pet loss, highlighting different topics each week. If there’s something you would like me to write about, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
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> I’d also love to hear from you. Send me an email at adam at lovelosstransition.com <mailto:adam at lovelosstransition.com>. No question is a silly question. I love collaboration <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/teamwork> and networking <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/social-networking> in any form. I love people that are passionate about animals, of all kinds! Even if you aren’t passionate about animals, send me an email – I’d love to hear why!
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> And, if you’re a veterinary professional as well, I’d also love to hear from you. We have a lot to talk about!
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> Thanks, Adam, for taking the time to answer these questions and to let people know about the important projects with which you're involved. I'm sure numerous people will be pleased to learn about ways to cope with the grief, trauma, and guilt  <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/guilt>when they or others lose their best friends. 
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> Marc Bekoff’s latest books are Jasper’s Story: Saving Moon Bears (with Jill Robinson), Ignoring Nature <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/environment> No More: The Case for Compassionate Conservation, Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed: The Fascinating Science of Animal Intelligence <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/intelligence>, Emotions, Friendship <https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/friends>, and Conservation, Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence, and The Jane Effect: Celebrating Jane Goodall (edited with Dale Peterson). The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age (with Jessica Pierce) will be published in April 2017 and Canine Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to the Best Lives For Dogs and Us will be published in early 2018.
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James Alan Boehm

Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
Human Developmental Counseling/Clinical Counseling: M. ED.

Contact Information
Phone: 901-483-1515
Email: James.A.Boehm at Vanderbilt.edu
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