You aren’t going to want to read this story. Nobody wants to think of their pet dying. If your old pup is curled on the sofa next to you or your beloved cat is making biscuits on your shoulder, your first instinct might be to click away – that goes double if your child and pet are best buddies. With the wish that you don’t need this information for a very long while, there are some things to consider now, to ease the burden later.
The grief of losing a pet is tremendous. For children, it is often their first encounter with the reality of death and it can shape their view of life and its end. Angie Childers, Grief Support Coordinator at Oasis Animal Hospital, has the difficult, honorable job of walking alongside families as they prepare to let go of their four-legged loved ones. Choosing the time to say goodbye is a decision to make in consultation with your veterinarian. And if your child needs extra support, be sure to reach out to their pediatrician for additional resources.
“It’s not that I enjoy that process, but I actually enjoy being able to be the technician that’s there for them and help them through that moment,” Childers said. “It’s a very difficult moment. Most of the time, the clients are with their pet while they say goodbye. Sometimes it’s too hard for them, and I make sure that myself or someone is there with (their pet). They’re always loved up until that last second. I see it as an unfortunate necessity in this field, but I’m honored to get to be there and help them through that process in any way that I can.”