PRIVATE PET BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING
Counsellor Glenda D Roberts’ specialised pet bereavement service was launched after she saw first-hand the impact losing a pet can have.When her Husky Quillia died in 2017, she was devastated. “We had had him for 10 years and when he died of cancer, I was hit with a wave of grief, different to anything that I’d had before,” said Glenda.“I had to take time off work and have therapy to start to come to terms with his loss.”
Fast-forward to the pandemic and Glenda is waiting outside her local vet’s while her other dog, Vaillia, is treated and she realises the people in the next car are sobbing with grief as their dog is being put to sleep and they’re not able to be there with them.
“I knew then what a need there was for pet owners to have somewhere to turn to when they’re dealing with grief and so we set up a bespoke counselling service for animal loss.”
Clients can see a counsellor face to face at Glenda’s practice in Sudbury, Suffolk, or via Zoom.The 57-year-old said that more and more people were using the confidential service, where they could talk about their pet and their emotions and be listened to and supported.
“Seeing a counsellor who specialises in pet bereavement means you’ll know that they will understand your loss.They won’t think you’re crazy
because your grief is over an animal.
“The loss of a pet can be heart-breaking because we have a very special relationship with them that we don’t have with humans — a pure, unconditional love. A cat will never let you down like a human. They are our comfort and our companions.”
She said that the death of a cat can also be the catalyst to bring up emotions about other losses that you’ve not dealt with, whether other bereavements or relationships or jobs.
A member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Glenda said that the cost for a specialist pet bereavement counselling service varied, but could be as little as £10 a session. She added: “Speaking to a specialist counsellor will mean that you will get the support that you need with no stigma, no pressure, and no judgement. If you’re struggling, then I know from my own experience how much counselling can help.”
You will get the support that you need with no stigma...
Glenda’s two specialist practices can be found at www.justtalk2019.com and www.exploringucounselling.co.uk, or find a specialist counsellor via a search engine.