A pet can offer comfort, companionship and motivation for their owners, especially in these uncertain times.
Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic has seen unprecedented interest in people adding pets to their families.
But what happens when we lose our beloved animals?
The death of a family pet can hit people hard.
Our member Glenda Roberts says pet bereavement counselling can help people acknowledge their emotions.
“Pets mean so much to us,” she said. “They’re a big part of our lives and a huge part of our families.
“When people lose a pet, there can be a big void in their lives and leave them wondering what to do.
“Often people will say that it’s just a pet, but it’s not just a pet and a lot of people struggle.
“And during the pandemic, for some people pets have become their lifeline. The pet will be with you at home, your companion, and there when somebody or something isn’t or can’t.”
Glenda, who lost Quillia, her 10-year-old Siberian Husky, two years ago, has begun pet bereavement counselling at her Just Talk 2019 service in Suffolk.
She was invited on to BBC Radio Suffolk’s mid-morning show to discuss pet bereavement counselling, and said sessions can offer people an outlet for their emotions.
“Sometimes you feel beside yourself, you feel lost, you feel emotional and that you can’t share this with somebody, particularly somebody who hasn’t lost a pet because they might not quite understand,” she said.
“Pet bereavement counselling can provide that space, that time and that lending ear. It can give a person going through this loss that space and what they need to get through a difficult time.”
Find a BACP counsellor in your area with the help of our directory.