Angela Fletcher Pet Bereavement Counselling

General information

Support with the loss, or expected loss of a pet BACP registered counsellor (MBACP) Bereavement If you've come to my home page, you have probably experienced the death of a pet. Although we will each get affected by the death of an animal differently, you are most likely coming to my web pages because you have been affected a lot by that death. For that, I'm so sorry, I really am - experiencing the death of a cherished pet can be the hardest thing any of us can go through - unfortunately I can say that myself from speaking from personal experience - experience I wish I didn't have. I too have felt absolutely devastated from not just one, but from a handful of pets of mine that have died - or more specifically for which I have ended up making that horrible decision to take them to the vets to have them 'put to sleep'. I 'lost' Syd cat nearly 20 years ago, after which time I trained, qualified and worked as a counsellor. Subsequently, over the last 4 years, I have 'lost' more pet cats - Tim , Ted, Tommy and most recently Freddy, ranging from an 11 month old to an 18 year old. I know (how it feels for me) to be bereaved from the death of a beloved pet. I know first hand how painful it can be. I also know how lonely it can be - especially if no one else around you understands the depths of your grief. It is as a result of my own experience of pet bereavement that I realised that 'losing' a pet tends not to be given the same importance as the death of a human being - that a bereaved pet owner is perhaps not expected to be as upset as if they had 'lost' a family member or a friend ... 'it's only a cat' 'you can get another one' People are less like to say: 'it was only your dad' 'you can have another child' This is why I decided to offer myself as a counsellor for pet owners dealing with their grief from 'losing' their pet - ('losing' being society's way of covering up the reality of death - to call it something different). It may be that the healing you need, either with family or friends, or on your own, is to cry and cry and cry - if that is the case, do not underestimate the importance and healing value of crying - and crying, and crying. However, you may feel the need to talk or just 'be' with someone you don't know - either face to face, on the phone, or chatting online. Everyone is different, and we all need different types of support as we go through our lives. If you feel that you need support from other people, please see below, as I have included some information about obtaining outside help. Also below, and on other pages of this website, I have included additional information about myself - if you would like to see if I can be of any help during your grieving. If you do come to see me - before or after the death of your pet, I would hope that I can offer you empathy and understanding. I will not try to diminish the importance of that death. I will not try to hurry you through your grieving. What I will do however, is listen to you and sit with you whilst you go through your grieving. It may take you a long time to feel that you are on an even keel again, if ever you do. Bereavement counselling If you have experienced the death (bereavement) of a loved one - whether a human or animal, you may find the level of support you get from those around you to be fine - or not so fine. In either case, and for whatever reason, sometimes we may prefer to speak to a stranger about how we are feeling and what we are going through. In a counselling session, with myself, or any other qualified and experienced counsellor, which is specifically to focus on a bereavement, you can do any number of things in a session. It is a good idea to check with your chosen counsellor how they work, and how the sessions might be run with them. With me, if you wish to talk, then you can talk. If you wish to sit in silence - for some or all of the time, we can do that. If you wish to use some of the things listed on my 'Just talking' page, such as mood cards, symbols, pen and paper - then we can do that. It's up to you. Contacting me If you would like to book an appointment, or contact me for further information, you can ring or text me on 07952 230199, or email counselling@angelafletcher.co.uk Samaritans - urgent support If you require urgent support, the Samaritans provides a 24 hour - day and night, every day of the year, telephone, email and face to face support service. They can be contacted on: tel: 116 123 - for an immediate response email: jo@samaritans.org website: Samaritans - contact us now Exeter branch: Samaritans of Exeter, Mid & East Devon, 10 Richmond Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4JA, T: 01392 411711 Your GP You may also find it helpful to visit your GP to see what help or advice they can offer. They may also have details of other local agencies that they can suggest you contact for support. Agencies There are many agencies who offer counselling support, for example: For support after the death of a person, Cruse Bereavement Care offers free face to face support sessions. For support after the death of a pet, the Blue Cross offers free telephone and email support. Angela Fletcher Bereavement Counselling