Grief, Loss, and Coping: How to Care for Yourself and Others When A Pet Dies Presented by Dr. Vanessa Rohlf

Presented by Dr. Vanessa Rohlf

CEUs: PPAB 1, CCPDT 1

Companion animals occupy an important role in our lives. They are our friends, our confidants and cherished members of the family. They provide unconditional love and support. They never judge and are always happy to see us when we come home. It's no surprise then that the death of a companion animal can be just as profound and devastating as the loss of a human significant other.

Animal care professionals and trainers are in the privileged position of working with these special animals and, while this can be an extremely rewarding role, it can also mean that professionals are also exposed to grief and loss when these animals die.

This seminar is designed to give trainers and animal care professionals information on current theories and findings relevant to animal bereavement. Attendees will also be offered practical tools for self-care and strategies to support clients, friends and family members who may be experiencing companion animal bereavement.

In this webinar attendees will:

1. Appreciate the significance of animal bereavement

2. Be able to describe common grief reactions

3. Recognize types of grief including disenfranchised, anticipatory and complicated grief

4. Learn strategies for self-care and ways of coping

5. Learn how to support others through grief

Your Presenter

Dr. Vanessa Rohlf

Dr. Vanessa Rohlf is a compassion fatigue consultant and educator for the animal industries. Vanessa provides evidence-based workshops, seminars, and consultations in mindfulness, stress management, bereavement and compassion fatigue.

She is a member of the Anthrozoology Research Group, has her Ph.D. with a specialisation in psychology and has worked in the animal industry for over 13 years where her roles varied from veterinary nurse to animal welfare researcher. Vanessa is an experienced lecturer and public speaker. She has lectured and tutored psychology and human behaviour for over 6 years and presents at international and national conferences.