Pet Bereavement Counselling · Nottingham
Grief doesn’t always wait for the loss.
I’m Dawn, a qualified Pet Bereavement Counsellor in Shrewsbury. Guardians in Nottingham and across the East Midlands can work with me by Zoom or telephone, including in the difficult time before a loss, when an animal is old or ill and you’re worried about what lies ahead.
Anticipatory grief
Grieving an animal who is still here.
It has a name, anticipatory grief, though most people just describe it as feeling as if they’re already losing someone who is lying on the sofa in front of them. It can bring guilt (“I should be making the most of this time, not crying”), dread of the decision, and a loneliness that comes from not being able to talk about it, because to everyone else the animal is still fine.
Counselling in this period isn’t about making the decision for you, and I will never tell you when it’s time. That conversation belongs with your vet. What I can do is give you somewhere to put the weight of it, so that you’re not carrying it alone into the consulting room.
Afterwards
The decision, and the guilt that follows it.
Many guardians who have had to choose euthanasia for an animal replay it: too soon, too late, the look in their eyes, the drive home. If you have thoughts like these, you’re not unusual, and you’re not a bad guardian. You’re welcome to talk about these feelings at your own pace, without judgement.
How it works
A call, a session, and then whatever you need.
By telephone. You tell me where you are with things; I tell you how I work. No commitment either way.
One hour, Zoom or telephone, from home. We go at your pace.
As often or as rarely as helps. Some people want a few weeks of regular sessions; some come back months later.
Fees
Known before you ring.
I’d rather you knew the fees before we speak, so you can take your time deciding.
Questions
What guardians in the East Midlands ask.
Can I start counselling before my animal has died?
Yes. Supporting people in the lead-up to a loss is a real part of my work, and often the most helpful time to begin.
Will you tell me whether it’s time?
No. That decision is between you and your vet, and I’d be doing you a disservice to weigh in. I’ll help you carry it, not make it.
My partner doesn’t understand why I’m this upset. Can we come together?
Sessions are one-to-one, but we can talk about how to bring the people around you into your grief, which is often part of the work.
Is it by Zoom or telephone or the phone?
Whichever you prefer, and you can switch. Some people find the telephone easier for the first session.
What if I feel I can’t go on?
Then please tell someone today. I offer bereavement counselling, not crisis support. Contact your GP, call NHS 111, or ring the Samaritans free on 116 123.
About Dawn
Who I am.
I’m a qualified Pet Bereavement Counsellor and an Animal Empath, working with animals and their guardians since 2006. I live in Shrewsbury with Millie, my Jack Russell. Mylo, my other Jack Russell, is in spirit now and still very much part of my work.
Separately
Some guardians want to hear from their animal before, or after, the end.
That’s Animal Communication, a different session for a different need. Counselling never pushes you towards it.
Whenever you need it
You don’t have to wait until afterwards.
If you’re in the hard weeks before, or the hard months after, the first call is free and it’s just a conversation.
