Navigating Grief With the Comfort of a Dog
Grief, despite being a universal experience, is also one of the most difficult to navigate.
Canine companionship may be able to help. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an incredibly powerful tool for supporting those processing grief. If you do not feel you are making progress in dealing with your grief, then schedule a call with our team to see if AAT is a good choice for you.
In this blog, we provide details on AAT so you understand the benefits of processing grief with the comfort of a dog, bunny, or cat. The most important part of this process is that you find a therapist you are comfortable with who is also trained to provide therapy with an animal involved.
Stages of Grief: The Emotional Toll
Those grieving have often heard about the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) but may not understand how exactly they will impact the healing process. The most important thing to know is that grief and healing are not linear processes, and that the five stages are a helpful guide but may not occur in order. Additionally, you may revisit stages even once you pass through them.
At each stage, you may experience significant emotional turmoil or move peacefully through. Not everyone will experience every stage; some may stay in one stage for the bulk of their grief before moving on to acceptance.
No matter where you are in your grief journey, that is where you are supposed to be and we are here to support you.
Establishing Boundaries
Importantly, while a dog might provide you with comfort in the wake of a loss, it is not a cure-all. It is important for those grieving to understand the boundaries of what comfort animals can assist with and remember, your pet or our animals are not a therapist, especially in a crisis.
Animals can offer a great deal of emotional support and create meaning in the wake of loss, but they alone cannot heal a mental health crisis.
Animals Provide Solace
Chances are, you’ve never felt judged or misunderstood by a dog. The power of dogs lies in their unconditional, nonjudgmental support and strong intuition.
These loyal animals provide the grief-stricken with unwavering companionship and a unique intuitiveness. Dogs always seem to understand when someone needs comfort or play, and their presence can offer some relief from the depression, anxiety, and anger that often follow major life changes.
Dogs also encourage humans to get up and move, even if briefly, whether at home or during animal-assisted therapy sessions. This is particularly helpful for owners of emotional support animals who can walk and play with their dog regularly throughout the day. Movement is critical to grief recovery, as it helps with emotional regulation and provides a distraction.
Additionally, dogs may make it easier for a grief-stricken person to open up and express emotions in the aftermath of loss. Speaking to others can be difficult, but animal companions are great listeners because they won’t dismiss those sharing their memories, thoughts, and fears aloud.
Find Animal Support Through Unleashed Counseling
Unleashed Counseling offers a variety of options for those seeking healing. From animal-assisted therapy to emotional support animal assessments, our skilled therapists can help you find relief from grief. Animals are uniquely equipped to aid in the healing journey, and they can do this job best with help from a highly trained psychotherapist.
Navigating grief with the comfort of a dog may be easier than going about it alone. Let our experienced team support your grief journey, whatever stage you are in. Schedule an intake appointment online to get started today.