Losing a pet is an incredibly challenging experience, and the journey through grief can feel isolating and overwhelming. To help pet parents navigate this emotional process, Dr. Ruth Roberts hosted a live Q&A titled Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Coping with Pet Loss & Honoring Their Memory. This event featured a panel of experts, including pet grief counselors, animal communicators, and holistic pet health coaches, who shared their experiences and offered guidance on how to process the loss of a beloved pet.
Introducing the Experts
Dr. Ruth Roberts, a holistic pet health coach, introduced the speakers who would later feature in the Healing Together: A Journey Through Pet Loss symposium. This online workshop, scheduled for November 2nd, aims to provide a safe and supportive space for those grieving the loss of a pet. The experts on the panel included:
- Leigh Anne Gerk – A certified pet loss and grief counselor with over 15 years of experience. Leigh Anne is also the author of Dear Brave Friend, a children’s book addressing pet loss.
- Anya Gore – An animal communicator and healer, founder of Connected Souls, and author of Life and Soul Dog, which details her journey with her own dog and experiences in animal communication.
- Sunny Gandara – A holistic pet health coach specializing in large-breed dogs and cancer care. She co-founded Compassionate Paws, an online pet grief support community.
- Sandy Reynolds – A certified holistic pet health coach and owner of Enlightened Mutt, Sandy specializes in senior pet care, food sensitivities, and end-of-life support for pets.
These experts provided valuable insight into coping with the loss of a pet, from understanding grief to healing techniques.
The Journey Through Grief
One of the key themes of the discussion was acknowledging and normalizing pet loss. Leigh Anne explained that many people don’t feel validated in their grief, especially if others around them don’t understand the depth of the bond between a person and their pet. She encouraged those who are grieving to find safe spaces to share their pet’s story and emphasized the importance of recognizing that grief over the loss of a pet is just as valid as grief over the loss of a human loved one.
A common theme in pet loss, as mentioned by several panelists, is guilt. Many pet parents struggle with feelings of guilt, wondering if they made the right decisions for their pet's care. Leigh Anne encouraged reframing this perspective by reflecting on the entirety of the pet's life, not just the final moments, and remembering the joyful times spent together.
Coping Strategies and Healing Techniques
The speakers shared a variety of coping strategies and healing techniques to help those grieving a pet. Leigh Anne suggested writing an obituary for a pet, which allows people to reflect on the pet's entire life rather than just focusing on the loss. She also recommended creating memory boxes or writing letters to the pet, helping to process the grief in a personal and meaningful way.
Anya Gore, an animal communicator, spoke about the role of animal communication in grief healing. Through intuitive senses, she connects with pets who have passed on, providing comfort and reassurance to their grieving human companions. She highlighted that animals often convey messages of love and peace, helping their humans release feelings of guilt.
Supporting Pets During End-of-Life Care
For pet parents navigating the difficult journey of a terminal diagnosis, Sunny Gandara and Sandy Reynolds offered practical advice. Sunny emphasized the importance of focusing on the quality of life, noting that nutrition and lifestyle changes can significantly improve a pet's well-being, even in their final stages. She encouraged pet parents to treat their pets with love and respect, rather than focusing on the illness, which helps reduce stress for both the pet and the owner.
Sandy discussed the unique challenges of caring for senior pets and how maintaining routines, even on a smaller scale, can bring comfort to aging pets. She also emphasized the importance of being present with a pet during their final moments and listening to the pet’s cues regarding pain or discomfort.
The Role of Animal Communication and Euthanasia
A difficult but important topic that arose was the decision around euthanasia. Dr. Ruth and the panelists discussed the importance of knowing when it’s time to let go and how to make that decision. Anya explained that through animal communication, she has been able to help pet parents better understand their pet’s needs and wishes, especially regarding end-of-life care. She emphasized that animals do not hold grudges and are often at peace when they pass, which can help alleviate the burden of guilt for pet parents.
Leigh Anne suggested keeping a journal to track a pet's good and bad days, which can help pet parents make more informed decisions about when their pet’s quality of life has diminished. She also noted that having a supportive community or an outside perspective can help during this challenging time.
Conclusion
The Beyond the Rainbow Bridge Q&A provided an emotional yet hopeful discussion on pet loss, reminding pet parents that they are not alone in their grief. Whether it's through writing an obituary, communicating with a pet that has passed, or finding comfort in shared stories, the speakers emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for healing.
For those struggling with pet loss, the upcoming symposium on November 2nd will offer further insights and practical tools to help process grief, celebrate the lives of beloved pets, and find peace in the journey of healing.
If you are navigating the loss of a pet, consider joining this supportive community to honor their memory and begin your healing process
