Understanding Client Bereavement at the End of Animal Life

Animal end of life in a veterinary context is triangulated between the human client, the animal, and the veterinary practitioner. Taking four case studies, this chapter shows how different scenarios shape clients’ experiences of pet bereavement. We identify the implications of inequalities, highlight the patterns and practices shaping pet loss, and indicate how a ‘best practice’ model of animal end-of-life should take account of the impact the veterinary encounter has on client bereavement experiences. Understanding the complexity of pet bereavement, contextual factors that complicate grief, and the influence of the veterinary encounter on grief responses is imperative for working towards comprehensive models of good professional practice at animal end-of-life.