Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour & Training

The course is preceded by CIDBT 4111, Introduction to Pet Bereavement Counselling Skills. The introductory course covers the following areas of bereavement counselling:

• Defining the counsellor/helper role
• Ethical considerations in counselling
• Religious and spiritual issues and considerations in counselling
• The guidelines to developing consent forms, keeping records and providing written reports
• Theoretical approaches to counselling
• Self-assessment and role playing
• Attachment Theory
• The three stages of counselling

This course is designed for qualified professionals who intend to support owners and carers of pets who have experienced a pet or animal bereavement within contexts including veterinary, instructional and voluntary or welfare and counselling practice.

Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:

• Understand how life stages may influence the presenting issues within bereavement and loss
• Assist pet owners/carers in achieving a positive resolution when encountering difficulty with decisions relating to animal euthanasia
• Support pet owners/carers in circumstances where accidental or traumatic circumstances lead to a more complex grief and bereavement process
• Assist pet owners/carers in securing a positive resolution in decision making leading to creation, burial, etc. of pets
• Communicate effective responses during helping interactions with pet owners/carers to include suggestions, activities and otherwise to securing resolution and grief
• Demonstrate reflection upon variations within both professional and voluntary roles and identify how this may influence the potential to assist pet owners/carers in their grief and bereavement

Breakdown of your studies:

Phase 1 (Home Study)
Understanding self-disclosure and personal boundaries
Understanding Embedded Counselling
Utilising counselling strategies in case studies
Researching and studying the symbiotic relationship between human and animal

Phase 2 (Home Study)
Understanding the depth and breadth of pet bereavement and loss
Designing counselling goals, tasks and methodologies
Learning effective organisation and network building skills

Phase 3 (Home Study)
Resolving emotion
Working with cultural diversity
Dealing with difficult situations
Managing practical case studies
Reflecting on pet bereavement