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Pet Bereavement Online Learning
NEW in 2023!
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Pet Bereavement Online Learning

An online program to perfect your skills in pet loss support

Saving lives is the mission of all veterinary professionals and one of the main reasons many seek to advance their skills and knowledge. Because of this, coping with pet loss and supporting grieving owners can take a heavy toll on veterinary teams. Our new online learning Postgraduate Program in Pet Bereavement will help vets, vet nurses and the supporting clinical team gain the tools to support clients and colleagues through this experience, from advising about the right time to consider euthanasia, to offering compassionate support during this emotional time.  

How does it work?  

This high-quality online learning modular program will guide you through the fundamental principles of pet bereavement and the physical, emotional, and psychological effects it has on practice staff and their clients. This program consists of eight interactive modules, spread over 15 months, each containing a total of 9 lessons, 2 reflective studies, course notes and weekly summary videos. All materials are hosted in our world-leading Learning Management Platform and authored by renowned professionals.

Content will cover important topics around the bereavement process, such as how to deal with experiencing euthanasia or patient death for the first time, providing help to the grieving client, best practices for euthanasia and compassion fatigue, among others.

Strengthen your role within the veterinary team  

Pets are seen as a family member by most owners and dealing with their loss is difficult and often traumatic. Vet professionals can play a crucial role in supporting them and offering the best counselling in a humane manner. Seize this opportunity to stand out by becoming skilled in pet bereavement and strengthen your position within the veterinary team.

This online program offers 50 hours of CPD accredited by ISVPS and an attendance certificate will be awarded upon course completion. This Program is not a recognised subject for the ISVPS NCert qualification.

Please note this program is suitable for vets, vet nurses and the supporting clinical teams involved in pet bereavement support.

Join world leading veterinary CPD specialists on this very first edition for a program that will help you rediscover your passion and clinical enthusiasm. 

Course Highlights

  • 8 varied modules - Delivered over 15 months covering key topics suitable for vets, vet nurses and supporting clinical team.
  • Support and guidance from a Module Tutor - A tutor who specialises in the module subject will provide online support during each module and will be available to answer all your questions.
  • Leading online learning experience - Presentations, written notes, interactive quizzes, multiple choice question writing and exercises which test your knowledge as you work.
  • Discussion forum - A discussion forum for conversation, debate and sharing cases with your peers and Module Tutors.
  • Recognised Course Director - Lisa Howe RVN, A1, Cert. Pet Bereavement (BC) oversees the programme ensuring the latest content .
  • Four sessions per month - Each module consists of four sessions spread over one month. Sessions comprise separate lessons and case-based studies to work through at your own pace.
  • 100% online - Giving you access 24/7 wherever you are using your laptop, tablet or even your mobile
  • Regular assessments - Pre-module and post-module assessments encourage you to reflect on your learning and evaluate your progress
  • Dedicated Programme Coordinator - A dedicated Programme Coordinator who will support you every step of the way.
  • Interactive and engaging modules - Which allow you to absorb the learning materials in an online environment.
  • Know-how - Join the global veterinary online learning CPD specialists and benefit from our know-how and high-quality resources.
Pet Bereavement Online Learning
  • Dates: NEW in 2023
  • Format: Online Learning
  • Price: AU $TBC
  • 50 CPD Hours
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Pet Bereavement Online Learning Improve International Australia
Pet Bereavement Online Learning Improve International Australia

Pet Bereavement Online Learning Modules

Module 1- Introduction to pet bereavement

At the end of this module delegates should be able to:

  • Recognise and explain why there is a need for a change in making grief associated with pet bereavement acceptable
  • Identify and evaluate the stages/ models of grief that clients may experience
  • Identify how each stage of grief can affect how quickly a client will find resolution and how acceptance or a lack of it, affects ultimate resolution
  • Recognise different types of grief; normal grief, anticipatory, complicated grief
  • Identify what hindsight bias is and how it can prevent someone finding resolution
  • Identify what role guilt plays in the grief cycle
  • Outline the importance of identifying the role animals play in clients’ lives
  • Evaluate how the strength of bonds between humans and animals can influence the strength of grief an owner may feel (theories of attachment Bowlby)
  • Have an overview of the physical and psychological responses to grief and mourning
  • Identify different types of Human and Animal relationships (HAB) and how they can cause intense grief responses
  • Evaluate how you can help when an animal is grieving
  • Evaluate why people with underlying mental health issues are far more likely to experience complicated grief
  • Explain why we have a duty of care to both the animal and the client, including safeguarding issues
  • Assess when and how to take the next steps in becoming a pet bereavement counsellor

Module 2- How staff personal experiences with pet loss can influence how the loss of a patient is handled

At the end of the module delegate should be able to:

  • Prepare themselves pre-euthanasia and be able to reflect and move forwards after a euthanasia
  • Prepare and assist with euthanasia for a patient and be able to effectively allow, cope and process any personal feelings that come about as a consequence of the work using relevant support where needed
  • Reflect on why dysthanasia occurs and what steps can be taken to avoid this situation
  • Support and be emotionally responsive and resilient to a client based on that client’s own merit and circumstances. Support the client through their loss without appropriate self-disclosure where this is deemed appropriate to comfort and connect with the client
  • Identify and recognise potential emotional triggers that may affect the way you work and when you are unable to handle a particular client as it mirrors too closely your own current or unresolved experience
  • Identify a range of external sources of support and be able to direct clients to these where necessary
  • Recognise when you need additional support, from colleagues, via clinical supervision, which may include external sources in some cases

Module 3 - Behavioural euthanasia; why mental suffering is just as valid a reason for euthanasia as physical suffering

At the end of this module delegate should be able to:

  • Identify and accept the various reasons for a behavioural euthanasia
  • Recognise the feelings and emotions a client may be experiencing and provide support
  • Recognise that mental suffering affects a patient’s quality of life
  • Identify where certain judgements may come from and why we may feel the way that we do
  • Support a client pre and post behavioural euthanasia fully and appropriately
  • Identify and be able to direct clients to external sources of support where necessary

Module 4 - Compassion fatigue

At the end of the module delegates should be able to:

  • Describe what compassion fatigue is and how it can affect themselves and others
  • Identify the phases of compassion fatigue and outline each phase
  • Evaluate and assess themselves and their colleague’s wellbeing
  • Cite positive coping strategies for dealing with compassion fatigue
  • Explain and identify the importance of promoting good mental health and wellbeing practices including proactive/longer-term coping strategies as opposed to quick fixes and a daily commitment as opposed to reactive to events after things build-up
  • Demonstrate where to find help for themselves or a colleague if they are struggling and appreciate the different levels of help available from bibliotherapy and therapeutic life-style choices to more formal approaches such as psychological therapy

Module 5 - Dealing with difficult and unusual euthanasias to include Covid 19

At the end of this module delegates should be able to:

  • Recognise and explain why there is a need for a change in making grief associated with pet bereavement acceptable
  • Identify and evaluate the stages/ models of grief that clients may experience
  • Identify how each stage of grief can affect how quickly a client will find resolution and how acceptance or a lack of it, affects ultimate resolution
  • Recognise different types of grief; normal grief, anticipatory, complicated grief
  • Identify what hindsight bias is and how it can prevent someone finding resolution
  • Identify what role guilt plays in the grief cycle
  • Outline the importance of identifying the role animals play in clients’ lives
  • Evaluate how the strength of bonds between humans and animals can influence the strength of grief an owner may feel (theories of attachment Bowlby)
  • Have an overview of the physical and psychological responses to grief and mourning
  • Identify different types of Human and Animal relationships (HAB) and how they can cause intense grief responses
  • Evaluate how you can help when an animal is grieving
  • Evaluate why people with underlying mental health issues are far more likely to experience complicated grief
  • Explain why we have a duty of care to both the animal and the client, including safeguarding issues
  • Assess when and how to take the next steps in becoming a pet bereavement counsellor

Module 6 - The grieving client and how best to provide help

At the end of the module delegate should be able to:

  • Prepare themselves pre-euthanasia and be able to reflect and move forwards after a euthanasia
  • Prepare and assist with euthanasia for a patient and be able to effectively allow, cope and process any personal feelings that come about as a consequence of the work using relevant support where needed
  • Reflect on why dysthanasia occurs and what steps can be taken to avoid this situation
  • Support and be emotionally responsive and resilient to a client based on that client’s own merit and circumstances. Support the client through their loss without appropriate self-disclosure where this is deemed appropriate to comfort and connect with the client
  • Identify and recognise potential emotional triggers that may affect the way you work and when you are unable to handle a particular client as it mirrors too closely your own current or unresolved experience
  • Identify a range of external sources of support and be able to direct clients to these where necessary
  • Recognise when you need additional support, from colleagues, via clinical supervision, which may include external sources in some cases

Module 7 - Euthanasia best practice

At the end of this module delegate should be able to:

  • Identify and accept the various reasons for a behavioural euthanasia
  • Recognise the feelings and emotions a client may be experiencing and provide support
  • Recognise that mental suffering affects a patient’s quality of life
  • Identify where certain judgements may come from and why we may feel the way that we do
  • Support a client pre and post behavioural euthanasia fully and appropriately
  • Identify and be able to direct clients to external sources of support where necessary

Module 8 - Best practice when offering pet cremation services

At the end of this module delegates should be able to:

  • Recognise the key components needed to comply with consumer protection regulations
  • Describe what the different cremation processes entail
  • Be able to produce a best practice working document for the clinic in arranging pet cremations
  • Describe the information required in order to enable clients to make an informed decision
  • Have an overview of best practices at a pet crematorium including the required approvals
  • Be able to summarise the responsibilities of veterinary practices to comply with their Duty of Care
  • Be able to produce a client-facing infographic explaining their choices for after-death care
  • Recognise how other cultural beliefs must be acknowledged and identify how to adapt end of life care accordingly

*Please note: Module order may be subject to change

Course Tutors

Carrie Kearns – VCA, ACC Dip PBC, Cert Pet Bereavement

VCA, ACC Dip PBC, Cert Pet Bereavement BC MACCPH ADV Dip BCT, MCMA, NLP Practitioner and Master NLP Practitioner ACC Dip PBC, VCA, Cert Pet Bereavement BC, Adv Dip BCT, MACCPH, Member of the CMA, NLP Practitioner, Master …

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Carrie Kearns – VCA, ACC Dip PBC, Cert Pet Bereavement Collapse

Kevin Spurgeon – Dignity Pet Crematorium

Kevin is the owner of multi award winning Dignity Pet Crematorium, a specialist individual service located in Hampshire. He is also a Director of the Association of Private Pet Cemeteries & Crematoria (APPCC), that s …

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Kevin Spurgeon – Dignity Pet Crematorium Collapse
Pet Bereavement Online Learning Improve International Australia

Lisa Jayne Howe – RVN, A1, Cert. Pet Bereavement (BC)

My name is Lisa Howe and I am a RCVS registered veterinary nurse and qualified pet bereavement counsellor in the UK. From a very early age I formed and embraced a strong emotional connection with animals. I would regular …

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Lisa Jayne Howe – RVN, A1, Cert. Pet Bereavement (BC) Collapse

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All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST and ISVPS registration & exmamination fees. 

*Please note: By selecting this option for payment you are connecting with VetEdPay, an external finance provider. VetEdPay services are only available to Australian and New Zealand residents.

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