ABSTRACT
Veterinary professionals have historically been a foundational source of support for human–animal relationships and animal loss, even when their professional training lacked core instruction in how to understand the facets of these relationships and the impact of their loss. Meanwhile, mental health professionals may avail themselves of instruction and guidance on how to work with the myriad of issues that arise when a client’s loved animal dies, but they may not know how to reach out to the larger population of “animal people” who are struggling with loss. Few foundational training programs truly prepare mental health professionals for interprofessional work, though opportunities for advanced practice in allied healthcare settings are growing. While mental health providers are generally encouraged to adhere to best practices in delivering care, there are few standards specific to the provision of grief support for animal loss issues.
