Pet bereavement and families: A qualitative view (Project Hurricane D. Petrich)

The purpose of this study was to explore the loss of a companion animal/pet family member within the context of a family. In order to better understand the nature of bereavement upon the loss of a pet family member it was essential to first grasp the nature of attachment to the companion animal. Five families were selected to participate in this qualitative research study which examined the nature of attachment to the family member pet and the loss that was experienced when that pet family member passed away. These families were all unique in that they had all lost their pet which they had considered a family member within one month of their first interview, yet all families were also unique in how this loss affected the dynamics and structure in their respective families. The similarities and distinctiveness of these families, and their bereavement responses were highlighted in this body of work.

Attachment Theory, Marriage and Family Therapy Theories, and also various Bereavement Theories were addressed in this study in order to more fully understand the scope of the loss that was experienced by these families. Specifically, the nature of pet bereavement and attachment were investigated in order to better comprehend the familial loss of a pet family member. This information is valuable to many disciplines such as marriage and family therapists, counselors, veterinarians, scholars, and even laypersons struggling with the loss of a pet that they had considered to have been a family member.