| Domesticated approximately 12,000 years ago, dogs have since played a significant role in American life (Serpell, 1986). According to the American Pet Products Association's (APPA) National Per Owners Survey, there are about 77.5 million pet dogs in the United States, with approximately 62% of American households owning at least one dog (APPA, 2010). Researchers who have investigated the human-dog relationship have emphasized its unique aspects, as well as the physical and emotional benefits of dog ownership (Blascovich & Mendez, 2002). Considering the significance and complexity of the human-dog relationship, it is not surprising that pet loss can be as devastating as is human loss (Brown, Richards, & Wilson, 1996). Research has shown that the feelings associated with pet loss are of the same degree as those provoked by human loss. Because of dogs' short life spans in comparison to humans, owners likely experience significantly more incidents of pet loss compared to other losses (Fiala, 2003). Although pet loss is highly prevalent and causes significant grief, it tends to be under-acknowledged and invalidated. Support services for grieving pet owners are scarce and the experience is rarely addressed by mental health providers, veterinarians, or other healthcare professionals (Morley & Fook, 2005). Often, even when services are available for grieving owners, they are avoided by owners due to fears that their experiences will not be understood or justified (Wrobel & Dye, 2003).;In the following sections, I will describe the evolution of the domestic dog, the human-dog relationship, and the establishment of dogs as pets in the United States. I will then illustrate the many roles which pet dogs occupy in their owners' lives including those of persons, playmates, family members, doctors, and therapists. Finally, I will outline the experience of pet loss including the stages of grief, physical and psychological symptoms, its unique features, and negative outcomes. I will conclude with implications for professionals and training programs in the healthcare field, as well as suggestions for future directions in this area of research. |
