Pet Loss Counseling for Kids: Emotional Support Tips

"Children's grief like adults is going to vary somewhat, depending on their personality. And also depending on the particular relationship that they had with the pet. It is important to keep in mind that as adults we don't always understand specifically what that child's relationship may have been like with the pet. It may be more of a playmate type of relationship, best friend type of relationship. So there could be a lot of feelings that come up for them that we may not be necessarily feeling ourselves. Or their feeling it in a different way. One thing that's very helpful is to try to keep their routine as consistent as possible. Which means meals at the same time, going to bed at the same time, those kind of things. "Good night, Autumn." "I miss Brutes." "You miss Brutes. Yeah. Well it's okay to be sad. I miss Brutes too, sometimes." And physical affection is also very important and some times just giving them a hug. You don't even really have to say anything, but just letting them know that you're there. And that their feelings are valid."