Offer compassionate, informed support to those experiencing the loss of a beloved pet.

For many people, pets are more than companions; they're cherished members of the family. The grief that follows their loss can be profound. This Pet Bereavement Support Diploma Course provides a sensitive and educational exploration of pet loss, showcasing how it may affect individuals emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Throughout this course, you'll gain insight into the grieving process, understand the varied ways that people respond to loss, and explore strategies for offering supportive, non-clinical care. This course is ideal for those working in animal care, pet services, or support roles, or for anyone who wants to better understand pet bereavement.

Course overview:
Certified by CPD

Exclusive access to our study group

Accredited

Learn from desktop, tablet, and mobile

8 modules

Download our learning app

Listen along with every module

Printed and PDF version of course available

Real-time support from our agents

Earn reward points

In our Western culture death and dying have largely been taken into the realm of professionals, with many of us dying in hospital. Death is rarely a part of our conversations. Many don’t feel comfortable around the bereaved, they don’t know what to say or do for the best, or what to expect when faced with a bereaved person. This can make the experience of being bereaved very lonely, particularly as there are also many misunderstandings around grief, which can sometimes make matters worse.
Véronique is passionate about dispelling these myths and giving people a clear roadmap to demystify what is a normal, healthy response to the death of a loved one – and identify when professional help might be needed. As well as her own personal experiences of grief, she has supported countless others over the years through her professional role as a Human Givens practitioner as well as on a personal level.

This compassionate online course, which is illustrated with case histories and packed full of practical tips, will help you feel more confident when supporting grieving friends, patients, family or neighbours – and leave you better prepared for what to expect in your own times of grief.

What will you learn
The common myths surrounding grief and bereavement – what’s true and what isn’t
How differing cultural, religious and belief-based views impact on how people grieve
What the science and the latest research tells us about the grieving process
The 3 common responses to the death of a loved one
When grieving becomes a problem; complicated, avoidant or delayed grief
Grieving for someone who is still alive
Two different sorts of crying
Pathological grieving – how to tell if professional help is needed
Guilt and grieving over the loss of someone you feel you might have helped, e.g. suicide, drug or alcohol related death
Why our innate emotional needs (part of our ‘human givens’) have a protective role
Essential ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ for those wanting to support an individual who has lost a loved one – and how these can change over time or depending on the context
How the circumstances around a death can affect how individuals grieve
The impact of sudden, unexpected death
What to expect in the early days following the loss of a loved one
The value and use of ritual
The role of our emotions – and why they can come up again out of the blue, sometimes years later
How to help children and teenagers deal with death
Living loss: grieving over e.g. divorce, infertility, caring for a loved one who is terminally ill, estrangement from friends or family members, the loss of job, or status, freedom, hope etc.
The effects of trauma on the process of grief and when to detraumatise the memory
How depression and trauma can impact on grieving
Practical ways to help someone immersed in grief
Case history showing how a human givens therapist helped with extreme grief
Help for those that are grieving
Case studies: personal experiences of being bereaved and what helped
Strategies to avoid being overwhelmed – dipping in and out of grief
The use of targeted specialist groups (e.g. death by suicide, drugs, alcohol, the death of a child, of a life partner, cancer, sudden death, stillbirth, sepsis or Covid) and social media
Finding meaning and purpose after loss
Re-engaging with life
Integrating the changes.

This 8-week live certification program is designed for individuals called to support others through the grief of losing an animal companion.



Led by Rev. Kaleel Sakakeeny, this course is taught live via Zoom in small cohorts that allow for genuine connection, discussion, and growth.



​Scholarships are available. If cost is a barrier, please email Kaleel a letter of interest to apply.