Abstract
This book is the only one of its kind to address the emotional and practical aspects of the emotional toll death places on clients, the veterinary team, practitioners and paraprofessional staff alike and our families. With compassion, Dr Stewart guides us through sticky and commonly unasked aspects of the myriad of kinds of relationships people have with their pets and the different needs and bonds they share. This is a book based solidly in addressing the human–companion animal bond stretched to its ultimate breaking point: death. When is death appropriately chosen? How and when can we support these decisions? Dr Stewart leaves us plenty of room for different philosophies in practice. How do we help our clients, our staff and ourselves not only survive, but potentially blossom through this period of pain and loss? This book shines a beacon of light into the potentially erosive and stressful areas of death and dying. Unspoken and unaddressed, these take their toll on us. Addressed carefully, Dr Stewart gives us tools with which this can be a time of caring, growth and strength.
This book could be used as an excellent guide for staff meetings and practice management in the realm of stress in veterinary practice (what the causes are, how to recognise and deal with them). It includes practical tips for reception staff such as creating a ‘virtual waiting room’ for incoming calls and un-clogging phone call-back stress by instituting call-back times into the schedule. What about having a notice posted in a staff area to let staff who have been away know when a pet has died or been euthanised? Another idea is to send condolence cards to people whose pets have gone missing; a compassionate and simple practice builder. Having a ‘remembrance’ corner for photos of departed pets. Having a stuffed dog or cat toy for children to hold when their cat or dog is sick. Helping parents deal with their concerns about what an impending loss will mean for their young child. Contacting clients promptly after their pet recovers from anaesthesia alleviates unspoken fears of dying and builds client confidence.
Without being excessively wordy, this book leaves no stones unturned. It belongs in every practice library and should be read by every veterinary student.