title: The death of an animal should be acknowledged.
abstract: How should nurses help clients deal with grief following the loss of an animal? Grief following the death of a pet can be significant, but such reactions can be viewed as abnormal by family, friends and professionals. Mental health training team leader Bronwen Williams and veterinary surgeon Rebecca Green, writing in Mental Health Practice, say that a lack of understanding can compound grief. Simply acknowledging the significance of the loss is key.