Mourning Companion Animals

Susan Dowd Stone MSW, LCSW, is an adjunct associate professor at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work and an award-winning advocate, speaker, author, and clinician whose lengthy career has focused on the human-animal bond.

“Mourning Companion Animals is an empathetic, essential guide for navigating the difficult terrain of pet loss. Integrating her deep understanding of clinical social work with trauma-informed strategies, Stone delivers a powerful and comforting blueprint for grief management. This book is not just an invaluable resource; it is a heartfelt legacy to the animals we've loved and lost, destined to resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced the unique sorrow of losing a beloved pet.Dr. Katherine Compitus, expert applied anthrozoologist and professor of clinical social work, New York University“Over the years, my grief response to the inevitable passing of my animal companions impacts me just as much as—and admittedly maybe even more—as the grief response to the passing of any other beloved family member or friend. Susan Stone’s wonderful, thorough, and thought-provoking book teaches us how to deal with that grief and helps us understand that our animals never really die if they live on in our hearts and in our memories.”David Frei, longtime host of NBC’s National Dog Show and Westminster Kennel Club"I first met Dickens and his person, Susan Stone, during my early years as a veterinarian at The Oradell Animal Hospital when a friendship emerged based on our united dedication to the human-animal bond and the grief that can follow loss. This insightful book touches on all areas of animal-companion loss. It is a must read not only for mental health professionals, but for those who treat, care for, and support animal companions and those who love them."Dr. John G. DeVries, DVM, diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners

• 1. The Experience of Animal Companion Loss 2. The Impact of Trauma in Animal Companion Loss 3. Considerations of Attachment Theory in Animal Companion Loss 4. Assessment Strategies for Animal Companion Loss 5. Psychodynamic Approaches to Healing Animal Companion Loss 6. Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Healing Animal Companion Loss 7. Trauma Approaches to Healing Animal Companion Loss 8. Anticipatory Mourning in Animal Companion Loss 9. Legacy Creation Following Animal Companion Loss