Companion animal death and client bereavement: A qualitative investigation of veterinary nurses’ caregiving experiences

Abstract

Veterinary paraprofessionals are routinely confronted with companion animal death and client bereavement throughout their day-to-day work. However, research exploring the nature and psychological impact of these end-of-life encounters among veterinary paraprofessionals is scarce. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an exploratory qualitative investigation involving semi-structured interviews with 26 veterinary nurses. Thematic analysis identified three major themes within the data: (1) Contextual nuances; (2) Relational dynamics; and (3) Cumulative impact. Findings revealed a number of previously unexplored situational and relational complexities influencing veterinary nurses’ appraisals of these responsibilities, and their associated psychological outcomes.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our appreciation to all the participants for sharing their experiences.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.