Guide from Colorado State University Helps Pet Owners Consider Hard Questions, Say Goodbye to Animal Companion

Learning that a companion animal is sick is difficult, and many pet owners find themselves considering hard questions such as how to know if their pet is in pain or suffering or when it’s time to say goodbye to their companion. Colorado State University’s Argus Institute is offering a printed guide for pet owners to help them through difficult times.

"What Now? Support for You and Your Companion Animal" is a comprehensive guide written by the Argus Institute, the leading teaching, research and service organization devoted to counseling pet owners through loss and improving veterinarian-to-client communication.

The guide helps pet owners when:

– Their animal is sick,

– They are facing an end-of-life decision, and

– They’re coping with the loss of a companion animal.

Each section includes information about the emotional process pet owners experience; techniques for decision-making; approaches for talking to family members, especially children; and self-care tips for dealing with grief.

"It can be incredibly difficult to learn that a companion is ill and to be faced with what may feel like impossible choices. This process often involves a roller coaster of emotions, including sadness, fear, anger, denial and guilt," said Dr. Jane Shaw director of the Argus Institute. "We hope ‘What Now?’ offers a valuable resource to support people through these difficult decisions."

"What Now?" is designed to help anyone faced with the illness or loss of a small or large animal.  The guide is available for $3 per copy plus shipping and discounts are available for bulk orders. To order "What Now?," contact the Argus Institute at (970) 297-4143 or visit the Web site at www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu.

The Argus Institute is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.      

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