The human–animal bond (HAB) is a powerful emotional attachment which often elevates pets to the status of a family member. Because companion animals typically live much shorter lives than humans, grief and loss is a problem that is frequently encountered. Disenfranchised grief over the loss of a companion animal is an area that is often overlooked by mental health professionals. Sife has developed a model for the stages of grief and loss specific to companion animals. Questions about pets should be a part of every initial assessment done on a client. Effective interventions include understanding the significance of the HAB and grief and loss; bibliotherapy; psychoeducation; the importance of rituals; and the use of pet loss support groups.

人与动物之间的纽带 (HAB) 是一种强大的情感依恋，通常会将宠物提升为家庭成员的地位。由于伴侣动物的寿命通常比人类短得多，悲伤和失落是一个经常遇到的问题。因失去伴侣动物而被剥夺权利的悲痛是心理健康专家经常忽视的一个领域。Sife 开发了一种针对伴侣动物特有的悲伤和失去阶段的模型。关于宠物的问题应该成为对客户进行的每一次初步评估的一部分。有效的干预措施包括了解 HAB 的重要性以及悲伤和损失；书目疗法；心理教育；仪式的重要性；以及使用宠物丢失支持小组。