Counseling
Grief and Bereavement Counseling
Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists prides itself on its exemplary care and attention to the patient. We extend that same care and attention to the pet owner at the time of their greatest need.
Anyone who has experienced the severe illness of their companion animal knows that this is a difficult and emotional process. Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists offers bereavement counseling services to account for this critically important arena.
With this type of counseling, we hope to help pet owners come to terms with their loss and integrate those lessons into their lives. Families who are struggling with decisions about palliative and end-of-life care are also welcome to our sessions.
Who Hosts the Sessions?
Irene Javors, M.Ed. hosts the bereavement and companion animal loss counseling in our hospital every Tuesday at 7:30pm. Ms. Javors is a licensed mental health counselor and a Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association. She is a certified bereavement facilitator and is certified in critical incident stress management. Ms. Javors, who has been in private practice in New York City for more than 25 years, was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the New York Counseling Association for volunteering professional services to assist the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. She writes an ongoing column for Annals, the official journal of the American Psychotherapy Association.
Our Approach to Loss & Bereavement
Those who have experienced loss are in mourning and should be encouraged to accept and integrate their grief into the larger fabric of their lives. Loss is a great teacher of compassion for oneself and others. Each companion animal teaches wonderful lessons about life: patience, acceptance, courage, nobility of spirit, and, above all, unconditional love. Ms. Javors encourages those who are dealing with such a loss to embrace the lessons their animal friends have gifted them during their time together.
