Dr sue dawson is a hcpc registered specialist counselling psychologist currently working with the nhs; within her professional doctorate training sue investigated veterinary surgeons’ experiences of depression and suicidal ideation. Sue has also completed a research doctorate investigating caregiver grief in relation to companion animal euthanasia. Sue has over 15 years experience working therapeutically with grieving pet owners. She has also carried out research into investigating therapeutic riding for children with behavioural difficulties. During her research doctorate sue trained and gained experience in counselling grieving pet owners at the animal medical centre, new york and also the argus institute for families and veterinary medicine at colorado state university. She has over 15 years experience of developing and providing training in pet bereavement support and the psychology of human ­animal relationships, including teaching at myerscough college on the bsc in animal welfare, bsc in veterinary nursing and the animal assisted therapy foundation degree. Sue spent 2 years working as training manager with the blue cross pet bereavement support service (2007-­2009). Before this she worked for the rspca as an education adviser in the uk and internationally, in post war bosnia. She is a qualified teacher with masters degrees in special educational needs and the psychology of education.