Pet Loss & Grief Support
Grief Counselling
It can be just as painful to grieve the deaths of our companion animals. Many see their pets as friends or family, and it is important that you take the time to grieve and experience your emotions.
Our team can help you after the loss of a companion animal.
How Our Pet Loss Support Group Can Help
We can support you in your grief over the loss of your pet. Our grief counseling services can help you process your loss and will provide you with tools for healthy mourning. We will provide support and guidance in the following areas:
Self-Care
We can provide aid for taking care of yourself during a difficult time.
Although it can be difficult to face, it's important to give yourself time to mourn. You may want to suppress the grief and keep up appearances, but your to-do list can wait and your friends and family will understand if you need some time to heal.
Be kind and gentle to yourself, and remember that sadness is not a weakness, but a part of life. Suppressing your feelings will only increase stress, anxiety, and anger in the long run.
Memorialization
We can help you find ways to honor and memorialize your pet
Finding a way to honor your departed pet is an important part of the healing process. Memorializing your pet can help bring you closure, and provide a sweet reminder of all the good times.
Did your pet have a beloved toy? A personalized collar or a favorite spot to curl up? Reflect on these details and take the time to create a little memorial just for them.
Communicating with Children
We will help you talk to your kids about grief and loss.
While it may seem kindest to lie to your children about your pet's death, it is important to think about it as an opportunity for a lesson about mortality and the grieving process for them.
Pet loss may show your children what your family does when something sad happens as well as that grief and loss are a regular part of life. Your children may learn that they can grieve, but it is also okay to move on and feel happy again.
Requesting Support
We will help you talk to friends and family about your loss.
You may encounter people who are insensitive to your loss because they don't understand it. They may diminish how you feel (intentionally or not) and suggest you should "just get a new pet."
We will help you navigate conversations about your loss with the people in your life, and give you tools to politely but firmly insist on your right to process your loss in your own way.