Local Grief Resources
Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988)
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: Pet Support Hotline (508.839.7966) – The Tufts Pet Loss Support Hotline seeks to serve the community-at-large by providing resources for people grieving the loss of a pet.
MSPCA Pet Loss Support Program – "Grief related to losing an animal companion can be isolating, particularly right now when there is so much uncertainty in the world. As we head into a long winter, building social supports is more important than ever. Using peer supports is proven to be helpful in navigating your grief. If interested, we invite you to please join Angell’s Veterinary Social Worker, Julie Gass, for a monthly Pet Loss Bereavement Support Group via Zoom."
Where: Currently, support groups will be held live via Zoom meeting.
Date and Time: Meetings will be held on the3rd Monday of the month from 5pm to 6pm.
Registration: You must pre-register by emailing our Veterinary Social Worker, Julie Gass, LICSW at jgass@mspca.org. You will be provided with a Zoom link and password.
Online Grief Resources
Coping With Death of Pet – Understanding pet loss grief and how to cope with the pain and sadness. (Recover-from-grief.com)
End of Life Care – Coping with the impending loss of a pet. (ASPCA)
Coping With the Death of Your Pet – Tips on how to cope when it’s time to say goodbye to a beloved pet. (The Humane Society of the United States)
Euthanasia of a Beloved Pet – Better understand and deal with euthanasia. (The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement)
Grieving the Loss of a Companion Animal - An article focusing on dealing with the grief associated with the loss of a companion animal.
20 Keys to Heal After the Loss of a Pet - A detailed article on Medium.com covering some easy to follow advice on how to deal with the loss of a pet.
Support
Books
When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing by Alan D Wolfelt PhD
The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups by Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio
When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
Soul Comfort for Cat Lovers: Coping Wisdom for Heart and Soul After the Loss of a Beloved Feline by Liz Eastwood
Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant