Grief Support
Grief Counseling
The loss of your companion animal, more often than not, is a devastating experience. Grief counseling is important if you are so overwhelmed that you find it difficult to cope on a day to day basis. It is also useful if you're wanting to share with others but are unable to find the support you need.
Family and friends might take the time to listen, but occasionally they may not be able to understand the significance your pet had in your life or the extent of your grief.
If you need to talk to someone who will understand your feelings of loss and grief, the following grief support hotlines are available.
Grief Support Hotlines
1-877-GRIEF-10 (1-877-474-3310)
American Society fo the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - 24 Hours. This is a direct line to ASPCA's psychologist and grief counselor, Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, PhD.
(530) 752-3602, or toll free (800)565-1526
Staffed by University of California-Davis veterinary students; weekdays, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Pacific Time (PT).
(517) 432-2696
Staffed by Michigan State University veterinary students; Tuesday to Thursday, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, ET.
(630) 325-1600
Staffed by Chicago VMA veterinarians and staffs. Leave voice-mail message; calls will be returned 7 pm to 9 pm, CT (Long-distance calls will be returned collect)
(540) 231-8038
Staffed by Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Tuesday, Thursday, 6pm to 9 pm, ET
(614) 292-1823
Staffed by The Ohio State University veterinary students; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, ET; voice-mail messages will be returned, collect, during operating hours
(508) 839-7966
Staffed by Tufts University veterinary students; Monday through Friday, 6 pm to 9 pm, ET; voice-mail messages will be returned daily, collect outside Massachusetts.
(888) ISU-PLSH (888-478-7574)
Pet Loss Support Hotline hosted by the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Operational seven days a week, 6pm to 9pm (CST) from Sept-April; Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 6:00-9:00 pm (CST) from May-August.
(607) 253-3932
Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline staffed by Cornell University Veterinary Students Tuesday-Thursday 6-9pmET, messages will be returned.
(217) 244-2273 or toll-free (877) 394-2273(CARE)
Staffed by University of Illinois veterinary students. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7-9 pm Central Time.
(970) 491-4143
Argus Institute: Grief Resources, Colorado State University.
(509) 335-5704
Pet Loss Hotline, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Staffed during the semester on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6:30 - 9:00 PM, and Saturday 1:00-3:00 PM Pacific Time.
You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there
long before any of us. - Robert Louis Stevenson
Recent Pet Memories and Memorials
For a doberman-shepard he was a real wimp. He loved to be with people and besides playing ball, his favorite things to do were running up and down the street during stor...