UTCVM Offers Support for Grieving Animal Owners

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An older blonde Labrador Retriever looking across the lake at dusk during the late fall.

Coping with the death of a pet can be a stressful experience. Veterinary Social Work Service at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, offers the virtual Pet Loss Support Group to help those experiencing the grief process no matter the species of pet or how much time has passed since the loss.

The group meetings offer a supportive environment where people can share their varied experiences of grief and loss of a companion animal, a place to remember and honor the life of the companion animal, and learn additional ways of coping with the loss of an animal.

The facilitator(s) helps to answer questions, guide the discussion, and provide resources when needed. The facilitator may be a licensed therapist, a therapist in training, or a peer support leader. This is not a therapy group or a substitute for psychiatric care, psychotherapy, or medical treatment.

The virtual group meetings are free and are designed for anyone whose pet has died or is terminally ill.  The meetings will be held monthly February through June from 6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The dates are February 13, March 11, April 17, May 14, and June 10. Register at https://tiny.utk.edu/PetLossSupportGroup.  

For more information about the online meetings, contact the Veterinary Social Work Service at 865-755-8839 or by email at vetsocialwork@utk.edu.

Logo that says Veterinary Social Work in black letters with outline of hands holding an orange heart