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Posted On Sep 24, 2024

Pet Loss Support Service Resources

Pet Loss & Grief Support
Pet Loss Support Service Resources

Book Recommendations for Adults

- Kessler, David (2020). Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. Scribner.

- Carmack, Betty J. (2003). Grieving the Death of a Pet. Augsburg Fortress.

- Greene, L. & Landis, J. (2002). Saying goodbye to the pet you love: A complete resource to help you heal. New Harbinger Publications. 

- Kowalski, G. (2012). Goodbye friend: Healing wisdom for anyone who has ever lost a pet. New World Library. 

- Wallace, S. (2014). The loss of a pet: A guide to coping with the grieving process when a pet dies. Howell Book House. 

- Wolfelt, A. D. (2004). When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing. Companion Press.

- Pierce, J. (2014). The last walk: Reflections on our pets at the end of their lives. University of Chicago Press.

 - Ragan, L. (2015). Signs From Pets In The Afterlife: Identifying Messages From Pets In Heaven

Websites & General Resources for Adults

University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work website containing pet loss support resources and a link to the Pet Loss Support Facebook page.

Best Friends Animal Society pet loss and grief resources. Links to websites, articles, books, and hotlines to help manage pet loss and grief. 

Grief Healing Blog - An assortment of literature related to pet loss compiled by grief counsellor, Marty Tousley. 

The Pet Loss Support Page contains a wealth of information pertaining to pet loss including reading material, links to pet loss hotlines and support groups across the United States. 

The Support Network for Grieving Pet Owners (Australia and New Zealand)

Coping with the loss of a pet - AVMA

  

Book Recommendations for Youth 

- The Dougy Center. (2018). Deconstruction/Reconstruction: A Grief Journal for Teens. The Dougy Center.

- Wolfelt, A. D. (2001). Healing a Teen’s Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas for Families, Friends and Caregivers. Companion Press.

- Wolfelt, A.D. (2001). Healing Your Grieving Heart ‘For Teens’: 100 Practical Ideas. Companion Press.

 

Websites & General Resources for Youth 

Grief Out Loud – Podcast produced by The Dougy Center. 

 

Book Recommendations for Children & Parents

- Adams, J. (2007). The Dragonfly Door. Feather Rock Books, Inc. 

- Grollman, E. A. (2011). Talking about Death: A Dialogue between Parent and ChildBoston: Beacon Press

- Heegaard Eaton, M. (2001) Saying Goodbye to Your Pet: Children Can Learn to Cope with Pet Loss. Fairview Press. 

- Krasny Brown, L., & Brown, M (1998). When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

- Mansfield, M. (2011). When You Have to Say Goodbye, Loving and Letting Go of Your Pet. Beanpole Books.

- Sugar. A. (2016). Our Love Lives on For Miles in Heaven. Pawsitive Resources. 

- Sugar, A. (2018). When Friendship Lives Beyond the StarsPawsitive Resources.

- Loewen, N. (2011) Good-bye, Jeepers: What to expect when your pet dies. Picture Window Books

Websites & General Resources for Children & Parents

Helping Children Cope with the Serious Illness or Death of a Companion Animal - Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center

Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents kids & grief resource page 

Pet loss support e-mail series for parents, 10 emails sent over 10 days

Pet loss resources for children, including books, articles, and websites to help children manage the loss of a pet. Also includes information on helping surviving pets deal with the grief of losing another animal in the home.

Anticipatory Grief and End-of-Life Decision Resources

- Reck, J. (2012). Facing Farewell: Making the decision to euthanize your pet. Dogwise Publishing.

Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents

Knowing When It’s Time to Say Goodbye – A resource for decision-making (written and audio version available) 


Online Support Groups

VetVine Pet Loss Support

Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Support Chat Room

Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement Chat Rooms

 

Crisis Resources

Crisis Text Line 

- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

- Suicide Prevention Helpline: 800-273-TALK (8255)

Complicated Grief Resources

The Center for Complicated Grief resources, articles, and self-assessments

Cruse Bereavement Care resources on complicated grief

Memorialization

Veterinary Wisdom - How to Memorialize Your Pet

- DeMello, M. (Ed.). (2016). Mourning animals: Rituals and practices surrounding animal death. MSU Press.

Day by Day Pet Support - Memorializing Your Pet 
 

Animal Grief

- King, B. J. (2013). How animals grieve. University of Chicago Press.