Grief Support

It is completely natural to feel grief at the loss of a pet. In fact, grieving is a healthy part of the end-of-life process, and something that needs to be experienced in order to overcome the pain of loss and eventually move forward. While we will always miss our beloved pets that have passed on, their loss becomes easier to bear if we allow ourselves to grieve. In time, we can remember our pets fondly, and cherish the memories they gave us. The Comfort Krewe can connect you with experienced grief counselors and social workers who are certified in veterinary hospice. Call (337)362-5966 for more information and consult our links below for additional resources.

Resources to Help with Grief Support

Below, you can find a variety of media about pet loss and grief support for yourself and your family members. If you have children, we encourage you to gently walk them through the process using the children’s resources listed farther down under Books and Journals.

Local Resources

Glenda Johnwell, Licensed Professional Counselor

1319 W. Pinhook Rd., Ste. 211
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337)453-4584
services@johnwell.net

Andrea LeDee, Provisionally Licensed Counselor

Moore Wellness
113 Heymann Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 458-9500
https://moorewellness.life

Websites

Cornell University: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/Org/Petloss/

Pet Loss Help: http://www.petlosshelp.org

Tufts University: www.tufts.edu/vet/petloss

Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement: www.aplb.org

Phone Services

Toll-Free 877-394-2273 (CARE) – Staffed by University of Illinois veterinary students
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday 7PM-9PM Central Time.

Cornell’s Pet Loss Support Hotline
607-218-7457 – The Pet Loss Support Hotline is available via Google Voice to facilitate support Monday – Friday 6PM-9PM EST, and Saturdays – Sundays 12PM-9PM EST.
Google Voice will prompt you to enter your name before connecting, however, to remain anonymous you can say “anonymous” or just enter your first name.

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice National Pet Loss & Bereavement Hotline (855) 352-5683 – Answered 7 days a week from 7AM–11PM EST.

Printed Materials

Books

For Children:

Remembering Pets by Gina Dalpra-Berman
I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judy Viorst
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia, PhD
Remembering My Pet by Nachama Liss-Levinson, PHD and Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette, MDiv.
Where the Tomorrows Go by Manoj S. Abraham (Available formats: Hardcover, Electronic (Apple iBook, Amazon Kindle, Google Play, EPUB. Book website: http://wherethetomorrowsgo.com/)
Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso

For Adults:

Goodbye My Friend: Grieving the Loss of a Pet by Mary and Herb Montgomery
Euthanasia of the Companion Animal: The Impact on Pet Owners, Veterinarians, and Society by William J. Kay
Loving and Losing a Pet by Michael Stern, PhD and Susan Cropper, DVM
Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet by Moira K. Anderson
When Your Pet Dies by Jamie Quackenbush
Healing the Pain of Pet Loss: Letters in Memoriam by Kymberly Smith
Animals: God’s Faithful Servants by Joe King
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge by Colleen Nicholson
Going Home by Jon Katz
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet by Gary Kowalski
Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz
Grieving the Death of a Pet by Betty Carmack
Kindred Spirit, Kindred Care: Making Health Decisions on Behalf of Our Animal Companions by Shannon Fujimoto Nakaya, DVM
The Last Walk by Jessica Pierce
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche

Journals & Scrapbooks

For Children:

I Remember: A Book about My Special Pet, Montgomery Press, Minnesota
My Pet Died by Rachel Biale

For Adults:

My Personal Pet Remembrance Journal by Enid Samuel Traisman

Crisis Lifeline

If you are in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support, please call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available at all times. Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org.