Pet Loss Is Real Grief. A Portland Program Has Spent 40 Years Making Space for It.

PORTLAND, OR – The death of a pet can leave a profound absence, but the grief surrounding it has not always been recognized in the same way as other significant losses. There may be no established rituals, workplace policies, or shared expectations for what comes next. People may encounter discomfort, hear words that minimize the relationship, or feel pressure to move on before they are ready.

This experience is often described as disenfranchised grief: a loss that is deeply felt but not fully acknowledged or supported by society. Without that recognition, people can be left to navigate an intensely personal loss without the understanding and community that often accompany other forms of bereavement.

Forty years ago, DoveLewis set out to change that. Founded in 1986 by Enid Traisman, MSW, the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program was only the third program of its kind in the country and the first on the West Coast. What began as a new kind of support at a time when pet loss was rarely discussed has grown into one of the longest-standing program of its kind in the United States, helping thousands of grieving pet owners over four decades.

“Pet loss can affect every part of a person’s life because our animals are woven into our routines, our homes, and our sense of family,” said Debrah Lee, LCSW, Veterinary Well-Being Director at DoveLewis. “There is no single right way to grieve. Sometimes the most meaningful support is simply having a place where you do not need to explain why the loss hurts so much.”

Today, the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program offers free virtual and in-person support groups, memorial art workshops, remembrance services, and online grief resources. The program is open to anyone experiencing the passing of a pet, regardless of when it happened or where their animal received veterinary care.

Although the bond between people and their pets is more openly celebrated today, the grief that follows a loss can still be minimized or misunderstood. DoveLewis’ support groups offer space to reflect, share, and listen at each person’s own pace, while workshops and remembrance services give people ways to honor relationships that continue to matter after a pet is gone.

“Grief is a reflection of the bond we shared,” Lee said. “Making room to remember an animal, say their name, and be with people who understand can be an important part of carrying that bond forward.”

The program’s 40th anniversary comes as DoveLewis prepares to host its annual Service of Remembrance on September 13, bringing community members together to honor beloved animal companions who have passed away.

Learn more about DoveLewis’ free Pet Loss Support Program and upcoming opportunities for support at dovelewis.org.

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