Pet Loss Support
If ever there was a place that appreciates how important your pet was to your family, its here. See what options there are to connect with other owners or process your grief.
Grief Support
Bring a photo of your pet to share with a group of like-minded people. Group support lasts 90 minutes and is a free community service.
Memorial Art Workshop
Research shows that art and healing come from the same source. Workshops are free and are focused on projects that memorialize your pet.
Service of Remembrance
Honor the undeniable bond between humans and companion animals as we come together to remember those who are no longer here.
More Perspectives
Navigate the grief of losing a pet with the personal experiences and perspectives of our Pet Loss Support Program team and participants.
Helpful Resources
Please visit these other pet loss support options if you are looking for more information or additional resources.
Memorialize a Pet
Find more ways to memorialize your pet or the pet of a loved one while giving back to DoveLewis.
Meet Our Veterinary Well-Being Director
Debrah Lee is the Veterinary Well-Being Director at DoveLewis. She is honored to facilitate DoveLewis’ Pet Loss Support Groups and provide short term grief support to clients following the death of a companion animal.
Group Meeting FAQs
Who can attend these meetings?
We welcome anyone grieving the recent or past loss of a companion animal, facing anticipatory grief from a terminal illness, or coping with rehoming or a lost companion animal. You are welcome to join us in group even if you have never sought veterinary services at DoveLewis.
Do I need to register in advance?
Yes, we require advance registration for each group you are planning to attend. This allows us to ensure the timing and flow of each meeting.
Is there a cost to join?
Our support groups are free of charge and open to anyone in the community.
Is there a limit on how many sessions I can attend?
We want to ensure everyone navigating this unique grief has room to heal. To help us accommodate those in need, we kindly ask that you attend no more than two Pet Loss Support Group meetings per month.
How many people are in a meeting?
We limit our group size to a maximum of 12 participants. Our meetings typically average between 6 and 12 people in attendance.
The meeting is full, what other resources are there?
You can find additional supportive materials, including support group links for external organizations, on our website.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please email petloss@dovelewis.org. This inbox is typically monitored Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please note that this email is not intended for urgent communications.
Where can I find more support or crisis resources?
The bond we share with our animals is profound, and the grief of their loss can feel overwhelming. Though the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program provides compassionate spaces for grief support, our offerings are not a substitute for professional mental health care, especially in a crisis.
If you or someone you care about is unable to cope or is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or harming others, please seek immediate help:
- Call or Text 988 | Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Available 24/7, free, and confidential)
- Call 911 | Or visit your nearest emergency room
- Contact Local Services | Reach out to your local emergency or community mental health services
Our History: The Longest-standing Program in The Country
What sets us apart?
One of the first programs of its kind in the United States and the only one serving the Pacific Northwest, we've helped thousands of grieving pet owners in our 35+ year history.
Meet the Program's Founder
Enid Traisman retired in December 2019. Her footprint and vision for pet loss and staff compassion fatigue will continue to help people for years to come.
Related Services for Your Pet and Family
Provide Support for Fellow Animal Lovers
We are grateful for the contributions from generous donors who make it possible for the Pet Loss Support Program to offer its services to our community of loving families. If it serves you, we welcome you to donate in honor of your beloved companion and to continue to make this space available in the future.
