Losing a pet can be as heart-wrenching as losing a family member. Pets offer unconditional love, emotional support, and a sense of stability. When they pass, the grief can be overwhelming, stirring up not just sadness but also old wounds from previous losses or traumas. Unfortunately, pet grief is often dismissed or minimized, especially by those who don’t share a similar bond with animals, leaving grieving pet owners feeling isolated.
Grieving the loss of a pet comes with unique challenges, including:
Grief is not just about missing your pet—it can feel like losing a piece of yourself. The absence of their presence in your daily life may make even simple tasks feel overwhelming, and grieving individuals may struggle with feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt.
Pet loss grief is often a form of disenfranchised grief—a loss that is significant but not always validated by society. People may make dismissive comments like “It’s just a dog” or “You can always get another pet,” which can deepen feelings of loneliness. At Healing Roots Wellness Center, we understand that your grief is real, and your loss is significant. You deserve support.
Grief is not just emotional—it affects the body as well. The loss of a pet can trigger:
Just as our nervous system reacts to other types of loss, pet loss can send our body into a stress response, making it difficult to regulate emotions and function in daily life. Therapy can help process grief in a way that honors both your emotional and physical well-being.
Therapy provides a safe space to grieve openly, process your emotions, and develop healthy coping strategies. At Healing Roots, our therapists can help you:
While all of our therapists can support you in navigating grief, Pilar Yoho, LSCSW, LCSW, specializes in pet loss and disenfranchised grief. With a deep understanding of the emotional and psychological impact of losing a pet, Pilar provides compassionate, individualized support to help you move through your grief with care and understanding.
Losing a pet is an incredibly personal experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Healing Roots Wellness Center, we offer:
We are here to support you on this journey. Whether you’re struggling with the immediate pain of loss or finding it difficult to move forward, therapy can help you heal while honoring the deep connection you shared with your pet.
📧 Email: pilar@hrwcservices.com
Your grief is valid. Your loss matters. Support is available. Reach out today to begin your healing journey.
At Healing Roots Wellness Center, we’re committed to supporting your mental well-being with professional care and guidance. The information provided throughout our website – including blog posts, articles, and other content – is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for personalized mental health support or professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While we are qualified mental health professionals, we do not diagnose medical conditions. If you have specific concerns about your health or well-being, we encourage you to seek advice from the appropriate healthcare provider. Healing Roots Wellness Center does not endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, or opinions mentioned on our website. Reliance on the information provided is solely at your own risk. Remember, your mental health journey is unique, and the right support can make all the difference.
