Support Groups

When you need to be around people who understand why this loss or decision feels so deep.

8 places to search now.

Every result below links to its owner and shows when the public source was last checked.

Official nonprofit directory Source checked 2026-07-10

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Pet Loss & Bereavement Service Directory

A searchable directory covering pet-loss counselors, veterinary social workers, doulas, chaplains, support groups, in-home euthanasia, hospitals, and aftercare services.

Use it when

Use this when the type of support is unclear or you need to compare local and online options across emotional, spiritual, and practical care.

Coverage: International and online
Access: Local and virtual search

Open official source

Official nonprofit support program Source checked 2026-07-10

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

No-Charge Pet Loss Chat and Video Groups

Scheduled online chat rooms and video support groups for people grieving a companion animal, with separate educational resources for anticipatory grief and euthanasia.

Use it when

Use this when you need a low-pressure first step, want to listen before speaking, or feel that people around you do not understand pet loss.

Coverage: Virtual
Access: Virtual groups

Open official source

University veterinary program Source checked 2026-07-10

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Pet Loss Support Hotline and Resource Center

A veterinary-student volunteer hotline trained with professional grief counselors, plus guidance on grief, children, euthanasia, memorials, and additional support groups.

Use it when

Use this when you need a compassionate listener or a credible place to understand what grief can feel like. It is not a mental-health crisis line.

Coverage: United States by phone; resources available online
Access: Phone and online
Phone: 607-218-7457

Open official source

University veterinary program Source checked 2026-07-10

Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Pet Loss Support Helpline

A nonjudgmental pet-loss helpline with scheduled evening staffing and voicemail, plus curated links to university hotlines and grief resources.

Use it when

Use this when evenings feel hardest and you want to talk with someone who understands companion-animal loss without entering therapy immediately.

Coverage: United States by phone
Access: Phone helpline
Phone: 508-839-7966

Open official source

University veterinary social-work program Source checked 2026-07-10

Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center

Free Remote Pet Loss Support Group

A no-charge remote group run by Veterinary Social Work Services, generally meeting twice monthly and open to people whose pet was not treated at MSU.

Use it when

Use this when you want a recurring group led from a veterinary social-work setting and can attend at a scheduled time.

Coverage: Virtual; open beyond MSU clients
Access: Virtual group

Open official source

University veterinary support program Source checked 2026-07-10

Colorado State University Argus Wellness and Support

Pet Loss, Decision and Quality-of-Life Support

University-based support for treatment decisions, quality of life, family conversations, euthanasia, and grief, with a public resource page listing groups and counselors.

Use it when

Use this when the medical decision and the emotional weight are tangled together, especially if your dog is a CSU hospital patient or you need Colorado resources.

Coverage: Colorado and selected virtual groups
Access: In person, phone and virtual
Phone: 970-297-1242

Open official source

University veterinary social-work center Source checked 2026-07-10

University of Tennessee Center for Veterinary Social Work

Veterinary Social Work Support

A university center offering animal-related grief and bereavement support, including information on its pet-loss support group and help finding appropriate resources.

Use it when

Use this when you want support grounded in veterinary social work or need help understanding whether a group, counselor, or community resource fits.

Coverage: Tennessee and virtual programs
Access: Program and group support

Open official source

Provider support program Source checked 2026-07-10

Lap of Love

Virtual Pet Loss Support Groups

Free coach-led groups, specialty groups, one-to-one sessions, and courses covering pet loss, anticipatory grief, unexpected loss, and behavioral euthanasia.

Use it when

Use this when you want a group matched to the kind of loss, or when anticipatory grief starts before your dog has died.

Coverage: Virtual
Access: Free and paid virtual support
Phone: 855-352-5683

Open official source

Questions to ask before choosing support.

Use these to compare options calmly and to spot vague answers before a stressful moment.

Is the group moderated?

Ask for a plain answer, written next steps, cost expectations when relevant, and what would change the plan.

Is it loss-specific or general grief?

Ask for a plain answer, written next steps, cost expectations when relevant, and what would change the plan.

Can someone attend before goodbye?

Ask for a plain answer, written next steps, cost expectations when relevant, and what would change the plan.

Signs this category may be worth exploring.

These are practical reasons to start a conversation or collect provider options.

You feel isolatedFriends do not understand the lossYou need a lower-cost first stepYou want others who get it

How to evaluate a result.

A directory can help you find options. It cannot replace checking scope, credentials, availability, cost, and fit for your dog.

Confirm current details

Call or open the official source to confirm service area, hours, pricing, credentials, and whether new clients are accepted.

Match scope to need

Medical diagnosis belongs with a licensed veterinarian. Counseling, coaching, social work, spiritual care, and peer support have different scopes.

Make the next step explicit

Ask what happens after first contact, what records are needed, what the service costs, and what should happen if your dog worsens.