Meetings Are Free of Charge
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Coping with the death of a pet can be a stressful experience. Veterinary Social Work Service at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine offers the virtual Pet Loss Support Group to help those experiencing the grief process no matter the species of pet or how much time has passed since the loss.
The group meetings offer a supportive environment where people can share their varied experiences of grief and loss of a companion animal, a place to remember and honor the life of the companion animal, and learn additional ways of coping with the loss of an animal.
The facilitator helps to answer questions, guide the discussion and provide resources when needed. The facilitator may be a licensed therapist, a therapist in training or a peer support leader. This is not a therapy group or a substitute for psychiatric care, psychotherapy or medical treatment.
The virtual group meetings are free and are designed for anyone whose pet has died or is terminally ill. The meetings will be held monthly February through June from 6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m (Eastern). The dates are February 13, March 11, April 17, May 14, and June 10. Register at tiny.utk.edu/PetLossSupportGroup.
For more information about the online meetings, contact the Veterinary Social Work Service at 865-755-8839 or by email at vetsocialwork@utk.edu.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.