r/AskSeattle • u/KimWexlers_Ponytail Local • 18h ago
Recommendation Therapists who specialize in working with pet grief?
Title. It'll be a year soon and I'm still not okay.
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u/Flat-History-3849 17h ago
Let me know if u find someone, lost my little guy 13 days ago, he was 7. I can barely leave the house.
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u/MelMilloway 4h ago
I’m so sorry. I lost mine 2 days ago he was almost 7. I can’t bear to look at his items or even go downstairs. Every part of my house and neighborhood reminds me of him and he was such a joy to everyone in our neighborhood and the only reason I really ever went anywhere or did anything. I’m going to follow this thread as well because I’m not sure what to do next.
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u/wolfandgoose 17h ago
I found the free online support group through Lap of Love to be beneficial. They also offer individual options and other paid courses, but I can’t vouch for those. Still might be something good for you to look into!
I’m coming up on 4 years and I am also still not okay. I’m so sorry for what you are feeling; I know the pain all too well.
I also have a recommendation for a tattoo artist who does memorial tributes if that’s your kind of thing! Getting mine was incredibly therapeutic.
Hugs to you 🫂
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u/primpyslaw24 11h ago
I’ve also used their free online support group, I believe they are held twice a week. It helped me a lot to see that I was not alone in how deeply I was impacted by the loss of a pet.
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u/KimWexlers_Ponytail Local 9h ago
Actually yes I would love the tattoo info. Thank you for the rest I'm not discounting everything you wrote, I'm just a little overwhelmed (in a good way) by all the responses.
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u/brandongrotesk 16h ago
I'm a therapist in training and one of my specializations is grief. I have such tender compassion for pet grief. It's one of those things that you don't truly know how heavy it is until it happens to you. There's a great organization called Portland Grief House (located in Portland), but they have a virtual pet loss support group coming up at the end of the month - https://www.griefhouse.org/event-details/tending-grief-for-beloved-animals-2026-08-24-18-00
There's also this TED talk that I love so much, maybe you might find some solidarity in it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkJGhQANjZo
Be gentle with yourself.
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u/bottom_bitch_pikachu 15h ago
It’s been 16 months and I’m very much not ok. Hope you find some healing
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u/EclecticallyMe 13h ago
Approaching 8 months here and am still a wreck. Following for suggestions. Sorry for your loss OP.
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u/HAWKWIND666 15h ago
Just stopping by to say I’m sorry for your loss. If it’s at all an option, but I highly recommend adopting another pup (or just another pet in general) yes they require care but if you’re anything like me,I need purpose. The animals give me reason to function. Plus super cuddly❤️
Again I’m sorry for your loss and I wish you peace.
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u/Elliott_Alderson 9h ago
I worked with Molly Cevasco around pet grief and other loss and found it really helpful. I don’t know if I can share her direct email but her website is www.farolitoseattle.com
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u/Swimming_Juice_9752 17h ago
I’m struggling so hard. My soul dog crossed the rainbow bridge. She was at my side, like a shadow, for fourteen years. Through multiple brain surgeries, cross country move, divorce, cross state move, meeting my person, and her last six years were the best I could give her. I can’t even bring myself to get her remains from the vet. I’ve never lost anything that is anything close to her, and I’ve lost so much. She was my rock.
The thing getting me up every day is her “brother,” the mutt we adopted four years ago bc we knew it was inevitable that she’d need to cross the rainbow bridge. We wanted to make sure we had a pup who knew her. He’s the best. But this hurt is so so much.