Pet Loss Grief Support

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Support for Navigating Pet Loss and Anticipatory Grief

Losing a pet can feel incredibly lonely.

They are woven into the rhythm of our everyday lives. Our quiet routines, the comfort they bring, their consistent companionship, and the way they show up for us without asking for anything in return. They witness our hardest days and our happiest ones, and their steady love feels like home.

When they’re gone, the void they leave behind can feel overwhelming. Sometimes the people around us don’t fully understand the depth of that loss. You may hear things like “it was just a dog” or feel pressure to move on before you’re ready.

But grief after losing a beloved pet is real. Your bond was real. And you deserve space to talk about your pet, your loss, and everything you’re feeling with someone who understands how profound that relationship can be.

You do not have to carry this alone.

man hugging his dog because Losing a pet can feel incredibly lonely.

What This Support Offers

This service offers short-term, one-on-one grief support for those navigating pet loss or anticipatory grief.

Sessions provide a compassionate space to speak openly about your experience — whether you’re facing an upcoming goodbye, grieving a recent loss, or carrying the weight of a bond that mattered deeply.
Support is offered at your pace. There is no expectation to feel a certain way, to “move forward,” or to have the right words. This space is about presence, understanding, and honoring the relationship you shared.

This is grief support, not therapy or counseling, and is intended to offer care during a particularly tender time.

Anticipatory Grief Support Pets

Anticipatory Grief Support

Watching a beloved pet grow older, receive a difficult diagnosis, or begin to slow down can bring a unique kind of heartbreak. You may find yourself grieving while your pet is still here. Trying to soak up every moment while also quietly fearing what’s ahead. Some days may feel filled with gratitude. Other days may feel heavy with sadness, guilt, fear, or uncertainty.

You may be facing difficult decisions. You may be losing sleep over “what ifs.” You may feel pressure to stay strong for everyone else while quietly falling apart inside.

This kind of grief can feel incredibly isolating, especially because people don’t always recognize that grief can begin long before a loss actually happens.

Anticipatory grief support offers you a space to talk through those emotions with someone who understands the deep bond we share with our pets. A space to process what you’re feeling, honor your relationship with your pet, and feel a little less alone as you navigate this tender chapter.

You do not have to wait until after loss to ask for support.

Grief Support Session Pricing

Some people feel supported after one session, while others prefer ongoing support during a
particularly difficult season. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you.

Virtual Grief Support Session

$75/session

One-on-one grief support sessions are held virtually through Google Meet and last approximately 50 minutes.

What to Expect in a Session

Sessions are designed to be calm, private, and unhurried.

Each session is approximately 50 minutes and offered one-on-one in a virtual setting, allowing you to join from a place where you feel most at ease. There is no expectation to arrive prepared or to talk the entire time. Silence, tears, and uncertainty are all welcome.

This is a space to speak openly about your experience — whether you’re facing an upcoming goodbye, grieving a recent loss, or carrying the weight of a bond that mattered deeply. Conversation is guided by your pace and what feels most present for you in the moment.

When helpful, I may offer gentle reflections or practices to explore between sessions — such as journaling prompts, quiet rituals, or moments of remembrance. These are always optional and intended to support your own pace of reflection outside our time together.
Most people find one or two sessions helpful during particularly tender times. Some choose to return later, around anniversaries or moments when the grief resurfaces. There is no required number of sessions.
Shannon - Owner - Puppy Love Pet Sitting Wimberley, TX

About Me

I’m Shannon, the owner of Puppy Love Pet Sitting.

I studied psychology early on because I’ve always been deeply interested in people, relationships, and the emotional experiences that shape our lives. Years later, I built Puppy Love Pet Sitting and have spent much of my adult life caring for companion animals and supporting the people who love them. Through that work, I’ve had a front row seat to the incredible bond people share with their pets. I’ve also seen the heartbreak that comes when that bond is threatened through illness, aging, or loss.

Over the years, I’ve sat with grieving clients who were hurting deeply and sometimes felt like the people around them didn’t fully understand the magnitude of their loss. I began to realize how many people were carrying that grief quietly and how much they needed a space where they could feel seen and supported.

That led me to pursue two certifications in pet loss grief support so I could better honor the human-animal bond and learn how to compassionately support people as they process grief, anticipatory loss, guilt, and the many complicated emotions that can come with loving a pet deeply.

It is an honor to hold space for people during such a tender time

Education & Training

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
  • Certified Pet Loss Grief Specialist (Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement)
  • Certified Pet Loss Grief Support Specialist (The American Academy of Grief Counseling)
  • Fear Free Certified Professional
  • Certified Professional Pet Sitter (Pet Sitters International)

Is This the Right Space for You?

This space may be helpful if you are:

N
Facing the anticipated loss of a beloved pet
N

Grieving the death of an animal who mattered deeply to you

N
Feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or alone in your grief
N
Looking for a compassionate place to talk openly and be understood
N

Wanting space to honor the bond you shared, without pressure to “move on”

This space may not be the right fit if you are:

N
Seeking ongoing therapy or mental health treatment
N
Experiencing a mental health crisis or feeling unsafe
N
In need of clinical or emergency support
This service does not replace therapy or crisis care. If additional or clinical support is needed, I can provide referrals to licensed professionals within the state of Texas.

Questions You May Be Carrying

Sessions are designed to be calm, private, and unhurried.

Is this therapy or counseling?

No. This service offers short-term pet loss grief support and compassionate conversation during a tender time. It is not therapy or mental health treatment, and it does not replace care from a licensed mental health professional.

Do I need to know what I want to talk about before a session?

Not at all. Many people arrive unsure of what they want to say or where to begin. You’re welcome to start wherever feels easiest — or simply sit quietly until words come.

What if I cry the whole time — or don’t cry at all?

Both are completely okay. Grief looks different for everyone, and there’s no right way to experience or express it here.

How many sessions do people usually have?

Most people find one or two sessions helpful during particularly tender moments. Some choose to return later, around anniversaries or times when the grief resurfaces. There is no required number of sessions.

Can I seek support before my pet has passed?

Yes. Anticipatory grief support is available for those navigating illness, aging, or difficult decisions. You don’t need to wait until after loss to reach out.

How do I get started?

You can begin by completing a brief form using the button below. This helps me understand your situation and determine the most supportive next step.

Session details and current pricing are shared after the brief intake form, once we determine the most supportive next step.

When You’re Ready

Grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and reaching out can feel hard, especially when words are difficult to find.

There’s no pressure to know exactly what you need right now. If this space feels like it might be helpful, you’re welcome to start by filling out a short form so I can learn a little about you, your pet, and what kind of support you’re looking for.
From there, we’ll take the next steps gently, together.