The bond between people and their pets is profound, creating lasting connections that deeply impact our lives. When a beloved pet passes, families are often left with a unique and complex grief that can be difficult to navigate alone. Eternal Tides is committed to addressing this growing need for dedicated grief support through partnerships with licensed mental health practitioners, counselors, and holistic providers who understand the emotional depth of pet loss. We are seeking collaborators who share our dedication to compassionate care and want to be at the forefront of pet bereavement support in our community.

Why the Need for Pet Loss Support Is Urgent

The loss of a pet can trigger significant grief, impacting mental and emotional well-being in profound ways. While traditional mental health services primarily address human bereavement, the experience of pet loss remains underserved, despite the urgent and growing need for support. Research has shown that pet loss can lead to feelings of isolation, prolonged sadness, and even trauma, highlighting the importance of having accessible and specialized services available.

Additionally, those in veterinary and animal care professions experience high rates of burnout and compassion fatigue, with veterinarians among the most affected. Studies have documented that veterinarians are disproportionately impacted by high stress, emotional exhaustion, and, tragically, suicide (AVMA, 2021).

How We Envision Working Together

Eternal Tides is dedicated to creating a network of grief support services, offering multiple pathways for families and professionals to find healing. We envision a range of support services that reflect our community’s needs and values, including (but not limited to):

Individual and Group Counseling: We are looking to partner with mental health professionals who can provide one-on-one or group counseling sessions tailored to pet loss. We are interested in collaborating to help facilitate whatever modality is best suited to help those in need of processing grief following the loss of a beloved pet.

Workshops and Peer Support: We aim to develop community-led workshops or peer support groups that create safe spaces for sharing and connection. Mental health professionals could lead workshops on navigating grief, self-care for veterinary staff, and building resilience after loss.

Therapeutic Resources for Veterinary Staff: Recognizing the high-stress nature of veterinary work, we hope to collaborate with mental health experts on developing support resources specifically for animal care workers. Through workshops, support circles, and specialized counseling, we aim to address burnout and provide mental health care tailored to the unique challenges faced by veterinary professionals.

Holistic and Alternative Support: For those seeking a holistic approach, we are also open to partnerships with practitioners specializing in mindfulness, Reiki, energy work, or other therapeutic practices. These alternatives can offer gentle support and grounding to help individuals find peace and balance in their grieving process.

Let’s Make Healing Accessible Together

If you are a licensed mental health provider, counselor, holistic practitioner, or wellness professional interested in supporting pet loss grief, we want to connect with you. By working together, we can build a network of grief support services that honor the profound love between people and their pets and create a healthier, more compassionate community.

Ready to Talk? Contact us to discuss how we can work together to meet the urgent need for pet grief support. Whether through individual counseling, group sessions, or holistic wellness offerings, your expertise and compassion can make a vital difference for those grieving a beloved pet.