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Pet Grief Support in Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, and Las Colinas, TX

Mikayla Jacob

Integrating Veterinary Social Work for Compassionate Care

Author: Mikayla Jacob, LCSW-S, LISW, Founder and Director of Clinical Services at Sentient Path PLLC
Date: January 21, 2025

Introduction

Losing a beloved pet can feel overwhelming. Many of us form deep emotional bonds with our companion animals, and saying goodfbye can be just as heartbreaking as losing a close friend or family member (Archer, 1997). However, pet grief is often overlooked or minimized, leaving individuals to cope alone. In Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, and Las Colinas, Texas, our practice offers specialized pet grief therapy and group support led by a team that includes a therapist trained in Veterinary Social Work (VSW). We accept Aetna insurance for our pet grief groups and provide cash pay options to ensure that compassionate care is accessible and affordable.

What Is Veterinary Social Work?

Veterinary Social Work (VSW) is an emerging interdisciplinary model of care that addresses the complex emotional, social, and mental health aspects of human-animal relationships (International Association of Veterinary Social Workers [IAVSW], 2022). According to Sutton-Ryan (2022), many individuals first seek professional interaction—not with a social worker—but in veterinary spaces. By embedding social work services there, VSW increases access to much-needed support, including pet grief counseling.

VSW practice highlights four core areas:

  1. Grief and Loss (including companion animal loss)

  2. Compassion Fatigue and Mental Health of Veterinary Professionals

  3. Evidence-Based Animal-Assisted Interventions

  4. The Link Between Interpersonal Violence and Animal Abuse

Recognizing these connections is crucial, especially given that 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet (American Pet Products Association [APPA], 2022). When a pet dies, the resulting grief can be significant and, at times, disenfranchised—meaning society doesn’t always acknowledge or validate it (Walsh, 2009).

Meet Our Therapist Trained in Veterinary Social Work: Angela Corley, LMSW

One of our pet grief groups is led by Angela Corley, a therapist with extensive training in Veterinary Social Work. Angela has experience supporting individuals and families through the challenges of pet loss, using evidence-based interventions that address both the emotional toll on pet owners and the potential secondary stress on veterinary professionals.

Why VSW Matters for Pet Grief

  • Holistic Approach: By understanding the human-animal bond, a VSW-trained therapist like Angela Corley can integrate relevant emotional, social, and relational factors into each session.

  • Validated Experiences: VSW professionals acknowledge that pet loss is a major life event, deserving the same level of care as other forms of grief (Sutton-Ryan, 2022).

  • Community Education: Angela’s role also includes providing resources and education to veterinarians, vet techs, and others in the local pet care community, fostering a broader network of empathy and support.

Understanding Pet Grief

Pet grief often mirrors the stages of human grief:

  1. Shock/Denial

  2. Anger

  3. Bargaining

  4. Depression

  5. Acceptance

Yet, cultural or societal stigmas can leave bereaved pet owners feeling isolated or misunderstood (Zilcha-Mano et al., 2012). Through pet grief therapy, you can process these emotions in a safe space, knowing your pain is real and valid.

Individual Counseling Benefits

  • Safe, Confidential Environment: Discuss your grief at your own pace.

  • Personalized Coping Strategies: Learn mindfulness techniques, journaling, or memorialization activities to honor your pet.

  • Focused Support: Address any feelings of guilt or regret, common after the loss of a companion animal.

Group Therapy for Pet Loss

For many, shared experience can be a powerful catalyst for healing. Our pet grief support group offers:

  • Collective Understanding: You’ll meet others who empathize with your loss, reducing isolation.

  • Mutual Learning: Hearing how others cope provides new strategies and insights.

  • Guidance from a VSW Specialist: With Angela Corley’s background, the group benefits from a therapist trained to integrate the human-animal bond into therapeutic interventions.

Why Veterinary Social Work Is Crucial for Pet Grief

  • Holistic Integration: VSW recognizes that mental health, veterinary care, and the human-animal bond are interlinked (Sutton-Ryan, 2022).

  • Preventing Disenfranchised Grief: VSW-trained therapists validate the depth of your relationship with your pet.

  • Support for Veterinary Professionals: Veterinary teams experience high rates of compassion fatigue; VSW can mitigate these stressors (Nett et al., 2015).

Insurance and Payment Options

We strive to make pet grief counseling as accessible as possible:

  • Aetna Insurance: Our practice accepts Aetna, streamlining the process for insured clients.

  • Cash Pay: For those without insurance or who prefer self-pay, we offer flexible options to ensure you receive quality care.

Serving Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, and Las Colinas, TX

Our team is dedicated to supporting local communities across the DFW area. Whether you opt for in-person sessions or telehealth, we tailor our approach to meet your needs. You’re never alone in this journey; we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Taking the Next Step

  1. Reach Out: Schedule a consultation to discuss individual counseling or group therapy with our Veterinary Social Worker.

  2. Validate Your Feelings: Remember that losing a pet can be just as impactful as losing a human loved one.

  3. Join Our Pet Grief Group: Share your experiences, learn from others, and gain professional insights from Angela Corley.

  4. Continue the Conversation: Pet grief can be a long process. Allow yourself the space, time, and support to heal.

Conclusion

Pet grief is real, deeply felt, and deserving of professional care. With Veterinary Social Work training and a compassionate approach, our practice is uniquely equipped to help you navigate this challenging time. Contact us todayto learn more about our pet grief therapy options, including Aetna coverage and cash pay alternatives. Let’s honor your beloved companion together and set you on a path to healing and hope.

References

American Pet Products Association. (2022). APPA national pet owners survey. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/pubs_survey.asp

Archer, J. (1997). Why do people love their pets? Evolution and Human Behavior, 18(4), 237–259.

International Association of Veterinary Social Workers. (2022). IAVSW website. https://veterinarysocialwork.org/

Nett, R. J., Witte, T. K., Holzbauer, S. M., Elchos, B. L., Campagnolo, E. R., Musgrave, K. J., Carter, K. K., Kurkjian, K. M., Vanicek, C., O’Leary, D. R., Pride, K. R., & Funk, R. H. (2015). Prevalence of risk factors for suicide among veterinarians—United States, 2014. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 64(5), 131–132.

Sutton-Ryan, A. (2022). Awareness of veterinary social work in veterinary professionals capstone project. University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work Certificate.

Walsh, F. (2009). Human-animal bonds I: The relational significance of companion animals. Family Process, 48(4), 462–480.

Zilcha-Mano, S., Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2012). Pet in the therapy room: An attachment perspective on animal-assisted therapy. Social Work, 57(2), 165–177.