Social work with a pet loss support group in a university veterinary hospital

This article describes the development of a bereavement support group for pet owners in a university veterinary hospital. The group is predicated on the understanding that a human-animal relationship can be strong and the loss of that bond, through the animal's death, can produce a grief reaction, though this problem is often overlooked. The description of the support group is presented in detail so that it may be replicated. Included are: the history of the group, the procedure for making clients aware of the group, the program, the demographics, and problems brought to the group. The discussion and conclusion support the development of interdisciplinary collaborations among veterinarians, owners and social workers in other veterinary hospitals.