Book Recommendations for Adults
- Kessler, David (2020). Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. Scribner.
- Carmack, Betty J. (2003). Grieving the Death of a Pet. Augsburg Fortress.
- Greene, L. & Landis, J. (2002). Saying goodbye to the pet you love: A complete resource to help you heal. New Harbinger Publications.
- Kowalski, G. (2012). Goodbye friend: Healing wisdom for anyone who has ever lost a pet. New World Library.
- Wallace, S. (2014). The loss of a pet: A guide to coping with the grieving process when a pet dies. Howell Book House.
- Wolfelt, A. D. (2004). When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing. Companion Press.
- Pierce, J. (2014). The last walk: Reflections on our pets at the end of their lives. University of Chicago Press.
- Ragan, L. (2015). Signs From Pets In The Afterlife: Identifying Messages From Pets In Heaven.
Websites & General Resources for Adults
- University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work website containing pet loss support resources and a link to the Pet Loss Support Facebook page.
- Best Friends Animal Society pet loss and grief resources. Links to websites, articles, books, and hotlines to help manage pet loss and grief.
- Grief Healing Blog - An assortment of literature related to pet loss compiled by grief counsellor, Marty Tousley.
- The Pet Loss Support Page contains a wealth of information pertaining to pet loss including reading material, links to pet loss hotlines and support groups across the United States.
- The Support Network for Grieving Pet Owners (Australia and New Zealand)
- Coping with the loss of a pet - AVMA
Book Recommendations for Youth
- The Dougy Center. (2018). Deconstruction/Reconstruction: A Grief Journal for Teens. The Dougy Center.
- Wolfelt, A. D. (2001). Healing a Teen’s Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas for Families, Friends and Caregivers. Companion Press.
- Wolfelt, A.D. (2001). Healing Your Grieving Heart ‘For Teens’: 100 Practical Ideas. Companion Press.
Websites & General Resources for Youth
- Grief Out Loud – Podcast produced by The Dougy Center.
Book Recommendations for Children & Parents
- Adams, J. (2007). The Dragonfly Door. Feather Rock Books, Inc.
- Grollman, E. A. (2011). Talking about Death: A Dialogue between Parent and Child. Boston: Beacon Press
- Heegaard Eaton, M. (2001) Saying Goodbye to Your Pet: Children Can Learn to Cope with Pet Loss. Fairview Press.
- Krasny Brown, L., & Brown, M (1998). When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
- Mansfield, M. (2011). When You Have to Say Goodbye, Loving and Letting Go of Your Pet. Beanpole Books.
- Sugar. A. (2016). Our Love Lives on For Miles in Heaven. Pawsitive Resources.
- Sugar, A. (2018). When Friendship Lives Beyond the Stars. Pawsitive Resources.
- Loewen, N. (2011) Good-bye, Jeepers: What to expect when your pet dies. Picture Window Books
Websites & General Resources for Children & Parents
- Helping Children Cope with the Serious Illness or Death of a Companion Animal - Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center
- Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents kids & grief resource page
- Pet loss support e-mail series for parents, 10 emails sent over 10 days
- Pet loss resources for children, including books, articles, and websites to help children manage the loss of a pet. Also includes information on helping surviving pets deal with the grief of losing another animal in the home.
Anticipatory Grief and End-of-Life Decision Resources
- Reck, J. (2012). Facing Farewell: Making the decision to euthanize your pet. Dogwise Publishing.
- Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents
- Knowing When It’s Time to Say Goodbye – A resource for decision-making (written and audio version available)
Online Support Groups
- Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Support Chat Room
- Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement Chat Rooms
Crisis Resources
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Suicide Prevention Helpline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
Complicated Grief Resources
- The Center for Complicated Grief resources, articles, and self-assessments
- Cruse Bereavement Care resources on complicated grief
Memorialization
- Veterinary Wisdom - How to Memorialize Your Pet
- DeMello, M. (Ed.). (2016). Mourning animals: Rituals and practices surrounding animal death. MSU Press.
- Day by Day Pet Support - Memorializing Your Pet
Animal Grief
- King, B. J. (2013). How animals grieve. University of Chicago Press.
