Pet Loss Is Real Loss. This New Online Hub Is Changing the Conversation
Pets are family. Anyone who has ever shared their bed, their couch, or their snacks with a dog or cat knows that losing them can feel just as painful as losing a person. Yet for many pet parents, that grief is often minimized or misunderstood. A new free online resource from the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College is working to change that and it is long overdue. When Sarah Bernardi lost her 10 year old cat Lily, the grief hit harder than she expected. Bernardi, a social worker at the Ontario Veterinary College and Health Sciences Centre, said the experience was devastating and surprising all at once. She struggled with things many pet parents quietly deal with, like putting away food bowls, toys, or bedding long after their pet is gone.
Her experience is exactly why the Ontario Veterinary College launched the Pet Loss Support Resource Centre. The website is designed to help pet parents navigate the emotional aftermath of losing an animal companion without judgment or timelines. The landing page acts as a gentle guide through grief. It includes articles that normalize pet loss, videos featuring veterinary professionals, downloadable readings, and links to mental health supports. The goal is simple but powerful: remind people that their grief is valid.
One of the most moving parts of the site is a documentary series called Always Near Me. One episode, Sydney’s Best Friend, follows Emily Mallett of Orangeville and her daughter Sydney as they talk about losing their dog Bella to cancer. Sydney was only six years old when Bella died, and she even assisted the veterinarian during Bella’s at home euthanasia. Sydney shares honestly that while she was excited to help, she also hated the moment because it meant losing her best friend. Over time, she learned an important truth that many adults still struggle with.
Emily believes that both children and adults deserve space to grieve pets openly. She points out that society rarely gives us permission to mourn animals in meaningful ways. There are no funerals, no obituaries, no celebrations of life, and no bereavement leave when a pet dies. That silence can make grief feel lonely and invisible. This type of pain has a name. Bernardi calls it disenfranchised grief. It refers to loss that is not always socially recognized or validated. Because pets are not human, people may feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about how deeply their loss hurts.
But the bond between pets and people is real. Pets are with us every single day. They see us at our worst and our best. They offer comfort without conditions. Losing that presence can leave a massive emotional gap. The Pet Loss Support Resource Centre aims to fill that gap with understanding, education, and community. Even for those who lost a pet years ago, the resources can help reaffirm feelings that may have gone unspoken for too long. For millennial pet parents who proudly call themselves dog moms or cat dads, this site sends a clear message. Your grief matters. Your pet mattered. And you are not overreacting. Healing does not mean forgetting. Sometimes it means remembering together.
The landing page can be found: Here
