Pet Loss Grief Support
Whether you’re preparing for goodbye or coping with loss, you don’t have to carry it alone. We offer one-on-one grief support to honor the human-animal bond – before, during and after end-of-life decisions.
About Pet Loss & Caregiver Grief
Grief often begins long before a pet’s passing. As medical needs change and decisions loom, caregivers may feel sadness, guilt, anxiety, or relief—and then question those feelings. After a loss, waves of grief can affect sleep, appetite, relationships, and daily functioning. All of this is normal. The bond you share with your animal is profound, and your grief deserves dedicated care.
Our goal is to provide a steady, non-judgmental place to process emotions, clarify options, and plan meaningful next steps—whether that’s navigating quality-of-life discussions, preparing for a peaceful goodbye at home, or finding your footing in the days and weeks after.
Meet Christine Galotti Noyes, LCSW, VSW
Christine Galotti Noyes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York State and a credentialed Veterinary Social Worker (VSW), specializing in the intersection of mental health and the human–animal bond. As the Veterinary Social Worker at VERG Brooklyn—a 24-hour emergency and specialty animal hospital—Christine supports pet parents and veterinary professionals through medical crises, end-of-life decisions, and grief. She brings a compassionate, trauma-informed approach rooted in over a decade of clinical experience with individuals and families across healthcare, education, and crisis settings.
Christine earned her Post-Master’s Certificate in Veterinary Social Work from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work and is deeply committed to helping people navigate the emotional complexities of caregiving, anticipatory grief, and animal bereavement. Her work honors the profound connections we share with our animal companions.
Grief and Caregiver Support Counseling honors the profound attachment between you and your pet, offering empathetic, non-judgmental space to explore anticipatory grief, end-of-life decisions, quality-of-life concerns, and the emotional aftermath of loss. Drawing on evidence-based modalities and years of therapeutic experience, Christine offers individualized guidance to help caregivers navigate this uniquely painful process—with dignity, compassion, and hope for transition and healing.
What to Expect
- A calm, non-judgmental space to talk
- Practical support for decision-making and next steps
- Tools for coping with guilt, anxiety, and waves of grief
- Guidance to honor your pet’s life and your bond
What to Expect
- A calm, non-judgmental space to talk
- Practical support for decision-making and next steps
- Tools for coping with guilt, anxiety, and waves of grief
- Guidance to honor your pet’s life and your bond
Offerings & Pricing
All sessions are 60 minutes. Virtual appointments available.
Initial Counseling Session (60 min) – $199
A focused session to establish needs, discuss grief (before, during, and after a loss), and plan next steps.
À la Carte Session (60 min) – $175
For one-off or additional support sessions, as needed. You must have already had at least one session with Christine to choose this type of session.
Caregiver Support Package (3-session bundle) – $520
Includes one initial intake + two follow-up sessions (60 min each), plus optional email check-in between sessions.
Comprehensive Grief & Bereavement Package (5 sessions) – $840
Covers the full arc of anticipatory grief, end-of-life decision support, and post-loss bereavement, including a final session for closure planning.
Additional Resources
Helpful Tool for Decision-Making
Take our Quality of Life Quiz
If you’re weighing end-of-life decisions, the Paws at Peace Quality of Life Scale can help you think through these decisions. You can even share the results with your veterinarian if you provide their email address.
How to know when it’s time
Feeling torn and waiting for a “sign”? This compassionate guide reframes the question, showing how to choose a peaceful goodbye before the “cliff,” with simple holistic quality-of-life checks and ideas to make your pet’s last days truly beautiful.
Pet Loss Support Groups
Animal Medical Center Pet Loss Support
Animal Medical Center hosts two support groups: one for people who have experienced the loss of a pet in the last 3 months, and another for people who have experienced the loss of their pet in the last 4-12 months and beyond. Each group meets twice a month. Both groups are free and open to the public but space is limited. For more information and to register, visit them online.
Pet Loss Support Group with Dr. Susan Cohen
This support group is run by Dr. Susan Cohen, DSW, and meets on the second Wednesday of each month at West Village Veterinary Hospital. For more information or to register, email Dr. Cohen at susanpcohen@msn.com or call West Village Veterinary Hospital at 212-633-7400.
Other Resources
Lauren Seeley, Death Doula
Lauren is an end-of-life care provider for both humans and pets. She helps with planning for the next transition in your beloved pet’s life as well as grief support. She does home visits and virtual care and can be present on the days you feel will be the hardest during, before, and after the transition. She offers comfort and resources to navigate during this time and holds space for feelings that come up. The best way to reach Lauren is by email at laurenseeley81@gmail.com.
Reddit: r/petloss
r/petloss is a community of support for pet owners whose pets have passed away.