Pet Loss Support
Companioning a beloved animal through old age, sickness, or death is not something we are meant to bear alone.
We can be kind, strong, intelligent, and resourceful people and still need support from others at times—that’s just how we’re built. And this is one of those times.
Realizing your companion animal is nearing the end of their life, receiving a difficult diagnosis, making treatment decisions, or facing the reality of euthanasia can be shattering. And after they are gone, the grief that follows can feel overwhelming, disorienting, lonely, and difficult for others to fully understand.
The loss of a beloved animal companion is profound. These relationships are often among the deepest and most unconditional bonds we experience in our lives. Having another human to walk alongside you through that grief can be deeply important.
I am here to do just that.
Every person and every animal is a unique expression of life. Whether you are facing difficult decisions, struggling with guilt, carrying traumatic aspects of loss or euthanasia, or simply trying to find your footing in a world that feels changed without them, therapy can offer a place for your grief to be witnessed, understood, and compassionately held.
I am a licensed therapist with specialized training in the human–animal bond, including work in the Veterinary Social Services department at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, where I supported people through end-of-life decision-making, euthanasia support, and pet loss grief and bereavement counseling.
My work is also informed by training in grief and bereavement, trauma-informed care, mindfulness-based and somatic approaches, and sensorimotor approaches to trauma treatment.
I come to this work honestly. Some of the deepest and most meaningful relationships of my life have been with my beloved animals. Like you, I have also experienced the heartbreak of losing them. I am here to offer support, understanding, and companionship as you move through this grief.
— Lisa Havelin, MA, MFA, LMFT