Psychological Support Group for People Grieving the Loss of a Pet: Pet Owners’ Perspectives

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.14922

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Published: May 15, 2026
Issue: Vol. 43 No. 3 (2025)
Section Artículos


Keywords: grief pet loss group therapy psychology social support

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Authors

  Amanda Fernandes Rodrigues Alves
Universidade de São Paulo (Brasil)
  Fabio Scorsolini-Comin
Universidade de São Paulo (Brasil)

Abstract

This study aims to understand the repercussions of an online group intervention for bereaved pet owners grieving the loss of their companion animals. Seven open group meetings were conducted, with the participation of 28 individuals. After the meetings, 19 participants evaluated the group experience through individual interviews. The analysis was based on the phenomenological method of psychological investigation and on the Heideggerian theoretical framework. Three categories were developed: (1) feelings of acceptance and validation, highlighting how the group provided an essential space for validating individual emotions and experiences; (2) resonances of the shared experience of grief, showing how the exchange of stories helped participants re-signify and reassess their grief; and (3) a sense of belonging and mutual support, emphasizing the importance of support and connection among group members. The online group model was considered important for providing a safe and enriching environment for the expression and understanding of grief, allowing for a deeper and more meaningful transformation in the coping process. This study contributes to the literature on grief and virtual interventions, especially in the context of pet loss. Recommendations for future studies were also presented.

How to Cite
Fernandes Rodrigues Alves, A., & Scorsolini-Comin, F. (2026). Psychological Support Group for People Grieving the Loss of a Pet: Pet Owners’ Perspectives. Avances En Psicología Latinoamericana, 43(3). https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.14922
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