Pet Loss Grief Counseling

We all experience loss at various points in our lives. When we lose someone important to us, feelings of grief may be overbearing. Grief may leave us feeling sad, hopeless, isolated, irritable, angry, and/or numb, affecting us mentally, emotionally, behaviorally, and/or physically. It’s important to understand that healing from grief is a process that varies based on our individual needs and experiences.

Our pets' passings can be especially challenging experiences of loss. The death of your pet may be tragic, traumatic, or prepared for, and you may be feeling internal or external pressures to minimize your experiences of pet loss grief. Family members may also experience grieving the loss of your pet differently from one another. We will work together to process this disenfranchised grief by openly discussing your personal experience of pet loss.

In Pet Loss Grief Counseling we will:

Honor the memory of your pet and the role they played in your life
Understand your pet attachment style
Understand anticipatory and disenfranchised grief as it relates to pet loss
Reduce feelings of blame and guilt
Explore and process emotions
Improve coping skills
Make meaning after a loss
Identify and process any experienced traumas related to the death of your pet

Inner Arrow Counseling and Wellness is committed to the welfare of people and animals. When you engage in Pet Loss Grief Counseling, a portion of the session fees will be donated to a non-profit organization of your choosing from the list below:

Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge (RBARI)

Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. (RBARI), the leading no-kill animal shelter in Northern New Jersey, is dedicated to second chances by providing safe refuge and essential medical and behavioral care, along with new forever homes to New Jersey’s homeless and abused dogs and cats. Focusing on animals with the greatest need, RBARI is especially committed to those often rejected, including seniors, urgent medical cases, and surrenders. RBARI regularly pulls from local animal control facilities, thus placing an emphasis on “local first", allowing them to impact the rate of euthanasia as well as reduce the homeless population. RBARI also supports the community, assisting in animal welfare emergencies and working with partner organizations to provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for communities in need. They also work with our trap, neuter, and release (TNR) partners to help create a solution to overpopulation and stop the cycle of homelessness and abuse too many animals suffer.

The Henry Foundation For Dog Care

Dedicated to providing essential veterinary care for dogs in need, regardless of their owner's financial circumstances. Support helps fund medical treatments, preventative care, and emergency services for dogs, alleviating the financial burden for their owners. Their mission is to alleviate the financial burden of veterinary expenses through community outreach, education, and compassionate assistance, promoting the well-being of dogs and strengthening the human-animal bond. The Henry Foundation honors the memory of Henry, a beloved Golden Cocker Spaniel who brought joy and warmth to everyone he encountered.

Southern Paws

Southern Paws Inc. is a NJ based Non-Profit 501c3 organization that works very closely with southern rescue groups and shelters to provide needed homes for dogs in the southern United States. They also work to help them gain needed resources and funding that is strongly lacking in these areas. It is their goal to not only provide loving homes for these dogs but to also help better their sister shelters and shelter life in the Southern states. The majority of their profits go right back into the pockets of the southern shelters who need the most support. They are a team of people young and old who all believe in the same mission: to be a hope for the hopeless and a voice for the voiceless.

Making Meaning: The Story Behind Our Name "Inner Arrow"

My soul dog, Arrow, meant such a great deal to me. He had just entered my life when I was inspired to pursue my career as a professional counselor, and after losing him I recognized my readiness to start my own private practice. Arrow helped me when I encountered some of the most challenging stages of my own life- motivating me to keep going, to get out of bed to care, feed, and walk him, and lending his fur to cry into. His warm, strong, and steady presence made me feel safe and comforted. He informed my inner arrow, and I carry forward the lessons and love he gave me in my therapeutic approach.

Now I support others in finding their inner arrow: stepping into their most genuine selves, healing their emotional wounds, and empowering them to live more fulfilling lives. Naming my private practice in Arrow's memory was part of my grieving process, making meaning beyond Arrow's death after he filled my life with so much joy, comfort, and gratitude during his life.

In providing Pet Loss Grief Counseling, we hold space for you to process your attachment, memories, and grief in anticipation of and/or following the death of your beloved pets, and assist you in eventually making meaning of your loss. Helping people and animals as well as enriching the human-animal bond has always been at the core of my personal identity, and embracing this by simultaneously supporting partner non-profits focused on supporting pets and their people furthers this core value and mission.