“This group is a community of people who are prepared to listen and share. The members have helped me carry on with the healing process. There is the opportunity to share my story with people who are on a similar journey - a group of people who can provide a sympathetic and empathetic ear. I've found healing not just in being in a safe space to share and express my grief, but in being able to hear other people's stories as well. The kindness and companionship of people who ‘get it’ is invaluable.

Seeing that the depth of grief others were feeling was similar to my own made me feel less alone and gave me permission to own it. Talking with others and having them offer support and advice has made me feel much better emotionally.

I know that it can feel like a big step to join a group. It is. The prospect of displaying your grief and maybe breaking down in front of strangers is daunting. Please bear in mind there is no judgement here, only compassion for the grief you're feeling. We have all been through similar experiences.”

“Words cannot express my gratitude for this wonderful group and I’m truly grateful I found it. It's so supportive, helpful, kind and compassionate. Sharing with and listening to like-minded people who really understand is so helpful. It’s helping me navigate this difficult time, and it means more than you'll ever know.

When I lost my cat, Lucy, I was heartbroken. I searched the internet for support, but I couldn't find anything appropriate until I found this Pet Loss Support Group. Thank God I did. It has really helped me through the last 7 weeks. I needed to be in the company of people who understood. I needed empathy and compassion and kindness and I get all that. It's a beautiful safe, supportive space to share how you're feeling and what's happening for you at whatever stage of your pet grief you're at.

We're all grieving together and support each other with the utmost respect and compassion. Sonia is just an incredible human being who holds the space for us beautifully and supports us all in such a unique way.

If you're hesitating about joining us, please don't. We would love to hear all about your pet. You are not alone. We are all on this journey together.”

“I found the Pet Loss Support Group online, and it's a gem!!! I just love it!! It's a very comfortable, supportive, and lovely, friendly group.

When I lost my beautiful 14-year-old Labradoodle, the pain, emptiness, loneliness, and lack of understanding from people were overwhelming. I’ve not been the same person since that day Pippa went to sleep. I was broken and didn’t know which way to turn and who to turn to for support.

The group is giving me the space to finally start the healing process in a caring and supportive environment, which I have been missing out on since I first lost Pippa. It's a much-needed group in my healing journey because the people here 'get it'. It really helps to listen to others experiences and realise others loved they’re pets as much as I love my Pippa, and that I'm not alone in my pet loss grief.

If you're struggling with a recent pet loss, or like me, for a longer time, the care and support given is the same. I was a little nervous when joining the group and was sure I wouldn’t speak. However, I was so grateful to be given an outlet and opportunity to speak about my grief over Pippa. We're made to feel comfortable and supported, not rushed. I look forward to the weekly groups and even if I feel like not speaking, just listening is also a nice thing to do.

Whether you lost a pet recently, or a long time ago, like me, we're all treated the same, with compassion and understanding. Don’t suffer with your grief alone. Join us, it’s your grief, but we can share it with you.”

"The group is excellent. Reach out, as you will be welcomed with open arms and you will be heard, understood, and cared about. Everyone is in the same boat, everyone understands, and we can help each other cope.

I felt desperate and wondered how I could even survive without Holly by my side. I'm alone and utterly devastated and need help to cope without Holly. She wasn't just a dog, she was everything to me after a really hard life with very little support. I feel now I must take it one hour at a time, one day at a time, and reach out to the group for help and understanding.

Sonia does a fantastic job with the group. We are very blessed to have her help and understanding. She is sensitive, intelligent, kind, supportive, welcoming, understanding, and lovely. She made me feel very safe, heard, and cared about. She also emails and remembers everyone's story, their pets' names, asks how we are. I see it all, and as someone desperately alone with no one here to help me, this help is invaluable.

David is sensitive and kind and always has a phrase, a smile, or a story, words of wisdom to help."

“Before joining this lovely group, I felt utterly broken and thought I was never going to cope; now I feel empowered to mend those pieces.

I struggled when I lost Bryndis and realised there was nothing out there to share the grief with until I came upon this group. I just wanted to talk to people who 'get it'. This group has enabled me to deal with my grief; pet grief is so disenfranchised and lots of people simply do not understand it.

I found it comforting to be in an accepting environment where my grief was 'ok'. I find conversations around guilt very helpful and just the constant reminder to be kind to yourself is so valuable! It's such a lovely group. It's a space to share your grief, memories, laugh and cry together.

If you need support and are thinking of joining the group, I'd say, go for it! Please join us! This is such a diverse group of people united by grief, and the tolerance and acceptance are outstanding.”

“The group has helped me come to terms with Bear's passing and given me comfort and support when I was at my absolute lowest point.

In the early stages of my grief, it was very reassuring to know that this group was there for me. Also, knowing that there were people who understood what I was going through was a massive help. Feeling I had a space to express my feelings without being judged was also extremely important.

Now I feel much better than I thought I ever would or could after Bear passed. You'll be very glad you joined. Just hearing other people's stories and knowing you're not alone is so very helpful.”

“Before I joined the group, I was hopelessly lost, in despair, absolutely miserable. While I'm still grieving, I can look forward to our group meetings where I feel free to be completely me, even if I still am lost, in despair, and miserable. The group understands me. We share our sorrows. There's no doubt that being in the group has helped me feel ok about myself and trust that I will feel a little better every day.

Sonia's devotion to those who are suffering from pet loss is boundless. I've participated in many other pet loss support groups and have never found a more welcoming atmosphere. Please join us and be amazed at the love and compassion you will experience!

The group has helped me understand that I can be sad about losing my pet, but ok about other parts of my life. We learn to be grateful for the unconditional love we received from our precious pets, and we cope with the loss as best we can.

The group has helped me to express my grief. I hear how others have learned to cope and adjust. I use their tools to help me deal with my loss. Knowing I have a "place" to go where my tears are not judged, where the ways I grieve are accepted as OK, where I can speak of my pet with others who totally understand, takes a huge weight off my shoulders.

I don't have to pretend to be all right in front of these compassionate people. I can grieve openly, and that gives me great comfort. I'm not crazy. I'm someone who lost their soul mate and is suffering.”

“Before joining the group, I felt sad and guilty. Now I feel less sad and guilty. Listening to other people’s experiences has also normalised my own experience. It was also helpful to share thoughts and beliefs about the afterlife with others.

I would advise anyone thinking of joining the group to take the brave step and join, even if it is only to listen.

Thank you for continuing to host these groups, they really are valuable and of much help.”

“Being a part of this group has really helped me by hearing we are not alone in this journey and being among like-minded pet parents.

I joined the group because I wanted to be part of a group where I could listen to others and be around people who could relate to what had happened.

Honestly, every session I have attended has been beneficial. Sharing photos of our beloved pets is always very special.

For anyone thinking of joining the group, try to be brave. The group really has lovely members and is a safe space.”

“This group has been exceptionally friendly and supportive. It's definitely good to know that there are very loving and caring people out there who are willing to reach out to others to run a group like this.

I lost my beloved cat of 17 years. She was the first pet I could call my own, and it's the first time I've ever had to make the decision to let a pet go. In the last several years, I have lost other people in my life, and bereavement support has been beneficial for this.

The loss of Phoebe was very significant for me, so I needed some support for my grief. I wanted to share the experience I had with Phoebe both in her life and also after her passing, and also hear the experiences of others.

If you're thinking of joining the group, you'll absolutely be heard and given a space to say how you feel.”

“The group has helped me cope with the loss of Teddy by listening to me speak about him. I feel like it’s a safe place to let my feelings out. I can cry, smile, and sympathize with others as well. I don’t have to push away my feelings or act like he was “just a dog”. He was my whole world and talking about him helps keep his memory alive. People in the outside world just don’t understand the depths of what his loss meant to me and how much it has affected me.

Before joining the group, I felt extremely lonely. I was withdrawing from others because I felt like no one understood my pain. I would finish my workday and then sit in my car and just cry my heart out. I felt extremely guilty and sad. I still feel really sad, but having a place like this that helps me process my feelings really helps. Even though my time with Teddy was cut extremely short, I’m so grateful for the time I did get with him.

I would tell anyone to highly consider joining a group like this because you’re never pressured to talk about what happened, but if you do, it can bring comfort. Hearing other people’s stories is a testament to how deep our bonds are with our pets and how that love never dies, it just transforms.”

“It is so sad that some people around you don’t understand how painful it can be to lose your pet who is like a family member, because for some people, it's just a pet. I was feeling alone, but in this group, everyone has the same pain, so you can support each other and your sadness means a lot to them.

After Minik's death, I'm having too many regrets, but the group made me feel less guilty. Now, I'm feeling much better as everyone is glad to hear your journey and I can talk freely about my pet.

If you're having the same loss, do not hesitate to join this group because everyone listens to your journey without judging. Also, it makes you feel better to talk about your beloved pet."

“I was going through a very rough time and the group really helped me release some of the pain I had inside and feel understood.

I recommend joining the group. It was helpful and a warm space that felt safe to talk about what our pets and their loss meant to us.

Just give it a try, you don't need to talk right away if you don't feel like it, you can just listen and share your own story if and when you feel like it. Sonia is very caring and respectful.”

“In the beginning, I was completely lost and struggling with the loss. I attended the group regularly, and it really helped to share my story, hear others' stories, and listen to what others were going through.

With my story, there's been a tremendous amount of guilt. I've understood from the group that guilt can be a big part of loss. The group members are very insightful and supportive, and can help you to look at situations in a different way. They are also good at pinpointing what may be the helpful 'next steps' to help you with whatever you're feeling.

It's a very vulnerable but safe environment, which Sonia helps to promote, so I felt comfortable being open, and so did the other members. I think the group was reassuring to know that what you're feeling is perfectly normal.

I'm feeling stronger now and have a clearer mind with the help of the group. Although the grief still comes in waves and I'm still very much in the thick of it, the group has helped to give me a 'tool kit' that I didn't have before and helped me to know I'm not 'abnormal' for feeling the way I do.

You should definitely join this supportive and friendly group. Everyone in the group has been through the loss of a beloved pet and so can help, empathise and resonate with you.”

“I was very down, but Sonia was there to help pull me back up and for that, I am very grateful. She was there right when I needed her most. Not once but twice. It’s always nice to hear encouragement when you are down and still mourning over your loved ones.

The work Sonia and the group do for grieving pet owners is truly special, and it makes such a big difference. I thank them for being there when a lost soul needed them the most.

If you're thinking about joining the group but feel unsure or hesitant, I’d encourage you to take the leap. This group offers a supportive community where you can connect with others who share similar experiences and interests in pet care. Whether you’re looking for advice, guidance, or simply to be part of a network of like-minded individuals, you'll find a wealth of knowledge and understanding here.

Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. The group is welcoming, and there’s no better time than now to get involved and start learning from others and sharing your insights.”

“This group is amazing! To anyone thinking of joining the group, I would say, definitely do it! Being part of the Pet Loss Support Group has changed my grief process.

I joined the group because I wanted to know I wasn't the only one to lose a pet and feel lost. Before joining the group, I was nervous and heartbroken, but now I feel I am getting better and able to talk about Max happily.

Just talking about my baby boy has really helped, and so has the advice I received from the group.”

“It was really nice talking to you yesterday. I felt I poured a lot out which was much needed.

Thank you for attaching the resources. I have already taken a look at one of them, and will continue to, as time goes by. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Thank you!! After a day, I still feel it was actually helpful. Thank you for initiating and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Thank you again for organising the group and the meditation, I really enjoyed doing a little mental journey.”

“I’m so grateful I got to talk about it. I feel very much better now.”