Grief Relief at Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists

Free Virtual Pet Loss Support Group

Grief Relief at Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists

At Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists, we know that the grief you feel after losing a beloved pet is profound, and we believe your loss is valid and real. We also know that healing is possible. Even as you honor and remember your fur baby, you can continue your connection and love, and live a meaningful life.


Pet loss grief is often misunderstood, minimized, or disenfranchised by society. Many people are told to “be strong,” “move on,” or “get another pet.” At VCVS, we understand this pain because we live it too. We all love our pets and yours fiercely. They are our babies, our companions, and our family. When they die, the grief can feel overwhelming, isolating, and like a part of ourselves has been lost. No one should have to carry that alone.


That is why we created Grief Relief, a compassionate support group that normalizes pet loss and grief, providing a safe space to feel, process, and heal. This group helps participants connect with others who understand, share stories, learn coping strategies, and honor the life and love of their pets.


Why Grief Relief is Unique

Grief Relief is a pet-loss focused support group that combines compassionate peer connection with grief support designed specifically for pet loss.


The group includes:

  • Psychoeducation tailored to pet loss and disenfranchised grief – understanding why this grief is real, complex, and often overlooked
  • Practical coping tools for everyday life – techniques for managing grief waves, guilt, anniversaries, and unexpected triggers
  • Memorialization practices that honor the bond – creating meaningful remembrance and carrying the love forward
  • Peer-centered connection – sharing stories and listening to others who are also grieving, reducing isolation and providing hope



This approach recognizes that healing is not about moving on, but about learning how to carry love and loss together.


Meet Your Facilitators


  • Alexa Bell, LCSW
  • Olivia Van Den Heuvel, MSW Candidate
  • Katherine Johnson, LPC-A



Our facilitators are compassionate mental health professionals who specialize in grief support and emotional wellness. Together, they create a safe, inclusive space for reflection, connection, and healing.


Olivia Van Den Heuvel, MSW Student

Hi, I’m Liv! I love working with both humans and animals, and I’m passionate about helping them heal and thrive. I earned my undergraduate degree in Sociology with a minor in Global Studies through Carroll University and Freie Universität Berlin, where I developed a deep appreciation for human connection, resilience, and loss.


I’ve spent the past six years working in behavioral and mental health at Rogers Behavioral Health and later with a psychiatric team at UT Health San Antonio, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. These experiences showed me how deeply unprocessed grief can affect us and how meaningful healing can be when people are supported through it.


I am currently completing my MSW at the University of Texas at Arlington while working as a mental health advocate at Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists. I am here for you if you are grieving and need a space where your loss, love, and bond are understood. I believe grief is a natural response to deep connection, and my work centers on supporting healthy grieving, integrating loss into meaningful daily life, and continuing the connection and love with those who have passed.

Alexa Bell, LCSW

Hi, Im Alexa! My path into social work began when I saw how meaningful it can be to have someone simply listen and show up during hard times. I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word and my MSW from UT San Antonio, where I focused on cultural humility and social justice—values that continue to shape my work every day.


I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at UT San Antonio’s rapid-access mental health clinic, where I support people healing from PTSD using evidence-based trauma therapies.


As a proud cat mom to Maxwell and Rocky, I know how deeply animals shape our lives. That bond inspired me to help create the Grief Relief Pet Loss Support Group, a space to honor and heal through shared love and loss.

Katherine Johnson, LPC Associate

My passion for understanding people and what shapes their experiences led me to earn my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Texas A&M–Corpus Christi and my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UT San Antonio.


I provide psychotherapy at the Transitional Care and N.O.W. Clinics, supporting adults and youth through a wide range of mental health challenges. My approach blends CBT, CPT, WET, and DBT-informed techniques to foster a safe, compassionate space for healing and growth.


As a lifelong animal lover and cat mom to Binx, I bring that same empathy to the Grief Relief Pet Loss Support Group, helping others find comfort, connection, and healing through shared understanding.



Losing a beloved pet can be one of life’s most profound and difficult experiences.


Our Grief Relief Support Group offers a safe, compassionate space to share memories, process grief, and connect with others who understand.

Our Mission


To provide a compassionate, inclusive, and safe space for individuals grieving the loss of their beloved pets. 


Our mission is to foster healing and grief relief through shared connection, understanding, and community support.

Our Values


  1. Compassion: We foster a safe, empathetic environment where grieving pet owners can share and process their loss without judgment.
  2. Inclusivity: Our group welcomes individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences of pet loss.
  3. Support & Connection: We value peer support and genuine understanding,recognizing that every grief journey is personal and unique.
  4. Confidentiality: What is shared in the group stays within the group. We prioritize and protect each participant’s privacy.
  5. Respect: We honor each person’s grief journey, holding space for different experiences, emotions, and healing processes

What to Expect


Intimate Group Sessions (First Wednesday & most Third Wednesdays)


  1. Welcome & Group Norms
  2. Brief educational topic on grief or coping
  3. Group discussion & sharing
  4. “Takeaway Nugget” — one reflection or tool to carry forward

Larger Group Sessions (Occasionally Third Wednesday)


  1. Welcome & Group Norms
  2. Psychoeducation topic on grief and healing
  3. Group discussion
  4. Closing reflections

Participation Guidelines

Attendance


  • RSVP required via olivia@violetcrownvet.com
  • Group capped at 20 (ideal 5–10 participants)

Respectful Communication


  • Listen actively and without judgment
  • Use “I” statements when sharing
  • Avoid advice-giving or critique

Confidentiality


  • What’s shared in the group stays in the group
  • Recording without consent is prohibited

Behavior Expectations


  • No hate speech or discrimination
  • Offer content warnings for sensitive topics
  • Stay present and minimize distractions

Support & Self-Care


  • Participate at your comfort level
  • Take breaks as needed
  • Reach out to facilitators for follow-up or resources

Children & Teens


  • Open to minors with parental consent
  • Caregivers must provide supervision and support
  • Consent form required acknowledging the group is not therapy

Continuing Support


Participants may contact the facilitators after sessions for follow-up or additional resources.


Supplemental materials, readings, and community resources are periodically shared to help support healing between sessions.

Who Can Attend?

This group is open to anyone navigating the loss of a beloved companion animal — whether the loss is recent or from years past.


You don’t need to be a VCVS client to attend. All pet owners are welcome.

When and Where?

First Wednesday: Intimate group session (limited attendance for deeper connection)

Third Wednesday


Time: 6:00–7:15 PM CST

Location: Online via secure Zoom Link

Cost: Free

How to Join

Participation is free, but registration is required.


Simply click the button below to complete the short registration form and reserve your spot.

A Living Memorial for a Lasting Bond

We proudly partner with Let Your Love Grow to offer families a gentle, meaningful way to honor their pet.


Through this program, a portion of your pet’s cremated remains is transformed into memorial soil, allowing you to plant something living in their memory—a lasting symbol of love, growth, and remembrance.

About VCVS

At Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists, we believe that caring for animals also means caring for the people who love them.


Through compassionate care and community programs like Grief Relief, our team supports families at every stage of their pet’s journey — from treatment to remembrance.