Modeled after the pet loss hotline at the University of California, Davis, the Tufts University Pet Loss Support hotline began as the initiative of former veterinary student Tammy Pierce V'97. Since its inception in January 1996, over 100 veterinary students have served on the hotline. Every staff member participates in extensive training sessions with a licensed psychologist, learning about the process of grieving and how people react to the loss of pets.

We realize our duty is not to make people forget about their problems or make pain or guilt disappear. Our goal is to help people work through their grief and get through a difficult time. We know the special bonds people have with their animals, and owners appreciate being able to talk with individuals who share their compassion for animals and who understand the impact of their loss.

Callers speak one-on-one with one of our trained staff members for as long as they wish. There is no formula for any conversation. Our staff members listen to callers as individuals, realizing that no two callers are alike and that everyone's situation will be different. The hotline staff member may also offer to send a personalized packet of information to the caller as a supplement to the conversation. These packets contain articles and book lists tailored to what the hotline staff member thinks would be most appropriate for the caller.

Ultimately, we'd like to leave callers with the knowledge that they are not alone, and that they are not silly or ridiculous for having strong feelings over the loss of their pets. Having to say goodbye to a good friend should be handled with as much compassion and understanding as possible. That is the kind of support we hope to offer.

To learn more, please read our brochure.