ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Grief can be an isolating experience for some people but, what many may not realize is that feeling can also include a pet's loss. A Cornell University's Hospital for Animals representative talks about a new virtual support group for grieving pet owners.

Cornell University's Hospital for Animals' first veterinary social worker, Stephanie Coco, launched a monthly online support group back in November for clients who have recently lost a pet that received care through the hospital.

So far, Coco says the group's monthly Zoom has met three times and has allowed people to connect and open up to one another about their losses. The meetings last for just over an hour and clients of the hospital need to RSVP ahead of time.

The meetings were designed to be low-pressure and low-commitment. Attendees can set early ground rules within the group and share as much as they'd like about their pet and their situation. Coco adds that some people have shared photos of their pets as well. Others have also just sat back to feel supported and listened to coping strategies shared by facilitators.

Some of CUHA's clients traveled hours with their furry friends in the past to receive care, Coco says. So, the group was started online to be accessible to people in the Ithaca/Tompkins County area and beyond. For the first month or two after the loss of a pet, CUHA will send invites to grieving clients for the meeting to let them know they aren't alone and help is there if they want or need it.

"Because there is, I think, a fear of judgment," said Stephanie Coco, a veterinary social worker with Cornell University's Hospital for Animals. "Not everyone, especially if they're not an animal person, might understand what someone's going through when they've lost a pet. They come to this place, they know that's what we're all about and we welcome them to express their emotions, share their struggles, come together in the group. So watching members of the group support one another too has been really rewarding."

In a prepared statement, Cheryl Balkman, the section chief of oncology at CUHA, added that learning how to properly support grieving pet owners is beneficial to veterinarians, students, staff, and hospital administration.

Balkman's statement says, "Although we all still provide this support to families, we realized that families would benefit from additional support with someone who is not only trained specifically in this area but has the ability to give them the time that is needed to comfort them.”

At this time, the group is only open to clients of CUHA. However, Coco says she hopes to expand the program to the greater community at some point in the future.

To RSVP for a future meeting, you can reach out to Stephanie Coco by emailing cuhasw@cornell.edu.

For those who are not clients and are seeking help while dealing with the loss of a pet, a list of local and national resources can be found on the Cornell University Hospital for Animals website.

Pet owners grieving a loss are also encouraged to call CUHA's Pet Loss Support Line, even if they are not clients of the hospital. That number is 607-218-7457. CUHA says the hotline is available on Google Voice to support you Monday through Friday from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and Saturday through Sunday from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.