Licensed Social Worker - Pet Grief Counseling - Nationwide

Verified Member since Aug 2026 Verified checkmark

Not every counselor understands the bond between human and pet. I have the unique position of experiencing a pet like a family member. I have been a pet owner for all my life and know what it's like to lose one unexpectedly, having to make the hard decision for your animal whether it medical or behavioral.

Sessions are offered through telehealth and center on supportive self-care, personalized coping tools, and mental wellness strategies. Using an integrative approach that honors the many dimensions of loss, I also provide guidance for caregiving and difficult decision-making related to aging pets or pets facing terminal illness.

I specialize in affordable, compassionate pet loss grief support for adult pet parents. Sessions offer a safe, caring space to share what you’re experiencing as you grieve the loss of your cherished animal companion and explore healthy coping strategies.

I am clinically licensed in South Dakota and Iowa. I am willing to walk with you through your grief journey with flexible weekend and evening appointments.

  • Licensed
  • Insured
  • Online Sessions

How do you serve precious pets?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counselor
  • Pet Bereavement
  • Pet Loss Support

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Alpacas
  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Chickens
  • Chinchillas
  • Dogs
  • Ducks
  • Ferrets
  • Fish
  • Frogs
  • Gerbils
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Lizards
  • Mice
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Snakes
  • Turtles

What licensing do you have?

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

What size animals do you work with?

  • 20-39 lbs
  • 40-79 lbs
  • 80+ lbs
  • under 20 lbs

How do you help pet parents honor the lives of their pets and cope with difficult loss?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counseling

Bonded and Insured

  • Insured

Proud member of...

  • Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)

Education

MSW

Which part of the country do you serve pets?

South Dakota and Iowa

What year did you begin serving pets?

2011

Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?

PetWorks Cancellation Policy Pet Care Professional's Own Policy If a pet care professional has published their own cancellation or refund policy, that policy governs the refund of the service amount only. Any PetWorks fees, including the Care Coverage Fee and Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee, are governed by this PetWorks Cancellation Policy and not by the pet care professional's policy. Pet Parent Cancels If the pet care professional has not published their own cancellation policy, the service amount is refundable only if the pet parent cancels at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time of the booking. Cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled start time are non-refundable for the service amount. The Care Coverage Fee is non-refundable when a pet parent cancels, regardless of timing and regardless of whether the pet care professional has their own cancellation policy. Pet Parent No-Show If a pet parent does not show up for a confirmed booking, no refund will be issued for the service amount or the Care Coverage Fee. Pet Care Professional Cancels If a pet care professional cancels a confirmed booking, the pet parent receives a 100% refund of everything they paid, including the Care Coverage Fee. The pet care professional receives no payment for the canceled service and is charged a Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee equal to 10% of the service amount, up to a maximum of $150. PetWorks may collect this fee by deducting it from a future payout through PetWorks or by other means if no future payout is available. Policy in Effect at Booking The cancellation rules that apply to a booking, including any pet care professional cancellation policy on file and the Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee rate, are those that were in effect when the booking was confirmed.
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cricket's crossing pet bereavement services, llc

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BASED IN Sioux Falls, SD

Distinction

Scheduling enabled badge Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

How do you serve precious pets?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counselor
  • Pet Bereavement
  • Pet Loss Support

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Alpacas
  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Chickens
  • Chinchillas
  • Dogs
  • Ducks
  • Ferrets
  • Fish
  • Frogs
  • Gerbils
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Lizards
  • Mice
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Snakes
  • Turtles

What licensing do you have?

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

What size animals do you work with?

  • 20-39 lbs
  • 40-79 lbs
  • 80+ lbs
  • under 20 lbs

How do you help pet parents honor the lives of their pets and cope with difficult loss?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counseling

Bonded and Insured

  • Insured

Proud member of...

  • Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)

Education

MSW

Which part of the country do you serve pets?

South Dakota and Iowa

What year did you begin serving pets?

2011

Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?

PetWorks Cancellation Policy Pet Care Professional's Own Policy If a pet care professional has published their own cancellation or refund policy, that policy governs the refund of the service amount only. Any PetWorks fees, including the Care Coverage Fee and Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee, are governed by this PetWorks Cancellation Policy and not by the pet care professional's policy. Pet Parent Cancels If the pet care professional has not published their own cancellation policy, the service amount is refundable only if the pet parent cancels at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time of the booking. Cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled start time are non-refundable for the service amount. The Care Coverage Fee is non-refundable when a pet parent cancels, regardless of timing and regardless of whether the pet care professional has their own cancellation policy. Pet Parent No-Show If a pet parent does not show up for a confirmed booking, no refund will be issued for the service amount or the Care Coverage Fee. Pet Care Professional Cancels If a pet care professional cancels a confirmed booking, the pet parent receives a 100% refund of everything they paid, including the Care Coverage Fee. The pet care professional receives no payment for the canceled service and is charged a Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee equal to 10% of the service amount, up to a maximum of $150. PetWorks may collect this fee by deducting it from a future payout through PetWorks or by other means if no future payout is available. Policy in Effect at Booking The cancellation rules that apply to a booking, including any pet care professional cancellation policy on file and the Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee rate, are those that were in effect when the booking was confirmed.

💙 You don't have to carry this alone.


The loss of a pet can stop your world. The house feels quieter. You reach for them out of habit and they're not there. Grief like this is real — and it deserves real support.


Melissa Renes provides compassionate, one-on-one pet loss grief counseling to help you process grief, navigate difficult emotions, and find peace after losing a pet you loved. Whether your loss is recent or happened years ago, Melissa offers a safe, judgment-free space to share memories, work through feelings of sadness, guilt, or anger, and develop coping strategies tailored to your unique situation.


Sessions are conducted online, so you can reach out from anywhere — whenever you're ready. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Melissa Renes serves pet parents nationwide, and also works with clients in Harrisburg, Brandon, Tea, Hartford, Dell Rapids, Lennox, Baltic, Garretson, Canton, Parker and throughout Minnehaha County.


🦔 How do I book a session with Melissa Renes?


Booking is simple and handled entirely through PetWorks. Visit Melissa's profile, review credentials and client feedback, and use 'Book Now' or 'Get Custom Quote' or 'Send Message' to initiate a conversation and request a booking with Melissa . You'll only pay when you book, and payment is handled securely — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Affirm, Link, or Klarna. Care Coverage at checkout gives you access to PetWorks' live Concierge team, full refunds if a booking is canceled through no fault of yours, and help resolving any booking issues — so the only thing you need to focus on is your healing.


What is PetWorks Care Coverage?


PetWorks Care Coverage is our satisfaction guarantee. If something isn't right with your session, we'll work to make it right — so you can focus on healing, not logistics.


💛 If you’re here, it likely means you’re carrying the weight of a loss that feels deeply personal and difficult to put into words. Grieving a pet is never simple, and there’s no “right” way to move through it—only your way, at your own pace. Working with a pet loss grief counselor can offer a steady, compassionate space to process what you’re feeling, honor the bond you shared, and begin finding moments of peace again. When you feel ready, support is here to meet you where you are, without judgment, pressure, or expectation—just understanding and care as you navigate this journey.

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