Margaret Hughes Therapy - Pet Loss Grief Counselor - Nationwide
I am a lifelong animal lover. I have personally experienced the highs and lows of parenting animals. The animals we bring into our lives are our family members. I can say that living with a pet who has a chronic illness or has died brings some of the strongest stress and grief that we humans experience. The pain is real, and the loss is valid.
We experience everyday joys like eye contact, seeing them learn a new skill, and lots of snuggle time. There are challenges like when they don’t behave well or when they wake up in the middle of the night.
But when our furry, feathery, scaly, finned, (or otherwise) family member gets an ailment, we can experience a deeper level of emotions. If our pet has a chronic illness that is life-limiting, we go from being a loving companion to primary caregiver. Professionally speaking, when illness hits, vague feelings of grief and loss often begin.
There’s a special kind of exhaustion that comes with caring for a sick animal. There’s a special type of grief when we are the ones who decide it’s time to call the euthanasia doctor. And there’s a special kind of grief when our animal family members die.
The grief can be overwhelming, and it can feel isolating – people sometimes worry about admitting their grief for animals; they may feel shame or fear judgment from others. These worries are normal, and so is your grief!
I support people who are in any of the stages described above – whether you are caring for an animal who is sick or in recovery, if your pet is on hospice, or if you have experienced the loss of your pet. I provide compassionate and professional grief and pet-loss therapy.
If you’re not sure what your thoughts are, just reach out and we will talk through whether therapy is right for you at this time.
- Licensed
- Certified
- Insured
- Online Sessions
Pricing Packages
How do you serve precious pets?
- Pet Loss Grief Counselor
- Pet Bereavement
- Pet Loss Support
How do you help pet parents honor the lives of their pets and cope with difficult loss?
- Pet Loss Grief Counseling
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)
On a scale of snail to elephant, what size animals do you work with?
- 20-39 lbs
- 40-79 lbs
- 80+ lbs
- under 20 lbs
Do you offer mobile services?
- No
Education
Master's Degree
Which part of the country do you serve pets?
Texas and Minnesota
What year did you begin serving pets?
I have been serving humans who have lost pets since 2011.
This pet loss grief counselor listing in austin, tx has been paused or closed.
Distinction
How do you serve precious pets?
- Pet Loss Grief Counselor
- Pet Bereavement
- Pet Loss Support
How do you help pet parents honor the lives of their pets and cope with difficult loss?
- Pet Loss Grief Counseling
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)
On a scale of snail to elephant, what size animals do you work with?
- 20-39 lbs
- 40-79 lbs
- 80+ lbs
- under 20 lbs
Do you offer mobile services?
- No
Education
Master's Degree
Which part of the country do you serve pets?
Texas and Minnesota
What year did you begin serving pets?
I have been serving humans who have lost pets since 2011.
💙 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.
Margaret Hughes 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, Margaret 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 Austin, TX, Margaret Hughes serves pet parents nationwide, and also works with clients in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Kyle, Leander, Buda, Taylor, Hutto, Manor and throughout Travis County.
🦔 How do I book a session with Margaret Hughes?
Booking is simple and handled entirely through PetWorks. Visit Margaret'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 Margaret . 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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