Pet Loss Grief & The Importance of Community with Dr. Sarah Hoggan

In this live Q&A session, Jasper founder and CEO Britta sits down with Dr. Sarah Hoggan—emergency veterinarian, chief veterinary officer at Jasper, and two-time TEDx speaker on pet loss—to talk candidly about the hardest decisions we face as pet parents: euthanasia, anticipatory grief, and what healing can look like.

Dr. Hoggan explains why euthanasia—when suffering can’t be relieved—is an act of mercy and the ultimate expression of love. She offers practical, compassionate guidance for:
• Coping with guilt, doubt, and “protector” conflict
• Recognizing quality-of-life signals (from pain to breathing struggles to losing joy in “the big three”)
• When “a good day” can be the right day
• Reframing distressing last moments and why speaking out loud helps stop the mental replay
• Navigating sedation side effects and what your pet may still perceive
• Handling plans that don’t go as planned (and giving yourself grace)
• Dreams, signs, and the normalcy of seeing/hearing traces of your pet

You’ll also hear powerful metaphors and stories—like building a “love library” in your heart where every animal has a book, why hope can be addictive and grief paralytic, and the reminder to retire the shaming word “should.” This conversation validates pet loss as real, lifelong grief—and offers language, rituals, and perspective to carry love forward.

Join the community here: https://go.jaspergrief.com/YT

Highlights:
• Euthanasia as mercy and altruism
• The “big three” quality-of-life check
• When sedation causes panting or “excitement phase”
• Talking out loud to your pet (why it helps)
• Dreams, signs, and normal grief physiology
• The Love Library metaphor for bonding again
• Community, validation, and giving yourself grace
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and why Jasper exists
06:30 Dr. Hoggan’s calling to vet med
11:20 Why pet loss needs public conversation
15:22 Coping with guilt around euthanasia
18:05 Quality-of-life barometers
22:36 “Good day” decisions
25:58 Reliving the last minutes: how to reframe
32:57 When plans change and ER goodbyes
34:54 Sedation, panting, and perception
46:12 Bonding after loss: the Love Library
55:23 Dreams and signs: what’s normal
1:10:49 The biggest misconception about pet loss
1:17:46 Hope vs. grief—and giving yourself grace

About Dr. Sarah Hoggan:
Emergency veterinarian and CVO at Jasper; expert in the psychology of pet loss and a two-time TEDx speaker helping families translate medicine, navigate end-of-life decisions, and honor the bonds that never end.

About Jasper:
Jasper is building the home for grief—a supportive community, live sessions, and resources for anyone navigating pet loss.

💭 Grieving the loss of a pet can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Your feelings are valid. Speak it out loud. Build your Love Library. And give yourself grace.
💫 Join the Jasper Community to get the support, resources, and compassion you need.
👉 community.jaspergrief.com

Watch Dr. Hoggan's TedX talks:
Pet Loss Grief: The Pain Explained:    • Pet loss grief; the pain explained  | Sara...  
The Emotional Cost of Euthanasia:    • The emotional costs of euthanasia | Sarah ...