Veterinary Social Work

A veterinary social worker focuses on the emotional needs of pet owners. They understand that a pet is a member of your family, and are here to support you with:

• Emotional support
• Pet grief counseling and bereavement support
• Guidance in pet care decision making including hospice care and euthanasia
• Education on the emotional components of pet care
• Referrals and resources

How can a veterinary social worker help me?

We understand that navigating the complex decisions surrounding your pet's medical care can feel overwhelming and stressful at times, and we are all here to support you through each step with compassion and clarity. Especially when one must face the death of a pet, the sense of grief can be profound. Our veterinary social worker is here to support you by offering guidance and help in:

• Facilitating your decision making by helping you understand your options and needs
• Providing emotional support during a hospital stay
• Being a compassionate presence during euthanasia
• Following up with you either in person or via phone to provide support and coping strategies
• Directing you to community services for longer-term assistance
• Connecting you to groups such as our Pet Loss Support Group and Pet Cancer Caregiver Support Group

Our veterinary social worker serves alongside our medical team to provide additional, compassionate support to pet owners during challenging times.