In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked Jennifer Scanlon, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at VCA South Shore (Weymouth) Animal Hospital, five questions about her experience with helping VCA Associates and pet owners with their mental health, her own mental health and career experiences, and more.
- As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, how do you support mental health for pet owners experiencing loss and grief?
- What kind of support do you provide to VCA’s Associates also experiencing these mental health struggles within their everyday work life?
- What measures do you take to protect your mental health with the grief and struggle you personally might experience in your role?
- In what specific ways have you seen your profession positively affect pet parents and VCA’s Associates?
- Can you give an example of how VCA’s culture has helped support all that you take on in your daily role?
The loss of a pet is often not acknowledged in the same way as the loss of a human loved one, which can make the grieving process feel isolating. Many pet owners need to work through the loss of their beloved pets, and they benefit from speaking with someone who not only understands their feelings but also acknowledges their grief in a meaningful way, recognizing the profound emotions that accompany such a loss. I provide clients with resources to aid in their healing journey, ensuring they feel supported and not alone in their grief.
Being a human being is hard. Being a human being in veterinary medicine is a whole different landscape for a person’s mental health. The Associates I work with daily bravely face unique pressures and emotionally charged situations that affect their well-being. My social work office is a beacon of support, a safe environment where they can share their experiences and feel truly heard. I often engage in debriefing sessions after difficult cases, offering valuable resources like Lyra and Headspace to empower them in navigating mental health challenges in their everyday work life. We can only truly care for the animals and the people connected to them when we prioritize our own health and well-being.
Incorporating self-care practices like gratitude, mindfulness, and journaling has transformed my experience. I am also incredibly fortunate to be an integral part of the Health and Well-being team, a group that serves as my guiding light in navigating the complexities of my work. In addition to my professional network, I am grateful for the strong support from my family and friends. My husband provides unwavering strength, creating a nurturing foundation at home. Our lively 3-year-old daughter fills my days with laughter and joy while our playful 2-year-old cat, Meredith Grey, adds warmth and companionship to our loving household. Speaking with a Lyra therapist regularly has been incredibly valuable in navigating the emotions and challenges I face every day. It's empowering to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and recognize that seeking support is not just acceptable, it's essential. As a social worker, I understand firsthand that those who help others need support too.
My profession positively affects pet parents by offering a warm and compassionate environment. I have seen this specifically through the support groups I have created here at the hospital. In these groups, they find empathy, connection, and a sense of community, which allows them to process their grief in their own way. Over time, many of these individuals begin to heal and feel ready to adopt another pet, bringing love back into their homes after experiencing a loss.
I support Associates in a similar manner, recognizing that each person brings unique life experiences, coping strategies, and connections with animals. The work we do can be emotionally taxing, and I see every Associate as a hero who deserves compassion, encouragement, and support. It is rewarding to witness the growth of the VCA Associates as they learn to recognize their needs, whether that involves taking a break using self-care tools or utilizing the mental health resources provided by VCA. It is truly an honor to support them as they become resilient individuals prioritizing their mental health.
VCA’s emphasis on mental health and well-being has created an understanding environment from the very beginning. The support from my leadership team has allowed me to identify the hospital's needs, such as starting the pet loss support group and, more recently, launching a caregiver support group for pet owners of animals with cancer. I’ve also been able to create valuable well-being content for associates, not only at the hospital level but also on a national scale. In this nurturing environment, I feel blessed and fortunate to positively impact mental health in veterinary medicine. It has been demonstrated to me daily that by supporting clients and VCA Associates, we can foster healing, strength, and resilience in the face of life’s most challenging moments.
