Veterinary Social Work

Care for the human-animal bond

Recognizing that our animals are a beloved part of our lives, VA-MD Vet Med's Veterinary Social Work Service is available to help clients navigate every step of their pet’s care. Similar to hospital or medical social workers in other health care settings, this service may include talking through treatment options, facilitating communication, or offering support for decision-making.

Consultations and appointments

SERVICES OFFERED
Similar to hospital or medical social workers in other health care settings, the veterinary social work service is available to help you navigate every step of your pet’s care. Clients may receive support from the veterinary social worker in a variety of ways:

• As a liaison between you and your veterinary care team
• To facilitate decision-making
• To assist during crisis
• To help in making quality-of-life assessments
• In euthanasia decision-making
• For support before, during, and/or after euthanasia
• As support for discussions with children
• Grief support

Memorialization

Honoring the memory

Finding a way to honor or memorialize the life and legacy of a beloved animal is an expression of gratitude and an acknowledgment of the gifts we discover through our human-animal bonds.

Annual remembrance ceremony

An annual remembrance ceremony to celebrate the lives of beloved animals will be hosted in September to gather with others sharing similar experiences, hear from a speaker with words of healing, create a remembrance item, and view a slideshow of your beloved animals.

If you would like to participate in the annual remembrance ceremony, please contact the veterinary social worker by email at vtvetsocialworker@vt.edu or by phone at 540-231-4621.

Make a gift

You may also choose to memorialize an animal by supporting the college with an online donation.

Care for the humans who care for animals in Virginia's New River Valley