Pet Care, People Care: Bridging Veterinary Social Work with Mental Health

Introduction

Caring for animals involves far more than providing food, water, and shelter. Behind every adoption, rescue, or routine checkup is a network of dedicated individuals—veterinary professionals, volunteers, and pet families—who experience a unique blend of emotional highs and lows. Veterinary social work emerges as a vital link, addressing the human side of animal welfare, whether that’s helping a bereaved pet parent heal or offering support to exhausted veterinary staff.

Our practice recognizes that the well-being of pets is inextricably tied to the well-being of those who care for them. That’s why we provide Aetna-covered therapy sessions and run two Animal Grief Groups—one virtual for anyone in Texas, and one in person at our Flower Mound location (convenient to Coppell, Frisco, Grapevine, Southlake, Argyle, and Highland Village). Space is limited, so read on to learn how this specialized approach might support you or someone you know.

The Heavy Toll on Veterinary Staff

Elevated Stress & Suicide Risk

Veterinary professionals face a blend of job-related stressors—end-of-life care decisions, client pressures, and long work hours. Research shows these stressors can contribute to a heightened risk of suicidal ideation (Nett et al., 2015). Another review found that veterinary surgeons consistently face elevated stress and burnout, potentially leading to higher suicide rates compared to the general population (Bartram & Baldwin, 2010). These findings underscore the need for specialized mental health services, including counseling that understand the veterinary context.

The Role of Veterinary Social Work

Veterinary social work (VSW) is a growing field dedicated to serving both the professional and emotional challenges faced in animal care settings. According to Kogan et al. (2019), VSW involves everything from crisis intervention and staff counseling to grief support for clients. By valuing a broad skill set—therapy, mediation, advocacy—these social workers help veterinary teams cope with complex emotional demands, reducing burnout and promoting a healthier work culture.

Pet Grief: More Than Just Mourning

Deep Emotional Ties

For many of us, losing a pet feels like losing a family member. Yet, society sometimes minimizes that pain. Walsh (2009) emphasizes how human-animal bonds can be as profound as human-human relationships, making pet loss an event that deserves proper acknowledgment and healing.

Recognizing Disenfranchised Grief

Quackenbush and Glickman (1984) were among the first to highlight pet loss as a form of grief that’s often overlooked. Pet parents can experience a sense of isolation or even shame about how intensely they feel this loss—further justifying the importance of pet-specific grief counseling.

Our Two Pet Grief Counseling Groups: Virtual in Texas & In-Person in Flower Mound, Texas

1. Virtual Pet Grief Group

   • Open to Anyone in Texas: Whether you live in Austin, San Antonio, Midland, Houston or Amarillo, you can connect with us for counseling online.

   • Safe, Nonjudgmental Environment: Share experiences, learn coping strategies, and build supportive friendships—all from the comfort of your home.

2. In-Person Pet Grief Group (Flower Mound)

   • Serving Coppell, Frisco, Grapevine, Southlake, Argyle, Highland Village: Our in person location is ideal for those seeking a face-to-face setting in the North DFW area.

   • Limited Spaces: We keep counseling groups small to ensure personalized attention. Reserve your spot soon if you’re interested.

Aetna Coverage + Cash Pay

We accept Aetna insurance, aiming to make therapy more accessible. If you prefer cash pay, we offer flexible payment options for all counseling services.

Why a Holistic Approach Matters

Emotional Resilience for Veterinary Staff

With specialized veterinary social work interventions, clinic teams can better manage compassion fatigue, reduce burnout, and deliver top-tier animal care.

Support for Pet Parents

From dealing with pet adoption stress to processing bereavement, our practice provides counseling that respects the depth of your human-animal bond.

Stronger Community Ties

When we invest in the emotional welfare of veterinary professionals and pet families, we create healthier communities, ensuring pets receive compassionate, informed care and families feel supported through every stage of an animal’s life.

Key Takeaways

1. Veterinary Staff Need Support
   With higher-than-average stress levels, professionals in animal care settings benefit immensely from therapydesigned for their unique challenges (Nett et al., 2015; Bartram & Baldwin, 2010).

2. Pet Loss Is Valid
   Grief over losing a beloved animal is genuine and may require specialized counseling (Walsh, 2009; Quackenbush & Glickman, 1984).

3. Two Pet Grief Groups

   • Virtual: For any Texas resident who needs flexible, online support.

   • In-Person: Held in Flower Mound, near Coppell, Frisco, Grapevine, Southlake, Argyle, Highland Village.

4. Aetna & Payment Options
   We welcome Aetna insurance and offer cash pay choices to ensure therapy is accessible.

5. Register Soon
   Each group has limited space to maintain an intimate environment. Sign up early if you’re ready to start healing.

Ready to Register or Want More Details?

Don’t wait—spaces fill up fast. Whether you’re a veterinary professional seeking tailored support or a pet parent grieving a recent loss, our Pet Grief Groups and Aetna-covered individual therapy options can guide you toward emotional relief and a renewed sense of connection.

• Contact Us: Reach out for group registration or to learn more about our specialized veterinary social work services.

• Learn More: Check our website for details on scheduling, coverage, and additional mental health resources.

• Virtual or In-Person: Choose the format that works best for your lifestyle and comfort level.

Because caring for pets often means caring for ourselves—let’s make sure no one navigates the challenges of veterinary work or pet loss alone.

References (APA Style)

• Bartram, D. J., & Baldwin, D. S. (2010). Veterinary surgeons and suicide: A structured review of possible influences on increased risk. Veterinary Record, 166(13), 388–397.

• Kogan, L. R., Schoenfeld-Tacher, R., & Hellyer, P. (2019). The emerging role of veterinary social work in veterinary medicine. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 46(4), 544–552.

• Nett, R. J., Witte, T. K., Holzbauer, S. M., Elchos, B. L., Campagnolo, E. R., Musgrave, K. J., … & Funk, R. H. (2015). Prevalence of risk factors for suicide among veterinarians—United States, 2014. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 64(5), 131–135.

• Quackenbush, W., & Glickman, T. (1984). Pet loss and human emotional needs. Social Work, 29(1), 50–54.

• Walsh, F. (2009). Human-animal bonds I: The relational significance of companion animals. Family Process, 48(4), 462–480.

Pet Grief Support in Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, and Las Colinas, TX

Integrating Veterinary Social Work for Compassionate Care

Author: Mikayla Jacob, LCSW-S, LISW, Founder and Director of Clinical Services at Sentient Path PLLC
Date: January 21, 2025

Introduction

Losing a beloved pet can feel overwhelming. Many of us form deep emotional bonds with our companion animals, and saying goodfbye can be just as heartbreaking as losing a close friend or family member (Archer, 1997). However, pet grief is often overlooked or minimized, leaving individuals to cope alone. In Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, and Las Colinas, Texas, our practice offers specialized pet grief therapy and group support led by a team that includes a therapist trained in Veterinary Social Work (VSW). We accept Aetna insurance for our pet grief groups and provide cash pay options to ensure that compassionate care is accessible and affordable.

What Is Veterinary Social Work?

Veterinary Social Work (VSW) is an emerging interdisciplinary model of care that addresses the complex emotional, social, and mental health aspects of human-animal relationships (International Association of Veterinary Social Workers [IAVSW], 2022). According to Sutton-Ryan (2022), many individuals first seek professional interaction—not with a social worker—but in veterinary spaces. By embedding social work services there, VSW increases access to much-needed support, including pet grief counseling.

VSW practice highlights four core areas:

1. Grief and Loss (including companion animal loss)

2. Compassion Fatigue and Mental Health of Veterinary Professionals

3. Evidence-Based Animal-Assisted Interventions

4. The Link Between Interpersonal Violence and Animal Abuse

Recognizing these connections is crucial, especially given that 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet (American Pet Products Association [APPA], 2022). When a pet dies, the resulting grief can be significant and, at times, disenfranchised—meaning society doesn’t always acknowledge or validate it (Walsh, 2009).

Meet Our Therapist Trained in Veterinary Social Work: Angela Corley, LMSW

One of our pet grief groups is led by Angela Corley, a therapist with extensive training in Veterinary Social Work. Angela has experience supporting individuals and families through the challenges of pet loss, using evidence-based interventions that address both the emotional toll on pet owners and the potential secondary stress on veterinary professionals.

Why VSW Matters for Pet Grief

• Holistic Approach: By understanding the human-animal bond, a VSW-trained therapist like Angela Corley can integrate relevant emotional, social, and relational factors into each session.

• Validated Experiences: VSW professionals acknowledge that pet loss is a major life event, deserving the same level of care as other forms of grief (Sutton-Ryan, 2022).

• Community Education: Angela’s role also includes providing resources and education to veterinarians, vet techs, and others in the local pet care community, fostering a broader network of empathy and support.

Understanding Pet Grief

Pet grief often mirrors the stages of human grief:

1. Shock/Denial

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

Yet, cultural or societal stigmas can leave bereaved pet owners feeling isolated or misunderstood (Zilcha-Mano et al., 2012). Through pet grief therapy, you can process these emotions in a safe space, knowing your pain is real and valid.

Individual Counseling Benefits

• Safe, Confidential Environment: Discuss your grief at your own pace.

• Personalized Coping Strategies: Learn mindfulness techniques, journaling, or memorialization activities to honor your pet.

• Focused Support: Address any feelings of guilt or regret, common after the loss of a companion animal.

Group Therapy for Pet Loss

For many, shared experience can be a powerful catalyst for healing. Our pet grief support group offers:

• Collective Understanding: You’ll meet others who empathize with your loss, reducing isolation.

• Mutual Learning: Hearing how others cope provides new strategies and insights.

• Guidance from a VSW Specialist: With Angela Corley’s background, the group benefits from a therapist trained to integrate the human-animal bond into therapeutic interventions.

Why Veterinary Social Work Is Crucial for Pet Grief

• Holistic Integration: VSW recognizes that mental health, veterinary care, and the human-animal bond are interlinked (Sutton-Ryan, 2022).

• Preventing Disenfranchised Grief: VSW-trained therapists validate the depth of your relationship with your pet.

• Support for Veterinary Professionals: Veterinary teams experience high rates of compassion fatigue; VSW can mitigate these stressors (Nett et al., 2015).

Insurance and Payment Options

We strive to make pet grief counseling as accessible as possible:

• Aetna Insurance: Our practice accepts Aetna, streamlining the process for insured clients.

• Cash Pay: For those without insurance or who prefer self-pay, we offer flexible options to ensure you receive quality care.

Serving Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, and Las Colinas, TX

Our team is dedicated to supporting local communities across the DFW area. Whether you opt for in-person sessions or telehealth, we tailor our approach to meet your needs. You’re never alone in this journey; we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Taking the Next Step

1. Reach Out: Schedule a consultation to discuss individual counseling or group therapy with our Veterinary Social Worker.

2. Validate Your Feelings: Remember that losing a pet can be just as impactful as losing a human loved one.

3. Join Our Pet Grief Group: Share your experiences, learn from others, and gain professional insights from Angela Corley.

4. Continue the Conversation: Pet grief can be a long process. Allow yourself the space, time, and support to heal.

Conclusion

Pet grief is real, deeply felt, and deserving of professional care. With Veterinary Social Work training and a compassionate approach, our practice is uniquely equipped to help you navigate this challenging time. Contact us todayto learn more about our pet grief therapy options, including Aetna coverage and cash pay alternatives. Let’s honor your beloved companion together and set you on a path to healing and hope.

References

American Pet Products Association. (2022). APPA national pet owners survey. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/pubs_survey.asp

Archer, J. (1997). Why do people love their pets? Evolution and Human Behavior, 18(4), 237–259.

International Association of Veterinary Social Workers. (2022). IAVSW website. https://veterinarysocialwork.org/

Nett, R. J., Witte, T. K., Holzbauer, S. M., Elchos, B. L., Campagnolo, E. R., Musgrave, K. J., Carter, K. K., Kurkjian, K. M., Vanicek, C., O’Leary, D. R., Pride, K. R., & Funk, R. H. (2015). Prevalence of risk factors for suicide among veterinarians—United States, 2014. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 64(5), 131–132.

Sutton-Ryan, A. (2022). Awareness of veterinary social work in veterinary professionals capstone project. University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work Certificate.

Walsh, F. (2009). Human-animal bonds I: The relational significance of companion animals. Family Process, 48(4), 462–480.

Zilcha-Mano, S., Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2012). Pet in the therapy room: An attachment perspective on animal-assisted therapy. Social Work, 57(2), 165–177.