As a client of the VCA Canada CARE Centre, you can connect with the Veterinary Social Work (“VSW”) Service anytime during your animal’s treatment. This service is available to all hospital clients and is free of charge. The veterinary social worker is a registered social worker who is an active member of the veterinary healthcare team and can provide the following support:

• Providing emotional and decision-making support regarding medical treatments
• Conversations about your animal’s quality-of-life and end-of-life planning
• Attending care appointments and euthanasia appointments as requested
• Short term grief counselling for companion animal loss
• Provision of mental health and community support resources

The VSW Service also offers confidential grief counseling support for those who have experienced pet loss. VCA clients are allotted short-term counselling (2-3 sessions) free-of-charge, per person. Clients are welcome to participate in these sessions as a couple, family, or individually. Each session can last up to 60 minutes.

The VSW Service will reach out to clients who have experienced a loss to offer this service. Members of the veterinary healthcare team may also refer you to VSW service for support throughout your animal’s treatment. Client’s may also self-refer for services by emailing [email protected].