Veterinary Support Services - UW Veterinary Care

Recognizing the depth of the human-animal bond, social workers are a part of veterinary teams to help address the human needs of both clients and veterinary professionals that occur during animals’ care. Social workers offer support to animal owners during emotionally difficult situations. They offer support to veterinary professionals who are faced by the emotional toll of patient loss or illness daily.

UW Veterinary Care’s (UWVC) Veterinary Support Services is available to UWVC clients free of charge. The UWVC medical team may ask Veterinary Support Services to offer support during an animal’s care.

We appreciate your understanding and patience regarding Veterinary Support Services being prioritized for in-hospital patient families.

Support OFFERED for clients

Act as a liaison between client and veterinary medical team
Support during times of uncertainty, diagnostic testing, and/or treatment
Facilitate processing animal’s diagnosis and treatment options
Assist in planning ahead for potential medical crisis, chronic illness, or end of life
Help in making quality of life assessments
Be present before, during, and/or after euthanasia, or be present, if client cannot be
Assist in family discussions about animal's care
Support to caregivers of animals with chronic illnesses
Anticipatory grief and grief support
Facilitate animal loss support group: UWVC Together in Pet Loss

Resources for Pet Parents

When is it time to say goodbye?

Lap of Love article How Will I Know It's Time to Say Goodbye? gives helpful information about how and when to make this very difficult decision.
Lap of Love Pet Quality of Life Scale
Journeys Home Pet Quality of Life Scale Calculator
Quality of Life Scale The HHHHHMM Scale

Animal Loss Resources

We love and care for them daily. We celebrate their “gotcha” days and birthdays. They bring us joy and laughter. Losing a pet can be just as difficult as losing a close family member or friend. This loss can be overwhelming for pet owners. Grieving the loss of a beloved pet is normal, and there are resources available to help pet owners process their feelings after saying goodbye to their furry, scaled, or feathered loved one.

UWVC Together in Pet Loss - Meets virtually on the first Tuesday and third Wednesday of each month from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Pet Loss Resource Center (PLRC) - Pet Loss Support Group
Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement - Website offers many wonderful resources to those who are dealing with pet loss
Pet Compassion Careline - 24/7 grief support
Rainbow Bridge - A virtual memorial home and grief support community
Helping children cope - “6 Family Friendly Ways to Help Kids Grieve After Pet Loss”
Losing Lulu - A moderated social media group intended to support those grieving the loss of an animal to a behavioral euthanasia.

If you or someone you’re concerned about is at imminent risk to harm yourself or others, immediately call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room. If you or someone you’re concerned about is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact:

 Dane County’s 24-Hour Crisis/Suicide Prevention Hotline at Journey Mental Health: 608-280-2600
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for anyone experiencing a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis: Call 988 (multiple languages), text to 988 (English only) or chat feature at 988lifeline.org (English only)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from the Crisis Text Line’s secure online platform
Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or text 838255, 24/7 service for veterans and their loved ones
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678, 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ people