Do Veterinary Social Workers Assist Clients or Staff?

While the everyday tasks of a veterinary social worker are dependent upon the hospital he or she works for, Sandra Brackenridge, LCSW, a veterinary social work consultant, says a program that offers support for both clients and staff is extremely important.

"So, each hospital can do what they want, and what I understand is that in the corporate world there is a push toward veterinary wellness and that's for staff. It is my opinion that when social workers help clients as well that they are helping staff enormously in terms of relief from the emotional burden, the moral distress, the time-consuming communications with clients; social workers help with all that. And so the veterinary professional, nurse or doctor can say 'Here's my veterinary social worker and she's going to spend time with you,' and get back to work. And that's an enormous relief and it's part of caring for staff. And so I think a program that does both is extremely important."