This past weekend, I had the pleasure of partaking in the 8th annual Veterinary Social Work summit hosted by the IAVSW. This was not my first time attending this event, and it won’t be my last. Talk about a wonderful gathering of bright minds and generous souls. I’ve often said that veterinary professionals (DVMs and technicians) who have devoted their careers to euthanasia work are “social workers” at heart. Being in the presence of these people has reaffirmed that, and given me an important reminder of how veterinary social work fits into euthanasia services.

Veterinary social workers (VSW) are people who are dedicating their careers to assist veterinary teams and the pet owners they work with.(1) VSWs hold varying levels of social work degrees and support veterinary medicine in industries like companion animal practice, shelter medicine, and zoos. Veterinary social work is a growing field that focuses on the connection between humans and animals, and how to support both the human and animal needs in that relationship. 

VSW professionals work with pet owners, veterinary staff, and animal welfare workers to address a range of issues, including: 

• Grief and bereavement: VSWs can help people through the loss of a pet. 
• Compassion fatigue: VSWs can help veterinary staff and other workers manage stress and compassion fatigue. 
• Animal-assisted interactions: VSWs can help people use animals for emotional support, guide assistance, and other purposes. 
• End-of-life decisions: VSWs can help clients with decisions about euthanasia and other end-of-life care. 
• Finances: VSWs can help clients with financial issues related to their pets. 

During euthanasia appointments, I see VSWs acting as, or similarly to, Euthanasia Attendants.(2) They can be the emotional anchor that grieving clients need during the procedure, from start to finish. It is common for DVMs and technicians to maneuver in and out of the euthanasia room, managing the medical aspect of euthanasia, leaving the client sitting alone waiting and wondering about what’s coming next. A VSW is a bridge, not only through conversation/communication, but for stability in all stages of the euthanasia procedure. VSWs can facilitate many of the 14 Essential Components of Good Euthanasia, lightening the responsibility of the medical team. 

When you think about the emotional complexity of euthanasia and the necessary communication required to ensure clients understand what is occurring before, during, and after the procedure, having a trained professional ready to navigate these waters is a blessing. I’ve spoken with many veterinarians who would prefer to focus on the medicine of euthanasia and invite someone else to ensure the needs of the client are fulfilled. When you analyze a typical companion animal euthanasia appointment, you find that some 75% of the time is spent on the needs of the client. Around 25% is centered on the medical act of ending life. This means that over the course of a 60 minute appointment, only 15 minutes is directly focused on the euthanasia procedure itself. The rest of the time is spent in conversation with the client, building rapport and trust, discussing payment and aftercare wishes, listening to stories of the human-animal relationship, and in silent support. While this time is enriching and special to veterinary teams, VSWs as stated above are well suited to this work. In doing so, they free up the time of veterinary technicians and veterinarians for other medicine-related tasks.(3)

At this 8th annual Veterinary Social Work summit, I listened to VSWs talk about their current roles and their hopes for the future of their field. Some of the highlights I took away were:

• Animal-Assisted Interactions (AAI) is a growing field that invites research to better understand what’s needed to care for both human and animal, and that it’s related to anthrozoology.
• Climate change is displacing millions of people and pets per year around the world. Systems need to be in place to support both of them in an effort to keep them together rather than pet relinquishment to shelters or other fates.
• The term “non-domesticated” as it relates to feral animals may be better termed “less-domesticated”.
• The insightful ways of indigenous peoples were the impetus for Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
• VSWs are helping to keep pets and victims of domestic violence together. The tremendous efforts underway to provide care for pets during relocation is extraordinary.
• Animal shelters are starting to incorporate more VSWs in a variety of roles and responsibilities.
• VSWs are eager to learn more about euthanasia best practices in both the home and hospital setting. They like being present and feel their skills can make a real difference for euthanasia personnel and pet owners alike.

What does the future hold for Veterinary Social Workers in companion animal euthanasia in particular? I see “big blue ocean” on this one. All social workers are known as agents of change. They help humans adjust to significant life events, which euthanasia is. I see them in supportive roles within general practice, specialty/ER hospitals, animal hospice services, and much more. While VSWs do not generate revenue in these supportive roles (something an employer may prefer), the intangibles are something far more precious during euthanasia appointments, and cannot be overstated.

References

1. https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/resources/what-veterinary-social-worker
2. https://www.dvm360.com/view/euthanasia-attendants-in-modern-practice
3. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20230927/veterinary-social-work-advances-comprehensive-approach-care#:~:text=The%20VSW%20honors%20the%20human,%2C%20euthanasia%2C%20grief%20and%20bereavement.