Tailored Support for Your Unique Needs

At MCPS, we believe caring for animals means also caring for the humans who love and serve them.

Our Services

MCPS Veterinary Social Work provides compassionate, healing-centered support for veterinary teams, pet guardians, universities, and community organizations. We offer tailored services for:

  • Veterinary professionals experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, or moral stress

  • Clients navigating grief, crisis, or end-of-life decisions

  • Organizations aiming to improve team culture and staff well-being

  • Universities seeking to expand internship opportunities in this emerging field

Our services include individual and group support, grief and pet loss resources, staff wellness, consulting, intern program development and placement, and organizational guidance. Available virtually and in person, all services are offered on a sliding scale to ensure equitable access.

  • Design featuring a heart with a veterinary cross, silhouettes of dogs and cats, and a paw print on a green background.

    Veterinary Professionals & Teams

    Best for:
    Veterinary hospitals, ER/specialty teams, small clinics, or nonprofits seeking mental health-informed, culturally responsive staff care.

  • Two figures with a heart with dog faces inside, representing love or friendship between humans and dogs.

    Families & Pet Guardians

    Best for:
    Clients receiving care through your clinic/hospital, or community members in need of grief and crisis support during or after veterinary visits.

  • Icon of two hands holding a paw print, representing care for animals.

    Animal Welfare & Community Organizations

    Best for:
    Nonprofit animal orgs, community clinics, shelters, rescue groups, and mobile vet services.

  • Silhouette of a group of hands holding graduation caps against a light green background.

    Universities & Social Work Programs

    Best for:
    Field directors, undergrad and master’s level students, and universities looking to expand internship opportunities in emerging and niche field.

  • We support veterinary staff at every level—through wellness programming, crisis debriefs, and sustainable culture-building.

    Offerings include:

    • 1:1 emotional support and staff consultations

    • Critical incident debriefing (euthanasia, medical errors, client distress)

    • Staff burnout and compassion fatigue prevention

    • Client communication and boundary setting training

    • Monthly team-building activities and wellness planning

    • Intern program development & field instruction for undergrad and master’s level students

    • Supervision and mentorship for early-career Veterinary Social Workers

  • We support individuals and families navigating the emotional complexity of animal care, especially during grief, crisis, or end-of-life decisions.

    Offerings include:

    • Pet loss and anticipatory grief support

    • Euthanasia and Quality Of Life (QOL) decision-making guidance

    • Post-euthanasia rituals and memorial support

    • Emotional support during critical care or sudden loss

    • Case management: financial, housing, DV support, and other community resources

  • We partner with nonprofits, shelters, mobile clinics, and advocacy groups to provide integrated social work support that centers both animals and humans.

    Offerings include:

    • Program design for embedded social work or VSW consultation

    • Staff training on grief, trauma-informed communication, and cultural humility

    • Crisis intervention and healing centered practices

    • Equity-focused client services consulting

    • Sliding scale program development

    • Resource building & systems navigation tools

    • Referrals and community resources to improve access to care

  • We serve as a field placement site and community-based supervisor for undergrad and master’s level interns seeking hands-on hours in veterinary social work or public health.

    Offerings include:

    • Supervision for interns (macro and clinical)

    • Field placement partnerships with schools of social work

    • Trauma-informed curriculum & grief training for students

    • Guidance on the role of veterinary social work within Social Work and Public Health programs

Sliding Scale Philosophy

No one should be denied support due to cost. We work with each client or organization to determine a sustainable rate. Community-based and nonprofit clinics may qualify for low or no-cost support. Individual and client-facing services can follow a “pay-what-you-can” or donation-based model.

  • “I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. And the way you valued my beautiful girl Daisy and her quirks.” -L.G.

  • "You are a true angel, for pets and humans." -J.K.

  • "Thank you, Cristina! We have her favorite harness at home and a handful of treasured things. I love the idea of having a designated space to honor and cherish our sweet Elska. Thank you for all the kindness!" -S.L.

  • "I never though I'd ever be this sad. You've been so supportive and kind. Thank you very much." -P.T.

Questions before getting started?

Get in touch.