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Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital

Veterinary Social Work

At MASH, we recognize the significance of the bond between humans and animals, as well as the emotional well-being of our veterinary medicine team. We are proud to be one of the few veterinary hospitals, and the first in Southern California, to have a VSW program. Our hospital is unique in that we have two licensed mental health clinicians who provide free support to both MASH clients and staff.

Availability

Veterinary Social Work services are available with Rebecca Baker Monday – Wednesday from 8 am – 6:30 pm, or with Victor Luna Wednesday – Saturday from 10:30 am – 9 pm.

Services are available in Spanish with Victor Luna, Wednesday - Saturday from 10:30 am – 9 pm.

To contact a Veterinary Social Worker, email Rebecca Baker at [email protected] or Victor Luna at [email protected]. They can be reached directly at 323-948-1400.

Woman petting dog

What Veterinary Social Workers Do

Veterinary social workers collaborate with our interdisciplinary team to provide added support to our clients.

Veterinarians and support staff are typically not trained to work with people experiencing crisis, trauma, or grief.

A veterinary social worker can help alleviate some of these pressures by providing professional expertise in high-emotion situations.

Veterinary Social Workers provide services for both staff and clients including, but not limited to:

  • Short-term grief/anticipatory grief support

  • Virtual pet loss support group

  • End-of-life/QOL support and guidance

  • Crisis intervention (as related to a patient’s medical condition)

  • Liaison between client and medical staff

  • Euthanasia support

  • Referrals to community resources

Veterinary Social Workers do not provide ongoing therapy.

If therapy is needed, a member of the VSW team may be able to assist with a referral. Follow-up is not guaranteed to be immediate. VSWs respond to referrals as quickly as possible, generally within 1-7 days.

Meet our Veterinary Social Workers