Veterinary Social Work

The Veterinary Social Work (VSW) program at Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral is a complimentary service that provides pet owners and staff with resources and support. This program assists in crisis management, short-term counseling, financial resource linkage, and end of life support. Our Veterinary Social Work program is staffed by Charity Moorhous, a licensed clinical social work associate, and clinical interns attending UNCW’s Master of Social Work program.

Client Support


We encourage you to utilize our social work services if you need support navigating these experiences during and after your visit:


  • Pet loss including anticipatory grief
  • Caregiver support for those caring for pets with chronic or hospice needs
  • Crisis intervention & emotional support
  • Support when receiving a new diagnosis or new treatment options
  • Support during decision-making
  • Assessing quality of life
  • End of life decision making
  • Facilitating family discussions around patient care


MONTHLY PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUPS


Our Pet Loss Support Group is a safe space to share your experience of loss, honor the memories of your companion, and receive support in coping with grief. All community members are welcome to join these monthly groups at no cost. Groups are currently structured as an open recurring group for those seeking the support of others experiencing the recent loss of a pet. This group is not a therapy group and is not considered a substitute for therapy. The group is facilitated by ECVR's Veterinary Social Work Team, overseen by a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSW-A).


Groups are held virtually the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 6:30-7:45 pm.


Please take the time to register for an upcoming group through the link below.


If you have any questions prior to registering, please contact Charity Moorhous (LCWS-A) at charity.moorhous@nva.com

Pet Loss Support Group Registration

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Individual counseling sessions are offered to caregivers navigating medical care and/or anticipatory grief for their beloved animal with a chronic or terminal illness. This service will focus on providing space to navigate the emotional impact of the following:


  • Pet has received a life limiting prognosis
  • Seeking palliative care
  • Pet is currently hospitalized
  • End of life decision making
  • Navigating discussions with family
  • Personal well being while caretaking for chronically ill pet


INDIVIDUAL BEREAVEMENT

Navigating the loss of a pet who is your friend, companion, and family can be a difficult and heartbreaking experience. While the bond you shared cannot be replaced, you are not alone. The VSW program provides grief and bereavement counseling focused on creating a non-judgmental space to process and navigate the individual grief journey. These services are person-centered to develop coping strategies and identify your needs in living with the loss of your companion.

Schedule Support

Individual counseling sessions are provided both in-person and telehealth. Please click above to schedule a session with our VSW team.

Veterinary Staff Support

The VSW team provides several support services to all employees at ECVR. Veterinary professionals face an immense amount of grief, stress, and trauma in their daily work. While the VSW program utilizes social work interventions with clients not only in their support but also reduces the volume of emotional interactions staff face allowing the team more time and energy for other patients. However, the frequent emotionally charged occurrences take a toll on these passionate professionals. The VSW program aims to support staff in coping with the effects of burnout, compassion fatigue, and sustaining an overall healthy mental well-being while providing veterinary care.

  • Crisis support and intervention
  • Psychoeducation on various topics including: Pet Loss, Professional quality of life and wellness, Emotional CPR, De-escalation techniques, Compassion Fatigue, stress and conflict management, Animal-assisted interventions
  • Referral linkage to mental health and community resources
  • Provides short-term counseling to staff for mental health related issues, secondary trauma, conflict management, and compassion fatigue 

MEET OUR SOCIAL WORKER


Charity Moorhous, MSW, LCSW-A


Charity Moorhous is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate and graduated from UNC Wilmington with her Master’s in 2022. She began the development of the ECVR Veterinary Social Work Program at the start of her clinical internship in August 2021 and came on board as our fulltime social worker in June 2022. Charity has worked with a range of populations including active-duty military, survivors of sexual assault, adults with disabilities, but has truly found her calling supporting animal professionals and pet parents. In the abundance of Charity’s free time she enjoys: baking, gardening, painting, home renovations, surfing, kayaking, camping, hiking with her pups, and volunteering with several local non-profits.

Petey's Fund

Petey was a 45-pound mixed-breed, rescue with a coat of velvet and a heart of gold. Children used to line up just to pet him, and he would greet everyone with a happy tail wag. He was as tough as he was sweet, having survived a deadly blood disease and a rattlesnake bite. He passed away at 15 after a long and happy life.

Petey’s family, in conjunction with Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral and Pawsability would like to ensure that local pets get the medical care they need and deserve. This fund, in Petey’s memory, is meant to assist others in the community who are struggling financially with the care of their pets.

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