About

For many, animals are beloved family members, friends and companions. When they are sick or injured, owners experience a variety of emotions and challenges.

As part of the treatment team at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre, the Veterinary Social Work Program is here to support you through this difficult time.

How we can help

  • Offering emotional support during diagnostic testing, treatment or euthanasia
  • Helping you communicate your questions and concerns to your medical team
  • Helping you communicate your questions and concerns to your veterinary medical team
  • Providing referral to community supports if needed after you leave the medical centre or after an animal's death
  • Helping you communicate your animal's illness and possible death to your children
  • Helping you and your family work through your loss
  • Support and referral for farm stress due to issues with your herd or production animals
  • Support and referral for family members who are caring for seriously ill pets
  • Support and referral for issues such as abuse (animals/people) and alcohol/drug addictions

Resources

Quality of life decision-making scales
Created by the University of Tennessee Knoxville VSW

This website includes resources to aid clients in their discussions about their animal's quality of life with their veterinarian. Please contact Veterinary Social Work (VSW) at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre should you need additional support. 

Pet loss support

Information on grief and loss and pet loss support resources in Saskatoon, Sask. 

Mobile crisis units across Saskatchewan

Free 24/7 crisis support available across Saskatchewan. A crisis could include: 
  • Suicidal feelings, thoughts or plans
  • Child abuse and neglect (when the Ministry of Social Services — Child Protection is closed)
  • Marriage and family problems
  • Overwhelming emotions
  • Relapse of mental illness
  • Problems with drug and alcohol use and abuse
  • Worries about safety
  • Older adults/seniors in distress
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service (Mobile Crisis) — 24/7 hours 
306-933-6200
Regina Mobile Crisis Unit — 24/7 hours
306-525-5333
Northeast Crisis Line — 24/7 Northern Saskatchewan
1-800-611-6349
Piwapan Women's Centre — Crisis Line, 24/7 hours
306-425-4090
Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit — 24/7 hours
306-764-1011
West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1 to 5 p.m. 
306-463-6655
After hours: 306-933-6200
Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline
1-800-306-6789
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868

HealthLine 811

HealthLine 811 is a confidential, 24-hour health and mental health and addictions advice, education and support telephone line available to the people of Saskatchewan. It is staffed by experienced and specially trained registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and registered social workers.
Call 811.

 

Farm Stress Line

Calls to the Farm Stress Line are answered by Mobile Crisis Services, a non-profit, community-based agency providing crisis intervention services in Saskatchewan since 1974. Whether it is information, conflict or crisis, the first step is communication. Call before the problem becomes a crisis.
1-800-667-4442

Intimate partner/domestic violence safety planning for pets
Created by Community Veterinary Outreach

A checklist for individuals leaving a domestic violence relationship and for professionals helping clients planning to exit violent relationships to safely plan for pets.

Click here to download the safety guidelines

ViolenceLink.ca

ViolenceLink.ca provides information about the link between animal abuse and domestic violence. The website includes resources for survivors, professionals and more. 

Click here to visit the ViolenceLink.ca website.

Animal care guidelines for emergency co-sheltering
Created by Community Veterinary Outreach 

Best practices for those emergency housing facilities interested in implementing co-sheltering services for people and their animals.

Click here to view the animal care guidelines online. 

Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan

The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is the member association for agencies that provide intimate partner violence services across Saskatchewan. Members include women’s shelters (also known as domestic violence shelters, safe shelters, transition houses, or interval houses), second stage shelters, and counselling centres that offer counselling and support to survivors of IPV.

Click here to view the PATHS web site.

SVMA Member Wellness Support Program

The Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) began subsidizing professional counselling services for members in 2012. Professional Psychologists and Counsellors (PPC) is based in Saskatoon and provides access to over 40 therapists across the province by referral.

These counselling services are available to all registered veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists (RVTs) in Saskatchewan. 

 

How you can reach us

  • Ask a WCVM veterinarian or staff member about social work services.
  • Call 306-966-2852 for social work services