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


Our goal is to support you when faced with the difficult decisions you may face. The VSW team provides several complimentary support services to help clients navigate these experiences during and after their visit.


During: The staff at ECVR understand the difficult and stressful decisions you are faced with while seeking emergency Veterinary care. Communication and decision making while our beloved pets are sick. The VSW team is here to provide support during these times. This support includes:

  • Crisis Support
  • Financial Resource Linkage
  • Collaboration with staff to provide effective communication
  • Assistance in end-of-life decision making
  • Quality of Life assessments in collaboration with staff
  • Support throughout euthanasia
  • Additional community resource linkage


After: While clients may face difficult decisions during their visit, we understand the impact does not end when you leave. Our VSW team will continue to provide our clients with support as needed. This complimentary support includes:

  • Individual grief and bereavement counseling
  • Monthly pet loss support groups
  • Grief and community resource linkage


UPCOMING SUPPORT GROUPS


January 24, 2024

February 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

April 24, 2024

May 8, 2024

June 18, 2024

Are you struggling with the loss of your pet?


If the answer is yes, we understand and want to help.

  • Grief and Bereavement Counseling

    • 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.
    • Charity Moorhous, LCSW-A, is our full time clinician who facilitates our grief and bereavement counseling services. The VSW program also hosts clinical Master of Social Work interns from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. 
    • Individual counseling services are provided both in-person and telehealth 
    • If you would like to schedule an appointment, please follow the link below or email charity.moorhous@nva.com for further questions 
    • https://charity-moorhous.clientsecure.me/request/service

  • Monthly Pet Loss Support Group

    • This 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 currently held at The Arboretum. 
    • Location: 6:30pm-7:45pm 6206 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403
    • 2023 Dates: March 22nd (Wed), April 26th (Wed), May 11th (Thurs), June 21st (Mon), July (TBD), August 28th (Mon), September 27th (Wed), October 23rd (Mon), November 30th (Thurs), December 14th (Thurs)
    • Fee: Group is free of charge
    • To Register: If you are interested in participating in a Pet Loss Support Group, please contact Charity Moorhous, MSW, LCSW-A, in advance for pre-screening and registration. Please email charity.moorhous@nva.com for further questions or instructions to register. 
    • You are also welcome to register directly with the following link
    • https://charity-moorhous.clientsecure.me/request/service
Schedule an Appointment Time

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 

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.

Donate Now
Share by: