Caring for all

eterinary social work is the practice that attends to the human needs that arise in the intersection of veterinary medicine and social work. I’m not a therapist for animals, but you could definitely make comparisons of my role to that of a social worker at a human hospital,” Spiotta said. “I really just assist our pet owners in navigating the emotional complexities of their relationship with their animals, and that is just so important because I don’t think people realize how important animals are to people.”

For many people, pets are part of the family. Animals can provide emotional and social support, physical assistance and routine. Research also suggests animals relieve stress, improve communication skills and boost confidence.

Spiotta’s role includes providing clients with emotional support, grief counseling and help making ethical decisions about their animal’s care.

“It’s absolutely vital to incorporate animals into an assessment of an individual’s wellbeing, so that’s what I do here,” Spiotta said. “I think there is too often a stigma around asking for and receiving help in our society. This stigma can serve as a barrier to receiving necessary or meaningful support. As a veterinary social worker, I can be a valuable advocate for you and your pet, and my support can be tailored to meet your unique needs.”

Because every person has different needs, Spiotta covers a range of responsibilities. From supporting clients during difficult discussions, to translating veterinary language, or even just letting families know that she’s visited their pet during treatment, she seeks to improve human wellbeing at Auburn’s veterinary teaching hospitals.

“The college is a great place for a veterinary social work placement,” Spiotta said. “We have people travel to Auburn from all over the world, from all over the country seeking care for their animals, and people are coming with different experiences, with different values, and those things are going to impact the decision-making process, and I’m happy to be able to make connections with them and navigate the complexities of their relationship with their pet.”

The faculty, staff and students at the College of Veterinary Medicine also benefit from Spiotta’s social work experience. She provides education on wellness, communication, burnout and compassion fatigue, which refers to the emotional, physical and mental toll of caring for others.

Spiotta also works with students to introduce ways to prevent or alleviate mental health issues common to emerge in veterinary professionals, as well as facilitate discussions on how to communicate with individuals facing pet loss.

In the hospital, she takes on a significant emotional workload that would otherwise fall on veterinarians or technicians.

“By having a veterinary social worker here, I can allow the veterinary professional to focus on the patient and hopefully prevent them from taking on every need of the client, including the emotional needs of the client,” Spiotta said. “There is no magic wand to heal what they’re going through, but I am able to communicate in a way that empowers people to see their own strengths and see that they’re the expert in their own lives and of their pet’s lives, which empowers them to make a decision that makes sense for them.”