To: New York State Office of Professions
Subject: Urgent Need to Permit Veterinary Social Workers in Veterinary Hospitals

The Issue

When a beloved pet passes away, it can be scary, heartbreaking, upsetting, and traumatic.  The people who love their furry family member can suffer from debilitating depression and anxiety. Veterinary Social Workers can help ease the pain but, sadly, in New York State, social workers are not allowed to help, due to an outdated regulation.  New York has fallen behind the times!  

We are a group of concerned veterinarians and licensed clinical social workers in New York State, and we request your support in changing Section 1212 of the Professional Limited Liability Company Law.

Currently, under this law, licensed social workers and veterinarians are prohibited from practicing together. This law is preventing individuals throughout the state of New York from getting the support they need during a devastating time in their lives - the illness or loss of a beloved pet. In addition, the law prevents social workers from supporting the very individuals who provide care where they work, the veterinary medical community. 

Veterinary social work is practiced and supported by state law in multiple states nationwide, including Tennessee, Ohio, California, Washington, North Carolina, Vermont, Texas, and many more. A veterinary social worker is an essential member of the veterinary interdisciplinary team who supports humans in their relationships with a companion animal, as well as having a direct impact on helping to reduce the rate of suicide that has become alarmingly high among veterinary medical professionals (Centers for Disease Control). Veterinary social work focuses on four main areas - grief and bereavement, compassion fatigue, the connection between human and animal violence, and animal-assisted interventions.

We ask that you urge our New York State legislators to change the current laws which are preventing people from getting the help they so desperately need. Together, we can support New York pet owners and positively impact the mental health of our veterinary professionals.