Client Support Services
About Client Support Services at Verg Brooklyn
About
Support Groups
FAQs
Resources
In Memoriam
Register Here
Photo Submission Form
Client Support Services at VERG is dedicated to providing emotional processing support throughout the veterinary medicine process. At the core of our value system is a deep respect for the human-animal bond, which is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals, influenced by behaviors considered essential to the health and wellbeing of both. This bond enhances the mental, physical, and social health of people and animals alike. We align our services with these values by offering a variety of counseling and consultation services to animal companion caregivers and veterinary staff.
Those seeking Client Support Services at VERG will find that they can receive support in a variety of areas, including:
- Navigating their pet’s quality of life assessments and challenging end-of-life decisions
- Facilitating communication with your animal’s medical team
- Free individual and/or group Caregiver Support for managing your animal’s chronic condition
- Being present before, during, and/or after euthanasia
- Free individual and/or group Pet Loss Support for grief and bereavement counseling
- Providing age appropriate resources on how to talk to your children about your animal’s illness or passing
- Providing mental health referrals and pet related community resources
Christine Galotti, LMSW
About Our Client Support Coordinator
Christine Galotti, LMSW is a New York State Licensed Master
Social Worker with years of experience working therapeutically with a wide variety of populations, including students and their families, veterans, justice-impacted adults, adults navigating substance use treatment, and a general outpatient population seeking mental health treatment and support. As a volunteer animal rescuer, Galotti feels passionately about supporting the people who love and care for animals. In her role as VERG’s Veterinary CSC, she assists clients and staff by focusing on grief and bereavement, compassion fatique, and the connection between human and animal violence. Galotti is being clinically supervised by Dr. Katherine Compitus, DSW, LCSW-R, C-AAIS, and has completed graduate coursework in The Human-Animal Bond in Therapy at NYU Silver School of Social Work.
Questions about Client Support Services
What types of Client Support Services will be offered at VERG Brooklyn?
Those seeking Client Support Services at VERG Brooklyn will find that they can receive support in a variety of areas, including:
- Navigating their pet’s quality of life assessments and challenging end-of-life decisions
- Facilitating communication with your animal’s medical team
- Free individual and/or group Caregiver Support for managing your animal’s chronic condition
- Being present before, during, and/or after euthanasia
- Free individual and/or group Pet Loss Support for grief and bereavement counseling
- Providing age appropriate resources on how to talk to your children about your animal’s illness or death
- Providing mental health referrals and pet related community resources
What are the benefits of joining a support group?
Joining a group can help you strengthen your relationship and communication skills, reduce social isolation, and find your unique voice, especially when experiencing grief and navigating life transitions. Participants will:
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Realize they are not alone,
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Give and receive social support,
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Increase self-awareness, and
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Practice healthier ways of relating to others.
How long are the groups and where are they located?
Typically, a group runs for about 90 minutes per session. The support groups are virtual, and a Zoom link will be provided to those who sign up. If you received a confirmation email but have not received a link, please email clientsupport@vergbrooklyn.com.
Who can join the group?
Space is limited, and VERG Brooklyn clients will be given priority placement in the groups as well as a complimentary 45-minute individual Caregiver Support or Grief & Bereavement counseling session. If you are not a VERG client but would like to join a support group, please fill out this form.
Support Groups
A support group is a group of people with common experiences or concerns who provide each other with encouragement, comfort, and advice. We aim for our support groups to provide clients with opportunities to share their personal experiences and feelings, as well as coping strategies or firsthand information about diseases or treatments with each other. Our goal is to co-create an emotionally supportive community where you can feel safe to talk about your emotions and circumstances with others who understand your feelings and won’t judge or criticize you. We hope you also learn better coping strategies as you move through challenging circumstances.
Grief and Bereavement
The Grief and Bereavement Group serves VERG clients whose pet has passed away. This group meets twice per month to provide regular support and psychoeducation for those experiencing grief. This counseling service is complimentary, but space is limited. Registration closes at 1:00pm on the day of the meeting. Please register via the link below.
Caregiver Support
The Caregiver Support Group serves VERG clients whose pet has a chronic illness or condition. This group meets twice per month to provide regular support and psychoeducation for those experiencing caregiver-related stress. This counseling service is complimentary, but space is limited. Registration closes at 1:00pm on the day of the meeting. Please register via the link below.
In Memoriam
If you wish to share the life and legacy of your dearly departed animal companion, please submit this form and upload a photo here. By doing so, you give us permission to post your late pet’s first name and photo.
Pumpkin
Jack
