I created The Kinship Collective because I believe the bond between humans and animals is one of the most special and challenging relationships we can have. My work is to honor these bonds, for the individuals and families who experience them and the veterinary professionals who keep them going.

I got into veterinary social work in 2020 during the early pandemic, when I worked at Penn Vet. This was a unique job that put me in the middle of high-acuity crises along with deep, personal transition.

• For Individuals and Families: I worked alongside clients facing the complexities of anticipatory grief and the incredible heartache of pet loss. I witnessed firsthand how the loss of an animal feels as bad as the loss of any other legitimate family member.

• For Professionals: I supported onsite faculty, staff, and veterinary students at the University of Pennsylvania. I saw the impact demanding work weeks, the moral stress of triage, and the invisible labor that leads to burnout. I helped clinicians work through communication breakdowns and mind-body exhaustion at a time when we leaned into our pets more than ever, while the world felt like it was on fire.

That experience showed me that we need healthy vet professionals to have healthy pets. Now, I use my background as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to share clinical expertise with respect to the reality of modern vet med.

The Kinship Collective is a result of this experience, and it’s where:

• Veterinary Professionals find their internal safety net to continue the work they love.

• Hospital Leaders find the systems to reduce turnover and restore team functioning.

• Pet Owners find a compassionate, dedicated space to feel their grief.

While I am based in South Jersey, I support the veterinary community across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and beyond. For anyone carrying a heavy heart, there is a place for you here in the Collective.