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Once your family veterinarian has made a referral, click here for information about scheduling an appointment.

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Social Work

When a pet is approaching its golden years, has been diagnosed with a severe illness, or is receiving hospice care, you may anticipate the end of life for your furry friend. While grief is a personal experience, you don’t need to face it alone and we have resources to support you.

In addition to offering pet loss support, our group assists pet owners experiencing grief. This is a feeling of sadness that occurs when your pet is facing the end of life. This could be due to a sudden or terminal illness or aging.

Grief Resources

Helping Yourself Heal When A Pet Dies
Coping with Losing a Pet
Help Grieving over the Sudden Loss of a Pet
Coping with Sudden and Unexpected Pet Loss
The Journey Through Grief: The Six Needs of Mourning
Grief Support Center
APLB Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
https://grief.com/
Tender Hearts
Grief Recovery Houston
Bo’s Place
Grief Counseling
Community of Faith
Grief Share

At Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, our veterinary social workers focus on the emotional needs of pet owners. We understand that a pet is more than just an animal in your home, they’re a member of your family. When a pet dies, there is an empty space in our lives and hearts. Whether your animal companion lived an active life for many years, was only with you for a short time, or was taken in the prime of life by a sudden accident or illness, the sorrow we feel when a pet passes away is real and often substantial. At this time, we may find ourselves struggling to cope.

We provide the following support resources:

  • Telephone or in-person counselling and education
  • Guidance in decision-making for treatment
  • Support group meetings
  • Materials on grief management

Teresa Stringer, staff

THERESA STRINGER, LCSW-S, LCDC
Veterinary Social Work Internship Program Manager
theresa.stringer@gcvs.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions.

Appointments

If you are experiencing an emergency with your pet and your family veterinarian is not available, our hospital is open 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM for walk-in emergencies. For more information, click here.

Please check in at the reception desk for the department your appointment is scheduled with and let them know you have arrived. At that time, please hand them all pertinent medical records, radiographs and any forms you have already completed.

After you check in with the receptionist, the doctor and their technician, will meet with you and your pet to perform a physical exam, obtain a complete medical history, and evaluate your pet’s condition. The doctor may also perform additional examinations or diagnostics in one of our diagnostic areas.

At this point, our team will put together an assessment of your pet’s treatment options, plans and costs. The doctor and technicians will discuss this assessment with you, and together you will agree to a treatment plan for your pet.

  • Please check in at the reception desk for the department your appointment is scheduled with and let them know that you have arrived.
  • Please bring all pertinent information with you, including all forms you may have completed, any medical records not previously provided by your family veterinarian, and any radiographs you have been provided.
  • Please continue all medications as previously prescribed and scheduled by your family veterinarian. You may also bring those medications with you to your appointment so that we can have a copy of what medications you are currently administering.
  • We ask that you withhold food from your pet for 12 hours prior to your appointment. This will give us the opportunity to perform potential diagnostics without concern. In cases of young patients, or patients with diabetes, please consult with your family veterinarian before withholding food, or feel free to call us for further information.
  • Please do not withhold water; this will not interfere with our ability to perform diagnostics.
  • All recommendations are based on a typical referral. Please disregard if directed otherwise.

We recommend that you download our new patient forms to help expedite your check in process. These forms can be found under our Specialties page within each individual section.

Patients are referred to GCVS by their family veterinarian. Typically your veterinarian will call or send us information collected on a referral form. The form will give us a brief history and describe your pet’s problem, as well as identify the appropriate specialty department to see your pet. Once your family veterinarian has made a referral, please call 713-693-1111 to schedule an appointment. You can also email us at info@gcvs.com.

General FAQ

In an effort to allow us to focus on the special and emergent needs of our patients, we do not provide routine or wellness care.

Our goal is to ensure all patients undergo a smooth recovery. Please check with your doctor or technical staff member who is assisting you to see if visitation of your pet is recommended.

For clients with non-emergency questions or concerns please call us at 713-693-1111.

Or you can always email info@gcvs.com.

We feel that you, your veterinarian, and GCVS are all part of your pet’s health care team. Once we have seen your pet here at GCVS, we then fax/email information over to your veterinarian so that they can keep their medical records up to date. We also consult with your veterinarian by phone as needed throughout the course of your pet’s treatment.

There are instances where your veterinarian may feel that your pet will require advanced diagnostics, intensive care and/or specialized treatments that he/she may not be equipped to provide. We are fortunate to be able to offer our patients special diagnostic options, consultations with other specialists, and 24 hour monitoring in an intensive care setting.

If you are concerned about your pet’s health, please contact your primary veterinarian. He/she will determine the best course of action. If your veterinarian decides that a referral to our hospital is appropriate, your vet will then complete a referral form and ask you to contact us to make an appointment.

Prior to scheduling an appointment with a specialist, you must be referred by your veterinarian.* Typically, your family veterinarian will call us to go over your pet’s medical information. Then, either you or your vet will schedule an appointment to see one of our doctors. If you are experiencing an emergency with your pet and your family veterinarian is not available, you may come directly to our hospital and be seen as an emergency. 

*Avian/Exotics department serves as primary care for these species and do not need a referral to be seen. Please visit the Avian/Exotics page for more information.

A family veterinarian and a veterinary specialist both have earned their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), requiring an undergraduate degree, 4 years of veterinary college, professional training and then successful completion of the state and national licensing boards.

A veterinary specialist has typically completed 4 additional years of specialty training. This includes a 1-year internship and a 3-year residency program in a particular practice area, i.e. Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Oncology, etc. To become board-certified, these candidates must also pass rigorous training and testing requirements. Graduates are called Diplomates.

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