Elevating the level of medical care that animals receive during serious illness, and as death draws near.
Addressing the human needs that arise in relationships with animals.
Educating veterinary professionals in the areas of hospice, palliative care, serious illness communication, and professional wellness.
Enabling animals to live fully until their final moments.
Addressing the mental health needs of veterinary professionals, advocating for their well-being.
Expanding curricular offerings for veterinary students, changing the veterinary educational experience.
Dual professional veterinarian and social worker, Dr. Katherine Goldberg addresses human-animal relationships in veterinary environments, and other areas of connection or conflict. After almost a decade of clinical palliative care service delivery, Whole Animal is transitioning to a primary focus on consultation, education, and mental health support. Katherine's direct practice efforts are transitioning to clinical social work.
See the "Contact" page for more information.
Whole Animal is proud to be the only veterinary practice in the region, and one of very few in the United States, dedicated exclusively to serious illness, hospice & palliative care. Dr. Goldberg receives referrals for patients with complex medical needs, cases requiring expertise in serious illness communication, and families in need of emotional support.
A dual profession "hybrid", Dr. Goldberg is active in the continued development of the field of Veterinary Social Work. She is particularly interested in the role of animals in family systems, the impact of serious veterinary illness on human caregivers, and mental health support for veterinary professionals.
Give a man a fish or teach a man to fish? Support of Whole Animal means support of educational initiatives for the benefit of people and animals. Multiple layers of engagement are ongoing, from veterinary college curriculum development to professional conference programming to community events.