Making challenging decisions for your pet: Support when you need it the most
Navigating tough decisions regarding your pet can be a heavy weight to carry, but you don’t have to do it alone. Argus Wellness and Support helps clients make informed decisions for their pet’s treatment.
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Argus Wellness and Support is a specialized service of the CSU Veterinary Health System, offering support to help you make informed decisions about your pet’s medical treatment.
Whether it’s your pet’s first appointment, an upcoming surgery, or you’re faced with a difficult decision that feels too heavy to bear alone, the Argus team is here to help guide you through your options. Argus began in 1984 to help provide emotional support to clients whose pets were undergoing surgery. From that moment on, it has flourished to become a safe place for pet owners of all kinds: horses, goats, dogs, cats, and exotics at any stage of life.
Resources available to you
When our pets are sick, those moments can feel overwhelming and can sometimes make it hard to make decisions. The Argus team wants to be that bridge to help you review treatment options and show you the resources that are available. Having another presence can be helpful and speaking to the non-medical members of the Argus team can often feel like a safe space to share what’s on your mind.
“This service is for whatever is making you concerned, anxious, or if you’re having a hard time with what’s going on with your animal,” said Erin Allen, M.S.S.W., clinic support service associate director of Argus Wellness and Support. “We want to be there to support and provide any updates or connections that we can.”
Services offered:
- Helping you evaluate treatment options for you and your pet
- Providing updates during surgeries and high-risk procedures, as well as continued support throughout recovery
- Helping assess your pet’s quality of life
- Guiding difficult discussions with family members and children
- Assisting with end-of-life decision-making and providing support during euthanasia
- Providing short-term grief counseling
The human-animal bond
The bond we form with our pets is special. The Argus team is grateful to have the opportunity to watch the connections that people have made with their animals.
“Being witness to so much of that shared love is pretty incredible,” said Maria Gore, M.S.W., director of operations and program services for Argus Wellness and Support. “Even when it’s sad, seeing that bond between the pet and the family members, it just feels like a gift to be able to be part of that.”
Allen and Gore have carried with them the memories of clients expressing deep gratitude over the years. For them, it is amazing to see the connections and long-lasting impact that has been made.
“Experiencing the loss of my own pets gives me even more compassion and empathy to realize what people might be going through,” said Gore.
Whatever circumstance you might find yourself with your pet, Argus Wellness and Support is here to meet you exactly where you are.
Clients who are interested in receiving support from the Argus Wellness and Support team can ask their medical team to introduce you, or you can email [email protected]. Learn more about the services offered by Argus Wellness and Support.