Pet Caregiver Support
Caregiver Support Group
Caring for a pet with a chronic or life-limiting medical condition can be rewarding and is always an act of love and devotion. At the same time, the responsibilities of caregiving can take a toll, emotionally, financially, and socially. These stressors can make it difficult to be present for the time you have with your pet. We invite you to join our Caregiver Support Group to find community with others going through similar experiences and to learn strategies for managing stress, grief, and isolation.
All AMC clients may reach out to our Social Work Department directly for one-on-one support at Socialwork@amcny.org.
Meeting Dates
The group is free and open to the public, but space is limited. AMC clients are given priority admission. Registration ends at 4pm EST the day prior to the meeting. Please register via the link below.
Meetings take place on Zoom from 6:30 pm – 8 pm ET
Tuesday, July 21st
Tuesday, August 18th
Tuesday, September 22nd
Tuesday, October 20th
Tuesday, November 17th
Tuesday, December 22nd
Usdan Library
The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center provides trusted resources to support pet owners and caregivers as they navigate their pet’s health. These resources are designed to help you better understand your pet’s condition, treatment options, and ongoing care.
Explore the resources below, including written articles from the Pet Health Library covering common illnesses and care topics, all reviewed by veterinary professionals. You can also access recorded webinars on our YouTube channel, featuring AMC’s board-certified specialists and other leading pet health experts.
- The Usdan Institute Lecture Series (videos)
- The AMC’s Pet Health Library (written literature)
Resources for Animal Caregivers
General Caregiving Tips & Resources
- AMC’s Blog (written literature)
- Home Veterinary Technician Services (AMC PDF)
- How to Give a Pill to Your Cat (Usdan video)
- How to Be Your Pet’s Best Nurse – Dr. Ann Hohenhaus (Usdan video)
- First Aid for Pets: How to Prepare for the Unexpected – Dr. Ann Marie Zollo (Usdan video)
- Pet Caregiver Burden
- The Invisible Emotional Burden of Caring for a Sick Pet
- Managing Caregiver Burden for People with Pets
Senior Pets
- When Senior Cats Change: Understanding Feline Cognitive Dysfunction (AMC blog)
- Caring For Your Senior Pet – Dr. Carmella Britt (Usdan video)
- Arthritis in Pets – Dr. Leilani Alvarez (Usdan video)
- Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats as They Age (Acquired Heart Disease) – Dr. Samantha Kochie (Usdan video)
- Cognitive Dysfunction in Senior Pets – Dr. Pamela Perry (Usdan video)
- The Hidden Cost of Caring: Psychological Burden Among Caregivers of Dogs With Cognitive Dysfunction, Cancer, and Age-Related Decline
- Remember Me?: Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (book by Eileen Anderson)
Exotic Pets
Cancer in Pets
- Cancer in Pets – Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn (AMC podcast)
- Veterinary Oncology – Dr. Nick Bacon (AMC podcast)
- Helping Pets and People Through Cancer with Dr. Renee Alsarraf (AMC podcast)
- AMC – Oncology Blog Posts
- Navigating a Pet’s Cancer Diagnosis – Dr. Renee Alsarraf (Usdan video)
- Cancer in Dogs and Cats: What You Need to Know – Dr. Nicole Leibman (Usdan video)
- Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs and Cats – Dr. Jonathan Ferrari (Usdan video)
All Other Specific Conditions
- Browse the AMC’s Usdan Institute Lecture Series for various condition-specific webinars including kidney disease, tracheal collapse, IBD, seizures, and more.
- Tripawds Three Legged Dog and Cat Support Community