Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Announces Jamie Cohen, LCSW, as AMC’s Veterinary Social Worker
Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Announces Jamie Cohen, LCSW, as AMC’s Veterinary Social Worker
The world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital and NYC’s only Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center appoints full-time, on-site licensed clinical social worker to provide professional support to individuals and families
Press Release
New York, NY – July 25, 2024 – The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) announces the appointment of Jamie Cohen, LCSW, as the hospital’s full-time, on-site licensed clinical social worker to provide practical and emotional support for challenges that come with the illness or loss of a beloved animal companion.
“Veterinary social work has become an important subspecialty of social work that focuses on supporting the needs of the human side of the relationships between people and animals,” said Helen M. Irving, RN, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMC. “We are seeing a real need for resources and services with our pet parents and are thrilled to welcome Jamie Cohen, who will help these families navigate complex and often difficult moments in their lives, as part of our compassionate and expert team at AMC.”
Social work at AMC provides support both during and after a patient’s stay and helps to support pet parents and families in the following ways: helping families cope with an animal illness at home; making difficult end-of-life decisions; helping talk to children about an animal’s illness or death; facilitating discussions or meetings with an animal’s medical team; directing to community resources, including mental health services and pet-related services; providing educational resources about an animals’ diagnosis, treatment, or the grief/loss process; offering a free Pet Loss Support Group; and more.
“I am excited to be a part of the AMC team,” said Jamie Cohen, LCSW. “When I found out that AMC offered social work services to pet owners, I was so moved. For many, the loss of a pet can be even more intense than the loss of another human. As a pet parent of two furbabies, I understand that pets can become members of the family. I am happy to be able to provide support to those struggling as they navigate the challenges of caring for their sick pets, as well as grieving the loss of their beloved pet.”
With over 11 years of experience providing support to trauma survivors of all ages, as well as supporting individuals and families grieving the loss of a loved one, Jamie Cohen is an animal lover who understands how the human-animal bond can be life-changing. Her expertise is in crisis intervention, grief work, and trauma and she most recently served in the Victim Services Unit at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from Skidmore College.
Jamie Cohen lives in New Jersey and has two dogs; a shorkie (shih-tzu yorkie mix) named Izzie and a German Shepherd named Josette.
About the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Hospital of New York City
We are the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital with NYC’s only level 1 trauma center. Our team of 130+ veterinarians work across over 20 specialties to provide world-class medical care, and we are here for pets and their families 24/7. We are proud to have served the people and pets of New York, and beyond, for over 110 years. More at: www.amcny.org. Follow on Instagram @amcny, on X @amcny, Facebook at The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, LinkedIn, and YouTube @TheAnimalMedicalCenter.
AMC Media Contacts:
Shin-Jung Hong, ShinJung@nicholaslence.com | Cell: 617-413-7880
Pia Fischetti, Pia@nicholaslence.com | Cell: 516-287-5815