Welcome to Veterinary Wellness Resources
The University of Pennsylvania and the School of Veterinary Medicine have a commitment to the wellness of our students, faculty and staff. Here are some resources available to help you feel supported and sustained by our community. Please let us know of resources that you've found helpful.
Page Buck, Dee Crandall, Heather Frost, Margy Lindem
Counseling Support
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Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)Counseling center for the University of Pennsylvania. CAPS offers free and confidential services to all Penn undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
CAPS @ PennVet
Location: Rosenthal Building, Room 122
Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 3p-7p
CAPS Counselor On-Site: Heather Frost, LSW, M.Ed
Services Available: Student individual therapy; consultation; connection to other resources
How to access:
- Call CAPS and select option 2 to schedule an appointment (request appt on-site at PennVet)
- Drop in whenever door is open to schedule appointment or meet briefly with counselor
- Email counselor to schedule appointment: hfrost@upenn.edu
CAPS@Penn (Counseling & Psychological Services)
Location: 3624 Market Street, 1st Floor
Hours: Monday/Friday 9a-5p; Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 9a-7p; Saturday 10a-3p
Phone: 215-898-7021
Website: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps/
Services Available: Student individual therapy; group therapy; medication; connection to other resources
How to access:
- Call and select option 2 to schedule an appointment
- Drop in during hours to meet with a counselor for support around a crisis or urgent issue
- Call and select option 1 to speak with a counselor immediately (available 24/7)
Heather is a licensed social worker who works with students around issues related to anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships, identity, and family dynamics. She has particular training in issues related to sexual health/well-being and working with the LGBTQ community.
Wellness Counselor - NBC
Location: New Bolton Center, Allam House
Hours: Tuesday afternoons and evenings; anytime on Friday. As time permits can be available on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and other evenings.
Counselor On-Site: Page Buck, PhD, LSW
Services Available (to everyone at NBC): individual therapy (as needed or on a schedule); consultation about situations related to work or personal life, referrals to and collaboration with other professionals, check-ins as needed.
To set up an appointment:
- Leave a voice or text message : 484-880-4931
- Email: page@partnerinwellness.com
Dr. Buck is a licensed social worker who works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, chronic illness, and general overwhelm. She received training in Veterinary Social Work from the University of Tennessee – a program designed to support the human needs that arise in veterinary work.
Wellness Events and Programs At Penn
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CAPS EventsWorkshops and groups
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Wellness Worklife for Penn EmployeesPograms and policies that help cultivate a culture of wellness and total wellbeing across campus.
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Employee wellness eventsWorkshops and training in wellness skills for employees
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Penn Wellness CalendarHours for CAPS main office, Meditation sessions and other campus wellness events
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Penn Wellness Facebook pageMore events and news
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CAPS Self-Help Tips & ExercisesFrom a wellness checkup to breathing and relaxation exercises, and tips on improving concentration and managing stress
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Campus Health Wellness programsSleep Well, Breathe Well (smoking cessation),Eat Well, Move Well, Sex Well, stress reduction and disease prevention etc programs
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Wellness Partners Directory of Referral ServicesDirectory of campus-wide programs that identifies faculty and staff who are knowledgeable about Penn wellness resources. [not updated]
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Take Your Professor to Lunch program.Build community by gathering with students. Instructors, advisors, and Penn staff of any department can host a class (or group of mentees) to eat lunch or dinner, twice per term, at one of Penn’s Residential Dining facilities (1920 Commons, Hill, King’s Court English College House, New College House, or Falk Kosher Dining in Hillel).
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NatureRx at PennLaunched by the Penn Center for Public Health Initiatives, NatureRx is a new program to engage Penn students, faculty, and staff to spend time in nature to reduce stress and anxiety, increase energy, and have protective, restorative time. One way to get out in nature is by attending one of their Weekly Themed Wellness Walks around campus.
Vet-specific Online Resources
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AVMA Wellness and Peer Assistance siteModules on Self-Assessment, Work & Compassion Fatigue, Stress Management , Financial Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance, Physical Health, Self-Care, Wellbeing Programs, and Sources of Help
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MightyVetMightyVet offers free, on-demand continuing education, mentorship programs, and resources to help veterinary professionals in their career and wellbeing.
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Banfield ExchangeThe Banfield Exchange offers resources and guides for overcoming compassion fatigue, fostering stress resiliency, and more.
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National Association of Veterinary Technicians in AmericaThe NAVTA Wellbeing Taskforce has compiled resources to help all veterinary team members actively create a life and career that is fulfilling, rewarding, and sustainable
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Mind Matters InitiativeThe Mind Matters Initiative is an initiative based out of the UK that aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all members of a veterinary team, including students, veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons and practice managers.
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I MatterThe Ontario Veterinary Medical Association has compiled resources and strategies for understanding mental health and wellness, including podcasts and infosheets.
Peer Support
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Not One More VetOnline international veterinary support group, founded by a vet. Hotlines to call, support resources and mental health and wellness postings by members.
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Vets4VetsVets4Vets is a confidential peer support group for veterinarians.
Video Series
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NAVC Video Series—Practical advice for mental wellbeing3 part video series, Banfield's Program Manager of Health and Wellbeing shares practical advice for those who need mental health support, and those who want to give it. Other videos cover different aspects of work-life balance, etc.
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VetMedTeamFree video series on wellness and career satisfaction topics from VetMedTeam. Requires free membership registration.
Recommended websites and videos
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Lynda.com videos on wellnessPlaylist of short videos and video courses on managing stress, avoiding burnout, mindfullness and meditation. Send us your own recommendations.
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Self-compassionMindful Self-Compassion combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. Self-assessment and exercises.
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Learn how to meditateAction for Happiness Meditation instruction
TED Talks recommended by Heather Frost
- The power of vulnerability by Brene Brown
- Listening to shame by Brene Brown
- What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? by Elizabeth Cox
- How students of color confront imposter syndrome by Dena Simmons
- All it takes is 10 mindful minutes by Andy Puddicombe
- How to make stress your friend by Kelly McGonigal
- There’s no shame in taking care of your mental health by Sangu Delle
- Don’t suffer from your depression in silence by Nikki Webber Allen
- How to connect with depressed friends by Bill Bernat
- Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness by Michele L. Sullivan
- How to ask for help—and get a ‘yes’ by Heidi Grant
- What I learned from 100 days of rejection by Jia Jiang
Books, Articles and Apps
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Coping with Stress and Burnout As a Veterinarian
by Call Number: Veterinary Library. SF756.28 .H36 2019ISBN: 9781925644197Publication Date: 2019-02-25 -
The Unspoken Life
by Call Number: Veterinary Library. SF613.P67 A3 2017ISBN: 9780998672601Publication Date: 2017-04-26 -
Vet cookbook : how to feed and care for the domestic human
by Call Number: New Bolton Library. TX 714 .V48 2017ISBN: 9780994607256Publication Date: 2017
Recommended articles
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8 Simple Ways to Improve Your Mood in 5 Minutes or LessResearch-based article from the Chopra Center
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The Rx for Imposter SyndromeChopra Center article on what it is, how to recognize if you struggle with it, and great, concrete suggestions for how to address it.
Apps
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Apps to handle Anxiety Stress & RelaxationRecommended apps from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Counseling Center
Relaxation Spaces!
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Green Spaces - Nature RxResearch has shown that time spent in nature can positively impact our health and well-being. This is an interactive map of parks, gardens, and other green spaces around Penn's campus!
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Kaskey ParkGet your 20 minutes in nature at the Biopond, south of the Goddard and Richards Laboratories. Enjoy benches, picnic tables, and a turtle pond in a landscaped woods.
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Wellness Room at the Biomedical LibraryRelaxation facility includes yoga mats, games, quiet activities to unwind. Site includes a relaxation playlist.
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Jigsaw puzzles in Penn Vet librariesPenn Vet libraries offer community jigsaw puzzles. Cast your vote for the puzzles you'd like to work on next.
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Rosenthal Basement LoungeSpace for vet students to unwind features games, gaming consoles, and foosball table.
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PennImmersive Library VR Headsets and VR RoomsBorrow Oculus Go or Smartphone VR headsets preloaded with VR experiences, relaxation programs, games and educational programs from Van Pelt Library or the Education Commons. For access to the Oculus or Vive VR rooms, please contact David Toccafondi, Vitale Digital Media Lab Manager.
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Amazon Prime Members loungeLounge for Amazon Prime members with TVs, video game consoles in the 1920 Commons, Locust Walk