During the early 1990s, if a referral to a specialist in veterinary medicine was warranted, most practitioners would refer to the nearest school of veterinary medicine. At that time, there were a handful of mental health professionals operating programs within the schools, and there were only a handful of private specialty hospitals in the nation. Today, the majority of schools of veterinary medicine enjoy some type of services for clients and/or for the support of students and staff. Private specialty and emergency hospitals are now found in every major metroplex, and many are finding that their campus would benefit from a similar service for mental health as is present in academia. The practice of veterinary medicine has evolved with advances in medical technology, diagnostics, and treatments. Ethically, veterinarians must present a myriad of choices for diagnostics and for treatment to owners of sick or injured animals, but extensive treatment may not be in the best interest of the client and/ or the animal. All too often, financial considerations lead to the decision to euthanize an animal.
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