Heart Dogs and Healing: Experiences with Lisa Wiborg

Lisa with Lincoln

I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Wiborg, a veterinary social worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. I’d previously observed her speaking at an AVC Circle webinar, which is a free community space focused on improving access to veterinary care. The session, Access to Comfort: The Pet Loss Conversation, began with how to approach end-of-life discussions with pet owners but soon turned toward the painful reality of financial hardship.

During the webinar, Lisa quoted IAVSW board member Claire Johnson, who shared, “What you’re able to afford has no reflection on the amount of love you have for your pet.” That quote stuck with me. It was powerful and deeply human. I immediately thought of a friend who had faced that same heartbreaking situation and how much comfort those words could have brought. When I learned I’d be interviewing Lisa for this blog, I was genuinely excited to continue that conversation with her.

I’m starting to notice a trend amongst veterinary social workers as like many other interviewees, Lisa is a well-rounded and endlessly passionate about her work. With 19 years of experience in social work, her background includes hospice and dementia care, and she now wears many hats as a veterinary social worker. She’s also a proud poodle lover. I got to meet two of her three dogs during our interview, the third was napping under her desk. Lisa’s work is inspired by her “heart dog,” Scrabble, who showed her the true depth of the human–animal bond.

Q. Can you tell us about Healing Paws and It’s mission?

Lisa shared that after receiving her Veterinary Social Work Certificate, she struggled to find jobs in Ohio that matched what she was looking for. At the time, she also wasn’t entirely sure what direction she wanted to take within veterinary social work. Originally, Healing Paws LLC was intended to be a private practice when she started it in 2017, but it has since evolved into a space focused on education, supervision, and hosting workshops to raise awareness about the field. As Lisa described it, “Yeah, I think it's kind of a smorgasbord of different things.”

Q. What is it like coordinating events and opportunities for practitioners such as the Access to Veterinary Care Circle?

Lisa shared that the University of Tennessee’s Center for Veterinary Social Work received a grant from the ASPCA, which led to the creation of AVC Circle. She explained that the platform “encourages people who are actually doing the work all over, whether it's in a shelter, a humane society, or a small organization just getting off the ground, to help improve access to care and bring folks together so that we can connect people all over the U.S.”

She shared how much she values the chance to hold space for others to share their stories and experiences, and how she continues to learn through hosting the webinars. One topic that stood out to me was the discussion on pet ambulances, something I had never heard of before. Lisa explained that, just like human emergencies, pets sometimes need urgent transport, but most pet ambulances are privately contracted and do not accept pet insurance. This creates another barrier in access to veterinary care, one that she hopes will be bridged in the future.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about Scrabble's story and how that relationship shaped your passion for veterinary social work?

Lisa and Scrabble

Lisa’s story about her dog, Scrabble, was incredibly touching. She adopted Scrabble while she was in graduate school for her MSW. She told me she had gone to the shelter with a friend who planned to adopt, but the moment she saw Scrabble, she knew that dog was meant to be hers. Lisa described Scrabble as the love of her life, saying, “She really taught me what the depth of a human–animal bond could be. That dog made it so evident that vet social work is my passion.”

We talked about what it’s like to have pets in your twenties. There is something so special about navigating that time of self-discovery while also raising your first “fur baby.” Scrabble was with Lisa through so many milestones such as school, marriage, and career changes. I mentioned a phrase that both of us connected with: “We were girls together.” I first heard it in a TikTok audio, but it comes from Toni Morrison, describing the deep bond and shared growth that define a unique kind of companionship.

Q. How has your experience in hospice care compared to supporting pet parents at the end of their animals’ lives?

Lisa shared from her own experience, explaining that grief over a pet’s loss is deeply tied to family dynamics because our animals truly are part of our families. She talked about losing Scrabble and how, afterward, she formed a support group she affectionately calls the “Grief Girls.” They still stay in touch, even a year later. Lisa spoke about how the loss of a pet is often overlooked, even though it can feel just as painful as losing a family member.

She discussed how, unlike human hospice, end-of-life care for pets often requires pet parents to make the difficult decision of when to euthanize. This can leave many feeling responsible for their pet’s death, but Lisa helps them reframe it as an act of love and mercy, saving their companion from further suffering. She noted that many people experience the same pain watching a loved one suffer without relief, and that both forms of grief deserve understanding and compassion.

Lisa also spoke about how financial barriers can prevent people from memorializing their pets. Euthanasia, cremation, or keepsakes like paw prints, fur clippings, or urns can be costly, leaving some without anything tangible to hold onto. She emphasized how important it is to improve access to care and compassionate options during these moments, sharing, “Not everyone gets that final moment with their pet. Sometimes they can’t afford cremation or paw prints, and that part really breaks my heart, because those small things matter so much in grief.”

Q. What advice would you give to students or early-career social workers interested in veterinary social work?

Looking back, Lisa said she wishes she had known more about veterinary social work earlier in her career. She encourages future social workers to explore it at some point in their studies. I’ve been lucky to have that opportunity myself through this internship and blog. Lisa reminded me that social work is an incredibly versatile field and that there is always room to grow and change. As she put it, “Find what gives you passion, and if you get tired of something, guess what? There’s so many other options out there.”

Q. Do you have any books or podcasts to recommend to our readers?

Lisa recommended The Loss of a Pet by Dr. Wallace Sife, noting its usefulness for all ages, mentioned the film Homeward Bound and Where the Red Fern Grows as media that deeply explore the human–animal bond. “The Loss of a Pet… talks about all developmental ages, how to talk to kids, how to normalize it, how to support them in grief.”

Lasting Impressions

This interview with Lisa was truly moving. Her story and Scrabble’s lasting impression on her heart are at the core of everything she does, and you can feel that love and purpose in every word she shares. Through her work, Lisa continues to honor Scrabble’s memory, ensuring that her impact lives on in the compassion she brings to others. I also connected deeply with Lisa when we spoke about unhoused and at-risk communities, and it was inspiring to hear how she continues to raise awareness and create space for those conversations through her work with AVC Circle.