Vet school isn’t always easy. But it’s worth it. We offer our students a variety of resources to support them on their journey.
Counseling Services
The purpose of Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at the College of Veterinary Medicine is to provide safe, confidential, compassionate support and mental health services to University of Georgia veterinary students, interns and residents.
We believe that having an embedded location within the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) allows us to have a unique opportunity to not only support student well-being and success through individual counseling; but also, to provide consultation and outreach, increasing mind-body wellness throughout the college as a whole. As in all of our locations, we have a strong commitment to diversity and strive to create an environment that is multi-culturally aware and welcoming to all people.
How can I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment with either of our embedded counselors, Stevie Stigler, LPC or Liz Cheely, LCSW, schedule online in the UHC Patient Portal or call CAPS at 706-542-2273. Counseling offices are conveniently located at each Vet Med campus; Stevie Stigler’s office is at the CVM (3580A) and Liz Cheely’s is at the VMC (2168). When scheduling, make an appointment with the coordinating counselor at the location of your preference (e.g., if you would like to meet at the CVM, choose Stevie Stigler when scheduling online).
Meet your Counselors
Wellness Committee and Spaces
The College has a wellness committee comprised of faculty, staff and students who plan and host wellness events – from yoga and knitting to hiking and massage days – and bring in guest speakers to educate students on topics such as work/life balance, networking, and financial literacy. In addition, the CVM class schedule includes “Wellness Wednesdays”, a day without morning classes each week where students have time to focus on themselves.
The College also has two dedicated wellness spaces — one at the CVM main campus building and one at the veterinary teaching hospital — that are used for wellness events and serve as a space for quiet reflection during the sometimes stressful class/work days.
Bulldawg Support Network (BSN)
The Bulldawg Support Network (BSN) is a network of trained peer supporters at the College of Veterinary Medicine. They are available to anyone that needs some extra help or support. They are not counselors, but are aware of professional services available at the CVM and in the greater Athens community.
Tutors
The Office of Academic Affairs offers free tutoring for students in the first- or second-year curriculum. Our tutors are current DVM students that performed well in the specific course. Most tutoring sessions are done in a group setting.
Committed to Safety
The College recognizes the value of maintaining a culture of safety for its students, faculty, and staff. To ensure that safety is addressed as a priority, the Office of Academic Affairs and the College Safety Committee ask that individuals with suggestions or concerns related to safety provide feedback via a web form. Note: If you are outside of the UGA campus network, you must first connect to the VPN before you can access the form.