Welcome to the EASAV Peer Support Group Page

The group regularly meets virtually on the second Wednesday of each month!

      The link to the Zoom meetings will be sent by email to our website users 1-2 days prior to each meeting.

If you need someone from our team to connect with, we are happy to help!

Email us: easavpeers@gmail.com

Call one of us by phone:

Dr. Martin Schiebel: (780)918-6103

Dr. Nancy Bruyere: (780)674-1754

Smokey Walters (RVT): (780)913-3789

Q: Who is this group for?                                                 

A: For all those who work in the veterinary profession and are searching to receive or provide peer support for issues such as: 

• stress

• work-life balance

• work challenges

• personal problems

• ethical/moral dilemmas

One of this program’s basic principles is that of confidentiality. Meetings and conversations will be kept confidential; those present or spoken to will be asked not to disclose to anyone whom we see or what we hear while at the meetings.

Each session is co-facilitated by one of the following team members: Drs. Martin Schiebel, Dr. Nancy Bruyere or Smokey Walters, our Executive Assistant.  

We are not licensed counsellors and are not trained to give guidance on personal, social or psychological problems; we are veterinary professionals helping veterinary professionals and we look forward to helping our fellow peers!

Connecting veterinary professionals with mental health resources in the community

National and International Veterinary Wellbeing Resources, courtesy of Dr. Marie Holowaychuk

Local supports:

Suicide Support: Call 1-833-456-4566 (open 24 hours for calls) or text 45645 (text messages received and returned between 4 pm - 12 am only)

• this is a crisis line for immediate help when in crisis. It connects people to their local crisis centre

Mental Health Hotline Alberta 

• mymentalhealth.ca
• 1-877-303-264

Alberta Health Services Crisis/Distress Hotline

• Edmonton: 1-780-342-7777
• Calgary: 403-266-1605
• Anyone in Alberta can call either number. When you or someone you know needs to talk to a mental health therapist (i.e.: distress, talking about self harm, harm to others, suicidal thoughts/words)

211 - Dial 2-1-1 anytime, 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week. 

• with 24 hr support to provide resources to help with a stressful situation before it escalates into a crisis
• If calling from outside the 211 service areas (areas listed at http://www.ab.211.ca/communities served) 
• Dial either Edmonton: 780-482-4636 OR Calgary: 403-264-3388
• Online Chat available from 12 – 8pm MT daily
• 211 Alberta connects you to social services in your community. They use the inform Alberta database to search available supports for the caller's needs

List of Crisis centres in Alberta

• http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/need-help/looking-for-local-resources-support/

Alberta Health Services Health Link

• 1-866-408-5465
• talk to a nurse about a mental health or physical concern in person
• 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week
• live person answers this phone

Alberta Mental Health Intake

• 1-780-342-7600
• to book a mental health assessment with an expert; recorded message only
• There is no live person who answers this phone

Mental Health Resources for livestock producers in Canada - domore.ag

Pet Safekeeping Resource Page


Veterinary-specific Mental Health Resource Links

CVMA Health the Wellness Resources

OVMA's i matter mental health resources for veterinary professionals



AbVMA Members 

Homewood Health

• for AbVMA member mental health support
• call 1-800-663-1142 - Press (1) for immediate crisis support, offered 24/7
• OR visit homewoodhealth.com