Meet the Team – Caregiver Support

Julie Gass, LICSW

Julie became the Veterinary Social Worker at Angell in May 2020. Before taking on grief and loss in the animal community, Julie worked with serious illness and grief in human medicine.  After finishing her second year internship as an Oncology Social Worker at the National Institutes of Health in 2017, Julie went on to practice Hospice Social Work at a hospice connected with Mount Auburn Hospital, where she provided end of life and bereavement support to patients and their families.  Working at Angell has given her the opportunity to combine her love of animals and her passion for helping people to heal from loss and trauma. When Julie isn’t at work, she is enjoying the company of her senior cat, Daisy, and engaging in hobbies such as hiking, birding and playing the violin.

Michelle Mezansky, MSW, LCSW

As a Veterinary Social Worker at the MSPCA-Angell, Michelle combines both practical and academic experience to provide support related to grief and loss, compassion fatigue, and caregiver wellness. Her veterinary career began in 2014 when she joined a 24-hour emergency and specialty referral hospital as a Client Care Liaison. Her love for animals drew her to this field, and her skills working directly with pet parents led her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2018.

While in school, she volunteered with a VNA & Hospice to explore her interest in end-of-life care for individuals living with neurodegenerative diseases. In 2019, Michelle completed her undergraduate internship at the veterinary hospital where she had worked for several years, now as a Social Work Intern. This opportunity solidified her desire to become a Veterinary Social Worker, and so she immediately pursued her Master’s Degree at Salem State University with the intention of becoming one.

Michelle’s graduate internship was with a local Council on Aging where she provided social services to promote older adults’ wellbeing. During this placement, she also focused on initiatives to support caregivers of individuals with long-term or terminal illnesses. After graduating in the spring of 2021, Michelle obtained her Social Work licensure and later joined the MSPCA-Angell team in fall of 2021. 

Michelle is a lifelong cat owner and currently has two orange girls named Clementine and Cappy. In her spare time, she loves going to concerts, traveling, and baking.