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What Is Veterinary Social Work? Interdisciplinary Opportunities for Social Workers

April 29 is World Veterinary Day

Photo credit: Pixabay/joannafotograf

by Alison Sutton-Ryan, DBH, LCSW, LISAC

     Interdisciplinary models of care are at the heart of the social work profession. In the past decade, other disciplines have increased their attention to the value of integrated models. With a BSW, MSW, and a doctorate in behavioral health including a focus on integrated and interdisciplinary care and 25 years clinical experience, I had not heard of Veterinary Social Work (VSW). It was not until I was tasked with developing the mental health program for a new veterinary medicine college that I learned about the challenges in the veterinary world. As Director of Mental Health for a college of veterinary medicine, I gained insight into the stressors and mental health challenges for veterinary professionals. Fortunately, I found the University of Tennessee VSW post graduate certificate to educate me on the evidence base of this interdisciplinary model.

     VSW increases access to care. We know that most individuals who experience distress do not first interact with a social worker. Instead, individuals go to the places incorporated into their daily life routines. Adding a social work presence to veterinary spaces can provide needed screening, education, and interventions to those who may not intentionally seek out that care.

     As integrated and interdisciplinary models of care gain attention, veterinary spaces are often overlooked. The International Association of Veterinary Social Work defines veterinary social work as “an area of social work practice that supports and strengthens interdisciplinary partnerships that attend to the interaction of humans and animals” (International Association of Veterinary Social Workers, 2022). This integrated model focuses on four components of care related to human intervention:

     Inclusion of the human/animal bond and impact of animals on the lives of humans is essential for a whole person model of care, as 70% of households—90.5 million homes—in the United States have pets (APPA, 2022). As many of us who have conducted hundreds of bio-psycho-social assessments, I admit that I did not include a full evaluation of the human/animal bond connections in my whole person assessment. I now understand the importance of this attachment as well as the potential for disenfranchised grief.

      Social workers hold the skill set to address the four components of veterinary social work. The Council on Social Work Education’s competencies align with each component. This opens new pathways for social work careers.

Grief and Loss

     Companion animal loss is often ignored and minimized by the mental health profession. Many who have lost an animal report disenfranchised and complicated grief experiences resulting from the lack of knowledge, training, and skill by social workers to provide effective evidence-based interventions. Social workers can address these experiences of grief and provide education on grief interventions. Veterinarians are also impacted by grief that is due to the burden of euthanasia. This topic directly aligns with the CSWE (2022) Social Work Competencies of:

     A case example includes working with a recently retired woman who sought individual therapy related to increased alcohol use and depression. In a review of losses, she reported a recent death of a beloved companion dog. This loss increased isolation, as she no longer participated in her daily visits to the dog park. This loss was no less significant nor life changing than a loss of a human companion. Social workers may consider assisting veterinary clinics with bereavement resources, offering animal loss support groups, or providing grief education for adults and children.

Compassion Fatigue and Mental Health of Veterinary Professionals 

     The veterinary profession experiences high rates of stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression. One in six veterinary professionals reported having experienced suicidal thoughts. Male veterinarians were 2.1 times and female veterinarians were 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population in the United States (Nett et al., 2015). Social workers can work to increase mental health screening, prevention, and intervention for veterinary professionals. The related CSWE Social Work Competencies include:

     The repeated exposure to euthanasia, isolation at work, and increased patient complaints can take a toll. For veterinarians seeking mental health support, there is often the additional burden regarding fear of impact on licensure for seeking care. As mental health professionals, we can consider the specific burdens and barriers to mental health treatment. Social workers can work to provide screening and interventions for veterinary professionals; suicide prevention trainings in veterinary spaces; and a range of needed prevention, education, and intervention services.

Evidence-Based Practice of Animal Assisted Interventions 

     Evidence-based animal assisted interventions include a range of activities and interventions. The need for information on the related terms, as well as legal, practice, and ethical considerations, is necessary to stay consistent with social work competencies and guidelines.  

     Social workers can provide education on the differences between emotional support animals and service animals, as well as the legal and ethical considerations. Information on interprofessional collaboration, including how to work with the appropriately trained animal professions ethically and legally, is necessary. The CSWE Social Work Competencies are: 

     Veterinary social workers address human needs in partnership with the experts who work with animals. Social workers may work along with equine therapy providers and programs offering therapeutic riding as part of a physical therapy treatment plan or offer approved visiting pet therapy programs for individuals in medical settings.

The Link Between Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence 

     Social workers have long been witnesses to the link between interpersonal violence and animal abuse. We have the skills and knowledge for the development of interprofessional practice and educational models for screening, prevention, intervention, and treatment of violence. Animal abuse and interpersonal violence often co-occur and intersect, yet professionals often do not have the tools to collaborate. Understanding of the intersectional barriers regarding reporting, access to shelter, and program development is essential. Related CSWE Social Work Competencies include:

     Consider the difficulties in seeking shelter when experiencing interpersonal violence. Now consider that one of your primary bonds may be harmed and killed if you leave the home. Addressing this link can increase safety for both humans and animals.

     There are many spaces in the veterinary and animal interaction world where social workers can contribute as interdisciplinary team members. Increasing awareness as to this specialty increases opportunities for social work career development. Interdisciplinary work is at the heart of our social work values, ethics, and practice.

Veterinary Social Work Oath  

Specializing in veterinary social work, I pledge my service to society by tending to the human needs that arise in the relationship between humans and animals. From a strengths perspective and using evidence-based practice, I will uphold the ethical code of my profession, respect and promote the dignity and worth of all species, and diligently strive to maintain mindful balance in all my professional endeavors. (University of Tennessee, 2022)  

Resources

International Association of Veterinary Social Workers

The National Link Coalition

University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work

References

APPA. (2022). APPA National Pet Owners Survey. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/pubs_survey.asp 

CSWE. (2022). Education policy and accreditation standards for baccalaureate and masters social work programs. https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/standards/2022-epas/

International Association of Veterinary Social Workers. (2022). IAVSW website. https://veterinarysocialwork.org/ 

Nett, R. J., Witte, T. K., Holzbauer, S. M., Elchos, B. L., Campagnolo, E. R., Musgrave, K. J., Carter, K. K., Kurkjian, K. M., Vanicek, C., O’Leary, D. R., Pride, K. R., & Funk, R. H. (2015). Prevalence of risk factors for suicide among veterinarians—United States, 2014. Mmwr: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 64(5). 

Additional Reading

Ascione, F. R., & Arkow, P. (1999). Child abuse, domestic violence, and animal abuse: Linking the circles of compassion for prevention and intervention. Purdue University Press.​ 

Faver, C. A., & Strand, E. B. (2003). Domestic violence and animal cruelty. Journal of Social Work Education, 39(2), 237–253.​ 

Newberry, M. (2017). Pets in danger: Exploring the link between domestic violence and animal abuse. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 34, 273–281.​ 

Riggs, D. W., Taylor, N., Fraser, H., Donovan, C., & Signal, T. (2021). The link between domestic violence and abuse and animal cruelty in the intimate relationships of people of diverse genders and/or sexualities: A binational study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(5-6), 3195.​ 

Skipper, G. E., & Williams, J. B. (2012). Failure to acknowledge high suicide risk among veterinarians. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 39(1), 79–82. https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.0311.034R 

Sutton-Ryan, A. (2022) Awareness of veterinary social work in veterinary professionals capstone Aproject. University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work Certificate.

Dr. Alison Sutton-Ryan, DBH, LCSW, LISAC, is a clinical assistant professor in social work at Salisbury University. She has 25 years of clinical social work experience, including maintaining a private practice as well as previous development of embedded mental health programs in colleges of health sciences including medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and public health.

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