Conflict Management and Veterinary Social Work

Animal Ethics, Animal Welfare, and Speciesism: Considerations for Social Work

“…It should be clarified that for the purposes of this article, we are specifically considering the subphylum Vertebrata (essentially those animals which have a backbone, such as ourselves) -which include the classes encompassing the fish (Osteichthyes), amphibians (Amphibia), reptiles (Reptilia), birds (Aves), and mammals (Mammalia). A particularly weighted look will be focused upon the mammals because they are the most common (but certainly not the only) nonhuman animals encountered in the social work field as the predominant animal companions of our human clients (Loue & Vincent, 2021;Arkow, 2020;Strand et al, 2012). At the same time, it is important to be aware that animal welfare extends well beyond this categorization based upon phylogenetic (or evolutionary) relatedness to ourselves and indeed, it can in principle be extended to other forms of life.…”

“…This limited conceptualization and emphasis of animal welfare in social work is somewhat counterintuitive as there are tens of millions of companion animals living in the United States (dogs, cats, birds, and others), comprising approximately 60% of U.S. households where most of these animals are considered to be family members by their owners (Arkow, 2020;Ryan 2014;Risely-Curtiss, 2010;Risley-Curtiss et al, 2010). For this demographic of Americans, these companion animals may hold a central place within the family system and thus are an important part of the lives of our clients and patients (Fraser et al, 2021;Holcombe et al, 2015;Strand et al, 2012;Risely-Curtiss, 2010;Mercer, 2007;Netting et al, 1987;Crocken, 1982). Is this in itself not a reason for a more progressive, open-minded stance towards animal welfare and expanded (i.e., nonhuman) notions of justice in the social work profession?…”

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“…This limited conceptualization and emphasis of animal welfare in social work is somewhat counterintuitive as there are tens of millions of companion animals living in the United States (dogs, cats, birds, and others), comprising approximately 60% of U.S. households where most of these animals are considered to be family members by their owners (Arkow, 2020;Ryan 2014;Risely-Curtiss, 2010;Risley-Curtiss et al, 2010). For this demographic of Americans, these companion animals may hold a central place within the family system and thus are an important part of the lives of our clients and patients (Fraser et al, 2021;Holcombe et al, 2015;Strand et al, 2012;Risely-Curtiss, 2010;Mercer, 2007;Netting et al, 1987;Crocken, 1982). Is this in itself not a reason for a more progressive, open-minded stance towards animal welfare and expanded (i.e., nonhuman) notions of justice in the social work profession?…”