Directions in Veterinary Social Work

Abstract

This article introduces readers to the emerging and growing field of veterinary social work. The article provides a definition of veterinary social work and presents an overview of current research findings relating to the various domains that comprise the field: animal-assisted interventions, the link between human and animal violence, animal-related grief and bereavement, compassion fatigue, and conflict management. Additional topics explored include the interdisciplinary nature of the field, the social work host settings, and relevant professional associations and organizations. Ethical issues arising in the practice of veterinary social work are discussed.

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.…”

“…To that end, in an article by Taylor, Fraser, Signal, and Prentice (2016), the authors not only acknowledge that social work is a human-oriented profession, but state that the field does not officially recognize animals as being sentient -despite an overall rise in animal-related interventions utilized by social workers and the development of the veterinary social work specialization. The social work-centric literature in this study pertaining to animals largely emphasizes that this profession has traditionally considered the utilitarian aspect of the human-animal relationship (Loue & Vincent, 2021;Arkow, 2020;Taylor, Fraser, Signal, et al, 2016;Ryan 2014). Ryan (2014) makes the related argument that animals themselves are largely ignored in social work practice, to the disadvantage of the profession and its guiding principles at large.…”

Nature-based interventions in social work practice and education: Insights from six nations

“…Furthermore, social workers globally have been involved in natural disasters, rural social work, environmental advocacy and creating sustainable communities (Dominelli, 2012; Gum, 2022; Ramsay et al, 2022). The profession of social work has also begun to focus on how it might better incorporate nature-based interventions such as adventure therapy, care farming, equine and animal-assisted approaches to improve client outcomes (Loue and Vincent, 2021; Tucker et al, 2013).…”