BluePearl,UT collaborate on field learning for veterinary social workersStudents in the Postgraduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program to gain real-world training August 28, 2019 BluePearl and the University of Tennessee (UT) College of Veterinary Medicine are partnering up to train social workers for careers in specialty and emergency veterinary medicine. As part of UT’s Postgraduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program (VSWCP), students will gain hands-on experience in veterinary hospitals across the U.S., with a focus on four key areas: the link between human and animal violence; animal-related grief and bereavement; animal-assisted interactions; and compassion fatigue and conflict management. Students must complete a keystone project requiring at least 250 hours of field learning. The collaboration makes BluePearl the first private practice in the country to offer field placements for students enrolled in this program. “This exciting collaboration serves two functions,” explains Lori C. Harbert, LCSW program manager, veterinary social work at BluePearl. “Students will benefit from having access to advanced training, working closely with veterinarians and clients in a large, 24/7 specialty and emergency pet hospital, and BluePearl associates will benefit by having some level of in-house support and wellness training. “Bringing in these students doesn’t solve all the industry’s problems, but it certainly says to BluePearl staff that we care about you, and says to the veterinary social work community that you matter, you have a place, and you can come here and we’ll help be a part of your training.” The focus on compassion fatigue and conflict management is in response to the high suicide rates among veterinarians. Students will be taught to turn their knowledge into action through building relationships. In addition, they will receive evidence-based trainings on issues such as coping with euthanasia, as well as grief and loss. “Every day, veterinarians and technicians endure a tremendous amount of stress and face ethical dilemmas sourcing from managing adverse events, interacting with clients, working in teams, and work-life balance,” says Elizabeth Strand, PhD, LCSW, founding director of veterinary social work at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. “Students in the program undergo an unparalleled level of training, and are able to support both pet owners and veterinarians in a clinical setting. We are proud to partner with BluePearl, who now plays a key role in allowing its hospitals to be a training ground for our students.”
SponsoredThey love them soYou know pet owners want to make sure they’re protected everywhere they go. + Learn more
Suggested Veterinary Products Client Engagement & Communication ServicesIs telephone congestion pulling your people away from doing their best work? Do you often have clients on hold or voicemail boxes that are full? Do you have...ULTRA 12040Hf Portable X-Ray UnitFeatures 40-120kV, in 1kV increments and with its ripple-free HFG system, you can shoot up to 120kV, 40mA with full logic control operation. It also provides high resolution imaging at lower...
SponsoredFeline urinary health—meet a simple solutionUrinary health is complicated, but the solution doesn’t have to be. Our products nutritionally support urinary tract and bladder health at any stage. + Recommend Today