The importance of veterinary social work

The field of veterinary medicine, which began back in 9000 BC with sheep herders, has certainly evolved over the last 11,000 years. Our veterinarians and technicians have multiple areas of interest they can explore, from general care to boarded specialties. Where there once were no certification programs, there are now hundreds! The desire to explore specialty areas in people-centered programs related to animal welfare is a newer phase of this evolution. Learning how to take care of our people that are taking care of patients is now just as much a necessity for a practice as having veterinary specialty services for their patient’s medical care. There are now veterinary-specific certification programs for compassion fatigue, the human-animal bond, and the topic of this article–veterinary social work. What is veterinary social work? Veterinary social work addresses human needs where veterinary medicine and social work meet. For decades, social workers have worked with needs in pet loss, animal-assisted therapy, companion animals and well-being, the importance of pets to the elderly, the link between interpersonal violence and animal abuse, social work implications of animal hoarding, and in veterinary hospital settings. While social workers have been an active part of human and animal-related issues, the term veterinary social work was first used in 2002 at the University of Tennessee (UT). UT was the first to create a program that filled in the missing link by solidifying and professionalizing this aspect of social work practice. Becoming a veterinary social worker The veterinary social work certificate includes four specific areas of study. Training in grief and pet loss, animal-assisted interactions, the link between human and animal violence, and compassion fatigue and conflict management. There are two ways to earn this certificate. For those currently holding a master’s degree in social work or other mental health-related fields, a post-graduate certificate is available. Those who do not hold a master’s degree in these areas would need to complete it first or complete the certificate requirements in the final year of their master’s in social work program. All certificate paths do go through a formal application process. Program completion timelines vary, largely, dependent on your current educational background and enrolment status. Postgraduate work may be completed in as little as a year for those who hold a master’s degree in social work, while those who are completing a full master’s program might spend up to five years completing all the requirements. Upon completion of the certificate coursework, those earning this designation take the Veterinary Social Work Oath. Veterinary Social Work Oath “Specializing in the interprofessional space of 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-based perspective and using evidence-based approaches within my scope of practice, I will uphold the ethical guidelines of my profession, respect and promote the dignity and worth of all species, and diligently strive to maintain mindful balance in all of my professional endeavors.” Suppose you are an animal-related professional looking to improve your skills and understanding in these areas, but are without the master’s degree requirements. In that case, you might consider the Veterinary Human Support Program Certificate. Completing this certificate does not qualify one to become a mental health professional. Those who wish to become a mental health professional and use the title “Veterinary Social Worker” would need to complete the formal education requirements. Resources and organizations supporting veterinary social work There are several resources that support veterinary social work and provide valuable information, resources, professional development opportunities, and networking platforms. University of Tennessee - Center for Veterinary Social Work (CVSW) The home of the world’s first veterinary social work program, the Center for Veterinary Social Work at the University of Tennessee offers counseling services, support groups, and educational initiatives. The Center for Veterinary Social Work was recently created because of a 37-year collaboration between The University of Tennessee College of Social Work and the College of Veterinary Medicine. You can watch the June 2, 2023, Center for Veterinary Social Work Celebration Kickoff on YouTube. Center for Veterinary Social Work Kickoff Celebration June 2, 2023 International Association for Veterinary Social Work (IAVSW) A global professional organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of veterinary social work, offering networking opportunities, educational resources, and professional development programs. National Association of Social Workers (NASW) A professional organization for social workers that offers valuable resources, continuing education opportunities, and a platform for networking and collaboration. While not specific to veterinary social work, they provide support to social workers across various specialties. Animal-Assisted Interventions International (AAII) An organization that promotes the ethical and professional use of animals in therapy. Provides resources, certifications, and educational programs for professionals involved in animal-assisted interventions. National Link Coalition An organization dedicated to addressing the intersection of animal abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse. Providing resources, training, and advocacy tools to professionals working in these fields. The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics (SVME) An organization that focuses on promoting ethics in veterinary medicine. Providing resources, publications, and forums for discussion on ethical issues within the field of veterinary medicine and relevant to veterinary social workers. The four main focus areas of veterinary social workers A veterinary social worker is a specialized member of a veterinary team that helps humans with their relationships with animals. The four main areas of focus are compassion fatigue and conflict management, animal-related grief and bereavement, the link between human and animal violence, and animal-assisted interventions. A veterinary social worker may support a client through grief from pet loss and help staff with stress management. Compassion fatigue and conflict management Animal-related professionals experience a high level of grief, stress, and trauma in their work. Due to the shorter lifespan of the animals they treat, veterinary teams experience death at a higher rate than human care teams. They also may witness neglect and animal abuse. These situations may result in compassion fatigue of veterinary teams. Veterinary social workers offer help with the precursors and the lasting effects of compassion fatigue. Someone in this role might teach grief accommodation skills, facilitate support groups, or provide individual consultation. Stress and trauma are high in veterinary medicine due to growing pet populations of unwanted animals and pet owners unable to pay for veterinary care. Someone in this role might teach stress management skills to support the team. People who love and desire to work with animals as a profession often feel more connection to animals than they do people. This relationship can contribute to higher instances of conflict in their work setting due to low conflict management skills. A veterinary social worker can serve as a mediator in these situations. Since social work is a human profession, someone in this role must put aside their own opinions about the animal patient and be a neutral presence to help individuals in conflict find common ground and work together more effectively. Animal-related grief and bereavement Veterinary social workers address the various needs that arise during the grief and bereavement process. This includes during a pet’s illness and treatment while making difficult decisions for treatment, during euthanasia, and after the pet’s passing. A veterinary social worker can provide support by helping to communicate questions and concerns from the client to the medical team, talking through the decision process, prioritizing family needs and the patient’s quality of life, communicating illness and possible death with the family’s children, providing grief support sessions, leading a pet loss support group, and connecting the family with additional resources. The link between human and animal violence The connection between violent crimes and animal abuse gained notice in the mid-1980s. This type of violence is most prevalent in domestic violence situations, where animals become victims, much like their humans do. Veterinary social workers play a role in preventing animal abuse by supporting animal control and welfare officers and organizations. Animal-assisted interventions Human-animal interactions (HAI), in various forms, have beneficial outcomes for humans. The distinctions between therapy animals, emotional support animals, companion animals, and service animals can be aided with the support of a veterinary social worker. They can also guide appropriate animal species selection, identifying active and passive animal roles and taking into consideration that the animal's needs are also being met. The identified areas of animal-assisted services include intervention, therapy, education, and activities. Roles and responsibilities of a veterinary social worker The following are potential roles and responsibilities a veterinary social worker could hold. Support for animal owners Emotional support: Providing a safe space for owners to express their emotions, concerns, and grief when facing difficult decisions related to their pets' care and end-of-life decisions. Education and counseling: Offering guidance on topics such as coping with chronic illnesses, managing pet loss, ethical considerations, and making informed decisions about treatment options. Crisis intervention: Providing owners immediate support during emergencies or traumatic events by helping them navigate emotional challenges and making critical decisions. Support for veterinary teams Compassion fatigue and burnout prevention: Assisting veterinary professionals in managing the emotional toll of their work, providing stress management techniques, coping strategies, and facilitating self-care practices. Interprofessional collaboration: Bridging the gap between veterinary medicine and mental health services by collaborating with veterinarians, technicians, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for both animals and humans. Ethical decision-making: Helping teams navigate challenging ethical dilemmas, facilitating discussions, offering perspectives, and ensuring decisions align with the best interests of animals and their owners. Animal-assisted interventions Animal-assisted therapy (AAT): Incorporating animal-assisted therapies by utilizing specially trained animals to support individuals' emotional well-being and enhance therapeutic outcomes. Animal-assisted activities (AAA): Organizing and facilitating interactions between therapy animals and individuals or groups to promote socialization, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall well-being. Benefits and impact of the veterinary social worker role Veterinary leadership teams are often forced to wear many hats. In a single day, a team leader might be a clinician, a financial manager, and the human resources department. The act of wearing many hats and the pressure to wear them well continues eroding well-being, leading to burnout, and fueling the mental health crisis. The addition of a veterinary social worker can take the pressure off leadership by wearing some of those hats. Much like using a surgeon for a specialty surgery or outsourcing your payroll services, adding a veterinary social worker can bear some of the burden and offer the skill and specialized approach our teams' and clients need. Notable benefits of the veterinary social worker Improved emotional support: Providing empathetic and nonjudgmental support to navigate the landscape associated with pets’ complex health conditions, end-of-life decisions, and traumatic events. Ethical decision-making: Offering education, resources, and counseling to empower individuals to make informed decisions that align with their values. Increased team resilience: Addressing emotional demands leading to compassion fatigue and burnout by implementing supportive programs, facilitating peer support networks, and promoting self-care practices. Ultimately contributing to enhanced well-being and job satisfaction. Ethical guidance and conflict resolution: Facilitating open discussions to find ethical solutions prioritizing the well-being of animals and their owners and caregivers. Human-animal bond preservation: Preserving and strengthening this connection through emotional support, education, and guidance, resulting in improved outcomes for both animals and their human caregivers. How common are veterinary social workers? The veterinary social worker designation was officially launched in 2013. Still a young program, it has yet to be a well-known specialty; however, experts report veterinary social workers continue to grow in popularity. The growth of this role on veterinary teams has occurred in specialty and emergency medicine and is more common in larger hospitals or hospital groups. As the number of social workers grows, it is anticipated this specialized role in practice will be accessible to smaller facilities and privately owned hospitals, likely through collaborative organizations. Future of the field of veterinary social work The veterinary social worker position has emerged as an invaluable resource in the current state of low team well-being and high suicide rates in this profession. By combining social work principles with a deep understanding of the human-animal bond, these professionals provide essential support to animal owners, veterinary teams, and other stakeholders involved in animal healthcare. As the field continues to evolve, the role will only grow in importance by addressing the intersection between mental health and animal welfare to ensure the holistic care and welfare of animals and their caregivers. Jamie Davis, CVPM, is a Practice Coach with Veterinary Growth Partners, providing support to veterinary practices to help them create and implement a strategic plan, navigate through challenges that arise, and supply tools and resources they need to achieve their goals. Resources Veterinary Social Work–About Us. https://vetsocialwork.utk.edu/about-us/ UT MSSW/VSW Certificate Program. UT MSSW/VSW Certificate Program–Veterinary Social Work. https://vetsocialwork.utk.edu/veterinary-social-work-certificate-mssw-students/ Veterinary Human Support Certificate Program. Veterinary Social Work. (n.d.). UT MSSW/VSW Certificate Program. UT MSSW/VSW Certificate Program–Veterinary Social Work. https://vetsocialwork.utk.edu/veterinary-social-work-certificate-mssw-students/ Center for Veterinary Social Work Celebrated. UT College of Veterinary Medicine. https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/center-for-veterinary-social-work-celebrated/ JAVMAnews. https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2020-06-15/social-work-expands-veterinary-hospitals

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