Veterinary Social Work (VSW) is gaining in recognition and popularity. Washington State University, known for its veterinary program, recently had a job announcement for a full-time veterinary social worker at its Pullman location. This employee’s primary responsibility will be “to develop and maintain a social work program for Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM ) staff, students, and their clients.”
We believe that veterinary social workers will be critical members of the animal welfare workforce in the future. This field recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond as well as the intersection of animal welfare with social issues.
What is veterinary social work?
Conceived and established by the University of Tennessee in the 1980s, veterinary social work requires a bachelor degree in social work or other related mental health degree. Practitioners support the relationships between people and animals in four broad ways:
Animal related grief and bereavement. Veterinary social workers (VSWs) support animal owners during diagnostic testing and can explain treatment options, including quality of life effects. They help navigate loss and bereavement before, during and after euthanasia, and can guide parents through conversations with children about loss. VSWs can provide information about pet cemeteries and pet loss support groups.
Compassion fatigue and conflict management. Here, VSWs support animal care professionals with their feelings of grief. They will act as mediators between the animal owner and the veterinary staff if relationships become strained. VSWs provide crisis support and intervention, and may train staff about grief, compassion and loss.
Human and animal violence. Practitioners can support animal control officers and others who deal with people that abuse animals. VSWs may be trained to identify and report intimate partner violence based on interactions with animal owners that have injured animals.
Animal interactions. VSWs can provide support for animal-assisted therapies and help with emotional support animals and service animals.
For more information, see ‘Caring for the people who care for animals’: Pursuing a certificate in veterinary social work