ANS 110 - Intersection of Social Work and Animals

When were dogs first kept solely as pets?

3,000 years ago

True or False: There is a link between violence toward humans and animals

True

When was the link between violence toward humans and animals first recorded?

1200

When were animals first used for therapeutic purposes?

1792

What can pet companionship provide?

Increased life satisfaction, feelings of support and something to live for and decreased loneliness and stress responses

What is a major ethical struggle of veterinarians?

The ethical extent of treatment

What are different types of human animal interactions?

Assistance dogs, fields of study, observational programs/humane education and independent interactions

What are official areas of veterinary social work?

Links between animal and human violence, animal assisted services, grief and loss of an animal and intentional wellbeing

What are proposed additional areas of veterinary social work?

Animal hoarding and pet emergency preparedness planning

What areas does social work focus on with linked animal and human violence?

Looking at violence towards animals in children to identify red flags early and supporting domestic violence survivors who may be unwilling to leave due to threatened abuse or abuse towards animals

Are domestic abuse shelters usually animal friendly?

No but it beginning to become more of the norm

Why can’t any dog become a therapy dog?

They may react differently in different situations like at therapy offices or with other people

What treatments does animal assisted treatment focus on?

Occupational therapy, psychotherapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, counseling, clinical nursing and social work

Do all assistance animals have to be prepared, evaluated, trained and/or registered?

Yes

Can any practice bring in animals?

No, there needs to be a specific reason to

What does animal assisted education focus on?

Humane education, prison-based training programs, facilitated learning, animal assisted psychoeducation

What is the support focuses of animal assisted service programs?

Visitation in high stress areas, animal assisted crisis intervention, community service work, courthouse dogs for support

What situations does grief and loss focus on?

Guilt associated with euthanasia, disenfranchised grief and economic instability in agriculture

Who does grief and loss affect?

Both the client and the veterinarian

What can social workers do to support veterinarians?

Provide support and psychoeducation about stress relief and compassion fatigue and education about client emotional support, human-animal bond, cultural competence (especially with euthanasia and remains), grief and loss, communication strategies and overall well-being/coping strategies

What are greater factors of social work?

Practice, education, working within public policy, and current research

What is one welfare?

It combines animal welfare, human wellbeing and environmental conservation

How does one welfare differ from past practices?

It doesn’t only look at human welbeing, it looks at animal wellbeing and looks for their consent to make the experience the most positive for everyone