In conjunction with celebrating the 20-year anniversary of Veterinary Social Work at the University of Tennessee Colleges of Social Work and Veterinary Medicine, a new book titled The Comprehensive Guide to Interdisciplinary Veterinary Social Work was recently published, with UTCSW’s Research Associate Professor Dr. Pamela Linden as co-editor. The book, published by Springer, has contributions from UTCSW Faculty and Founder of Veterinary Social Work Dr. Elizabeth Strand, as well as the Chair of Veterinary Social Work Education Dr. Bethanie Poe. Additionally, Dr. Aviva Vincent, assistant teaching professor at Syracuse University, Director of program, quality at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, and co-owner of Healing Paws LLC, a veterinary social work practice in Ohio, and Director of Veterinary Social Work for the Program of Pet Health Equity at UTK College of Social Work Augusta O’Reilly lead the Animal-Assisted Intervention module of the veterinary social work certificate program and co-authored the Animal Assisted Intervention chapter of the textbook.
The book responds to the needs that arise at the intersection of people and animals, focusing on human-animal interaction, human-animal studies, the emotional work of caring for animals, and animal-assisted interventions and therapies. Unlike many works that focus primarily on issues at the micro level, such as animal-assisted interventions, this volume is unique in its focus on issues arising at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, encompassing human-animal issues and interactions at the level of individuals and family, groups, institutions, and communities.
“This comprehensive guide addresses the need to better prepare practitioners to work in interdisciplinary environments,” Linden explained. “Whether that be in the context of theory, research, practice, or advocacy. The book describes the interdisciplinary foundations of veterinary social work, with contributions from social workers, psychologists, veterinarians, physicians, anthropologists, and bioethicists.”
The volume is divided into five parts that examine the foundations (history and scope) of veterinary social work; the practice of veterinary social work with individuals, in the context of community programs, and in social work practice; veterinary social work and the veterinary setting, including veterinary well-being and conflict management; veterinary social work education; and the future of veterinary social work.
The volume addresses not only practice issues in the veterinary, clinical, and community settings, but also examines ethical concerns in the clinical and research contexts and the implications of cultural and societal variations on the practice of veterinary social work.
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Contact:
Angela Thomas
(865) 974-8638
athom165@utk.edu