The Human-Animal Bond

Catalog description

This three-credit elective examines the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) and its importance to client and community health. HAB is a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both. This includes, but is not limited to, emotional, psychological, and physical interactions of people, animals and the environment. Veterinary Social Work is an area of social work practice that attends to the human needs that arise in the intersection of veterinary medicine and social work. Current issues in Veterinary Social Work will be discussed, including HAB in disaster relief, homelessness, and domestic violence, animal-assisted therapy, and grief counseling for pet Loss. Attention will be given to the importance of advocacy and promoting change in existing policies to incorporate the human-animal bond.