The 8th annual International Veterinary Social Work Conference was hosted at Cleveland State University September 12 through 14.  This event brought together many leaders and practitioners in the field of social work and beyond who specialize in needs related to the human-animal relationship.

Dean Stephanie Brooks of the Cleveland State University College of Health spoke briefly to kick off the day's events – she has supported Dr. Aviva Vincent (CSU School of Social Work faculty) in bringing to CSU the new Veterinary Social Work Certificate – one of only 3 such programs in the country.  Learn more about this new program at:  https://health.csuohio.edu/social-work/veterinary-social-work-certificate

Several service animals were in attendance as the relationship between humans and animals is at the core of this professional area.  One of them was Rocco (the yellow labrador retriever pictured) who is a service animal-in-training handled by Staicey Scholtz (standing, blue uniform shirt) from Canine Companions.

Some of the topics of the conference included:  animal-assisted interventions, keeping families together (including non-human members) in times of crisis, reducing veterinarian burnout, animal-assisted therapy, the role of veterinary social work at end of life, veterinary social work serving low-income or homeless pet owners.