We proudly honor John New, DVM, MPH for his foundational contributions to the concept of Veterinary Social Work and his role as a co-founder of the Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) program in 1986. Dr. New’s nationally recognized and visionary work shaped our understanding of the human-animal bond and fostered collaboration between veterinary medicine and social work in the early 80’s.
Dr. New co-authored the paper “Veterinary medicine and gerontology: a vital link”, emphasizing the connection between veterinary medicine and elderly care with two social workers. He also created the Pet Attitude Inventory to measure the human-animal bond and explored pet ownership in later life.
He and Ben Granger, Dean of the College of Social Work, founded the Human animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) Program in 1986. HABIT was one of the first animal-assisted interaction programs in the country and became a model for similar AAI initiatives nationally. Dr. New’s dedication to the collaboration between veterinary medicine and social work, including other topics such as the link between human and animal violence, animal-related grief and bereavement, and humane education, paved the way for Veterinary Social Work as a recognized interdisciplinary field.
Dr. New demonstrated the values of kindness, friendliness, innovation, conscientiousness, compassion, and dedication each day of his life. He was a staunch and balanced advocate for both people and animals. We stand on his legacy and are grateful for Dr. New’s enduring impact. We seek to emulate his values and extend his work in the Center for Veterinary Social Work.
