The Veterinary Human Support Certificate provides education for animal related professionals on the four areas of Veterinary Social Work.
Eligibility
This certificate program is for animal-related professionals who have some form of health related state registration or license (DVM, LVT, etc)
If one does not have a state registration or license, they may apply for the certificate if they meet one of the two criteria below. These applicants will need to have 2 letters of recommendation sent on their behalf on top of the standard application materials.
- Animal related professional who has an associate or bachelor degree in any field AND has been in animal related field 5+ years
- Animal related professional with a bachelor degree in animal related field AND has been in animal related field 2+ years
Certificate Overview
Modules: Online, self-paced, year-round availability
- Social Work Values, Ethics, and History
- Compassion Fatigue and Conflict Management
- Animal Related Grief and Bereavement
- Animal Assisted Interventions
- The Link Between Human and Animal Violence
- Ethics and Moral Stress
- Advanced Techniques for Human Engagement
- Advanced Techniques for Human Management
- On boarding in Mental Health
Supervision Sessions: Online video conference
- 7 sessions (All sessions required)
- Progression of cases, with assignments
- Hosted once a year. Dates TBD.
Keystone Project: Proposals can be submitted after completion of related modules
- Participants must complete a keystone project that requires at least 250 hours of service learning. This piece of the certificate requires participants to take their new knowledge and turn it into action at a location of their choosing. The keystone component is flexible and is designed to help participants develop relationships and begin the process of making their goals come into being.
- Submit your Keystone proposal.
Workshops: 3 workshops
- Emotional CPR workshop
- Hosted once a year. Dates TBD
- 2 or 3 days depending
- Online via zoom
- Veterinary Human Support Intensive
- Hosted once a year. Dates TBD
- 5 days
- Online via zoom
- 3-day International Veterinary Social Work Summit
- October, biennially (2020, 2022, 2024, 2026)
- Location TBD
- Final step in the certificate
Disclaimer: Completion of this certificate does not qualify one to become a mental health professional. If you are interested in becoming a mental health professional, check out the Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program for University of Tennessee Master of Science in Social Work students.
Apply Now
Applications are accepted year-round. You can apply any time. You will need a letter of intent, resume, professional license number if applicable, transcripts, and photo to complete this application. Some applicants will need to submit 2 letters of recommendation. The review process typically takes 4 weeks once all materials are received. For additional application information, click the apply now link.
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