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Full program description

*Do not purchase unless you have been admitted to the Veterinary Human Support Certificate Program. 

This option lets you pre-pay for 9 required online modules, supervision sessions, and VSW & VHS intensive, total cost $4,125, for a 10% discount making the cost $3,712.50.  The Summit must be paid for separately.  

Using this option, you will be enrolled in all of the required online modules. When you are ready to sign up for the live-online events, reach out to the VHS Certificate Coordinator, Dr. Bethanie Poe. 

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

    ** It is recommended to complete this training course first.

Supervision Sessions: Online video conference

  • 7 sessions (All sessions required)
  • Progression of cases, with assignments
  • Hosted at least 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.

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!