Veterinary Social Work Graduate Certificate
The Veterinary Social Work Graduate Certificate program offers a comprehensive foundation in veterinary social work topics, focusing on the knowledge and skills needed to integrate animals into social work practice in ethically sound ways and in accordance with the values of the profession.
Program overview
The University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program (VSW-CP) trains University of Tennessee College of Social Work MSSW students in the four areas of Veterinary Social Work:
- Compassion fatigue management
- The link between human and animal violence
- Grief and loss
- Animal-assisted interactions
The vision of VSW-CP is to produce professional social workers knowledgeable in the practice and skills necessary to help people through human-animal relationships in various settings and through various micro and macro practice methods.
Veterinary Social Work Oath
“Specializing in the interprofessional space of veterinary social work, I pledge my service to society by tending to the human needs that arise in the relationship between humans and animals. From a strengths based perspective and using evidence-based approaches within my scope of practice, I will uphold the ethical guidelines of my profession, respect and promote the dignity and worth of all species, and diligently strive to maintain mindful balance in all of my professional endeavors.”
Why get a Veterinary Social Work Graduate Certificate?
The Veterinary social work certificate program offers a unique chance to turn your passion for helping people and animals into a purposeful career. As the program that established the Center for Veterinary Social Work and collaborates closely with the College of Veterinary Medicine, you’ll be at the heart of pioneering research, interprofessional practice, and specialized training. This partnership gives you direct access to innovative resources, expert faculty, and a supportive community that prepares you to make a real difference in the lives of both humans and animals.
What can you do with a Veterinary Social Work Graduate Certificate?
Graduates are prepared for diverse roles that bridge social work and animal-related fields. Alumni go on to support clients facing grief or trauma related to animals, address compassion fatigue among animal care professionals, or create innovative programs that foster healthier communities through human-animal bonds.
Veterinary Social Worker
Veterinary social workers support clients and veterinary staff by addressing the human side of animal care. They provide counseling, crisis intervention, and resources for individuals coping with pet loss, animal-related trauma, or difficult decisions.
Animal-Assisted Therapy Facilitator
Animal-assisted therapy facilitators use trained animals in therapeutic settings to help clients improve emotional well-being, cope with trauma, and enhance social skills.
Grief Counselor (Pet Loss)
Grief counselors specializing in pet loss guide individuals and families through the emotional challenges of losing an animal companion. They offer support, coping strategies, and resources during the grieving process.
Crisis Intervention Specialist (Human-Animal Focus)
Crisis intervention specialists respond to cases involving both human and animal welfare—such as family violence or disaster situations—by coordinating care and connecting clients to essential services.
Advocate/Educator (Violence Prevention & Animal Welfare)
Advocates and educators raise awareness about the links between human and animal violence. They develop programs, deliver training, and promote policies that protect both people and animals.
Community Outreach Coordinator (Humane Societies/Shelters)
Community outreach coordinators partner with shelters or humane organizations to educate the public, connect clients to services, and build programs that strengthen human-animal bonds.
Featured Courses
SOWK 567 – Veterinary Social Work
Concentration elective on the introductory principles and applications of veterinary social work. Reviews research, practice settings, and policy needs in the four areas of veterinary social work: the link between human and animal violence, animal assisted interventions, grief and bereavement, and compassion fatigue.
SOWK 557 – Principles and Techniques of Mediation
Concentration elective course on the principles and techniques of mediation. Mediation is an alternative approach to dispute resolution in which an impartial third party, called the mediator, works with parties involved in a dispute in order to facilitate the peaceful and satisfactory resolution of the dispute.
SOWK 577 – Veterinary Social Work Capstone
The Veterinary Social Work Capstone Course provides a consolidated experience and cumulative evidence for VSW graduate certificate students to demonstrate the attainment of certificate program competencies.
Veterinary Social Work Field Education
12 credit hours in a field placement with a veterinary social work component.
Admissions & Aid
UT and the College of Social Work both offer a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans for qualifying applicants.
