ODL 338: Veterinary Clinical Work for Helping Professionals: Exploring the Human-Animal Bond

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 Clinical CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC –1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Created On:  5/2/25

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

4. Counseling Services

Overview:

Explore the innovative intersection of humans and animals in this unique course on veterinary social work. This class focuses on the human side of the human-animal bond, offering insight into how social work principles apply in veterinary and animal service settings. You’ll dive into four key areas of this growing field:

1. Grief and Loss – Understanding the emotional impact of losing a pet and how to support clients through this difficult process.
2. The Link Between Human and Animal Violence – Examining the connection between human aggression and animal cruelty, and the role of social workers in addressing this issue.
3. Animal-Assisted Interventions – Exploring the therapeutic benefits of animals in human wellness, and how social workers can integrate animals into treatment plans.
4. Compassion Fatigue – Addressing the emotional toll on veterinary professionals and animal service workers, and strategies for managing burnout.

Throughout the course, you’ll be introduced to a strengths-based perspective informed by evidence-based practices, equipping you with tools to enhance both human and animal well-being. Whether you’re a current or aspiring professional in veterinary care, social work, or animal services, this course will deepen your understanding of the critical connections between humans and animals.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Examine the human-animal bond and its impact on clients experiencing pet loss and grief.
• Identify the connection between human aggression and animal cruelty to inform intervention strategies.
• Develop strategies to prevent and manage compassion fatigue in veterinary and animal service professionals.

Presenter:

Krista Martin, MSSW, LISW-CP, LCSW, C-AAIS

Krista Martin is a clinical social worker who is passionate about embracing the human-animal bond and walking with others as they develop the skills necessary to prioritize their own wellbeing and then leverage those skills to build a better system for all.

Krista currently serves as the Special Projects Director for Veterinary Hope Foundation and operates M3 Counseling, a private social work practice specializing in veterinary social work.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Sciences from East Texas Baptist University and her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Krista completed the Post Graduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program through the University of Tennessee Knoxville and is a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist through the Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals.