Thank you for this incredibly insightful and practical advice. I really appreciate the emphasis on cross-sector collaboration and the variety of creative approaches you've laid out-it's reassuring to know there are multiple pathways to begin integrating a social work lens into animal welfare work.
I am especially intrigued by the potential of partnering with local or regional foundations and tapping into networks focused on violence prevention and housing security. The idea of centering the human-animal bond as a unifying theme across funders is powerful-and something we definitely want to lean into more intentionally in our proposals.
University partnerships and shared positions between rescues are two strategies I haven't explored yet, but both seem promising for building capacity in a sustainable way. I also love the idea of skilling up our current team with targeted training to help embed this perspective into our everyday work while we build toward a more formal role.
Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2025 11:11 AM
From: Dillon Dodson
Subject: Community Conversations - 4/7/2025 - Integrating Social Workers Into Animal Welfare
Hi Aaron, and hello to the team at Sol Dog Lodge!
Your question about funding is one I hear often from organizations interested about integrating a social work lens into animal welfare. A few considerations for where to start:
Local or regional foundations with an interest in community health, housing, or mental health are often very open to cross-sector innovation-especially when it aligns with One Health or violence prevention.
Look into grant opportunities through human service networks-especially those focused on family violence prevention, housing security, or underserved populations. When you centre the human-animal bond, your proposal often resonates deeply across multiple funders.
Consider university partnerships-you may be able to bring on a BSW or MSW intern through a placement or pilot project, which can help demonstrate impact before funding a permanent position.
- Consider posting a volunteer position specifically for a social worker who's interested in building out this type of role.
Some animal welfare orgs have had success including social work positions in municipal budget proposals, especially where the role intersects with community outreach or public health or safety.
- I have also heard of a rescues/orgs in similar geographic regions pooling their funds so they hire 1 social worker and share among their organizations.
- Hiring a social worker is a great step, but not the only option. You might also consider skilling up your existing team with some targeted training on how to support clients facing crisis, trauma, or systemic barriers, alongside building strong referral partnerships with local human service providers. This can be a great way to start integrating a social work lens into your work.
I admire your acknowledging your strength with dogs and the needs of the people who love them. That's the perfect foundation. You don't need to do it all at once-start small. Maybe it's building a relationship with a local social work program, developing an info guide to give out to clients on local resources, or hosting an info session with community partners about common barriers pet guardians face and seeing if they have interest/ideas on collaboration or even exchanging expertise.
You're absolutely on the right track. It takes bold steps to bridge these worlds, and I'd be more than happy to connect 1:1 if helpful.
Finally, please do consider reaching out to the International Association of Veterinary Social Workers; we'd be happy to speak with you about locating regional social workers in your area. Dillon Dodson ddodson@torontohumanesociety.com; www.iavsw.org
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Dillon Dodson
Toronto Humane Society
Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2025 01:58 PM
From: Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Subject: Community Conversations - 4/7/2025 - Integrating Social Workers Into Animal Welfare
Unanswered questions from the chat:
"Aaron Walker from Kansas Humane Society on the call today. Super excited about this topic. I'm hoping we can talk, in some way, about what resources might be available for funding a position like this in the animal welfare world." - Aaron Walker
"Sol Dog Lodge's mission is to support all dogs and the people who love them. We are GREAT with dogs! But sometimes their people need more than we can provide. We refer these people out to other organizations, of course. But we also feel that we could do better if we had professional social worker staff. That's a big leap for us! So where might we start???" - Mary Flores
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Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2025 04:23 PM
From: Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Subject: Community Conversations - 4/7/2025 - Integrating Social Workers Into Animal Welfare
Updated 4/7/25 at 1:35pm Recording now available to watch on-demand!
We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 4/7/25 at 11am PT for a panel discussion "Integrating Social Workers Into Animal Welfare."
Integrating social workers into the animal welfare sector marks an important step toward a more inclusive and compassionate approach to care that nurtures both human and animal well-being, within a framework of mutual aid. This shift reimagines traditional models, transforming them into resource hubs that support both animals and the people who care for them. By recognizing the shared trauma experienced by both humans and animals in crisis, this approach fosters a community-based, grief-informed perspective that values healing for all.
Through exploring the intersections of race, gender and economic justice, social workers are empowered to ask thoughtful, insightful questions, challenge ingrained assumptions and break down silos within animal welfare organizations.
This session highlights the importance of understanding trauma, grief and the historical effects of colonization on animal welfare practices, while also emphasizing the well-being of staff and proposing actionable steps that organizations can take to integrate social work principles and support healing in communities.
Maddie's Fund will also be announcing the March grant giveaway winners!
Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024
Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!
If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like. After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new April 2025 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-apr25-giveaway.htm
#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#EducationandTraining
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Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
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