How to Become a Veterinary Social Worker: A Step-by-Step Career Guide
Veterinary social work has emerged as a specialized field just 30 years ago. The University of Tennessee launched the first program back in the 1980s, creating a unique profession that connects animal care with human emotional support.
Traditional social workers typically earn $58,380, while veterinary social workers can make up to $90,000 in leadership roles. This field blends social work with veterinary science to handle four significant areas: grief and loss, animal-assisted interventions, compassion fatigue, and the connection between human and animal violence.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the just need for veterinary social workers. Veterinary staff’s rising challenges with compassion fatigue and mental health have made these professionals more valuable than ever. Your calling might be veterinary social work if you want to help both people and animals through their toughest moments.
Want to become a veterinary social worker? Let’s explore everything you need to launch your career in this rewarding field.
Understanding Veterinary Social Work as a Career
Veterinary social work became a distinct professional field in 2002 when Dr. Elizabeth Strand founded the Veterinary Social Work (VSW) certificate program at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work. This specialized branch connects human emotional needs with animal care and tackles complex challenges at the intersection of human-animal relationships.
A veterinary social worker combines social work expertise with specialized knowledge of animal-related issues as a licensed mental health professional. The International Association of Veterinary Social Work describes this profession as “an area of social work practice that supports and strengthens interdisciplinary partnerships that attend to the interaction of humans and animals”.
These professionals work in four key areas:
- Animal-related grief and bereavement – Supporting people through pet loss and end-of-life decisions
- Compassion fatigue and conflict management – Helping veterinary professionals manage stress and prevent burnout
- The link between human and animal violence – Addressing animal abuse and its connection to interpersonal violence
- Animal-assisted interventions – Helping with therapeutic programs where animals assist in therapy, education, or rehabilitation
Dr. Bethanie Poe, Associate Director at the Center for Veterinary Social Work, explains that these professionals “study the spectrum of human-animal relationships” and blend this knowledge with “great communication skills, knowledge about mental health and trauma, and knowing how to connect people with the resources they need”.
The growing demand for animal-focused mental health professionals
The field has approximately 200 veterinary social workers nationwide, with numbers growing steadily. This growth shows increased recognition of the human-animal bond’s importance and emotional complexities in animal care.
In the last decade, colleges and clinics—especially corporate networks like MedVet and VCA—have hired more veterinary social workers. Universities have expanded their veterinary social work classes and certificate programs to meet this rising need.
The pandemic revealed how much mental health support veterinary settings need, as staff faced understaffing, overwork, and deteriorating mental health conditions.
Key responsibilities and daily tasks
Veterinary social workers handle many duties in a variety of settings. Their clinical work includes:
- Connecting animal owners with the veterinary medical team to ensure clear communication
- Providing crisis intervention and emotional support during difficult situations, including diagnoses and euthanasia
- Leading family discussions, especially with children, about pet illness or loss
- Running grief counseling and support groups for pet loss
These professionals support veterinary staff by:
- Teaching team members empathetic communication skills and de-escalation strategies
- Leading debriefing sessions after difficult cases
- Running educational seminars on compassion fatigue, stress management, and setting boundaries
- Creating wellness initiatives to prevent burnout
On top of that, veterinary social workers take part in community outreach, research on the human-animal bond, policy development, and educational initiatives. They work in veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, zoos, farms, schools, and anywhere humans and animals interact.
A practitioner in the field notes, “There are so many paths—it’s a blaze-your-own trail thing”, showing the field’s versatility and room for growth.
Educational Requirements for Veterinary Social Workers
The educational path to veterinary social work follows a well-laid-out progression. It starts with undergraduate studies and leads to specialized certification.
Bachelor’s degree options and prerequisites
A solid foundation in human behavior and social welfare principles starts your path to veterinary social work. Here’s what you need:
You should get a bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or related fields like psychology or sociology. A BSW gives you direct preparation, but other majors work too if they include coursework in:
- Human behavior and development
- Ethics and social welfare policy
- Basic psychology and sociology
- Research methods
A BSW isn’t always required for all veterinary social work programs. Still, it gives you an edge when you apply to graduate schools. Your undergraduate education builds the knowledge base you’ll need for advanced studies.
Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with animal focus
The MSW degree is the life-blood of veterinary social work education. This advanced degree matters because:
Most states need an MSW for social work licensure – a must for clinical practice. Look for ways to tailor your education toward veterinary social work in your MSW program by:
- Taking relevant courses in grief counseling, trauma-informed care, and community outreach
- Finding field placements or internships at vet clinics, animal shelters, or places that offer animal-assisted therapy
- Picking a healthcare or mental health concentration that fits veterinary settings
Several universities now offer MSW programs focused on human-animal interactions. To name just one example, the University of Denver offers an animal-assisted social work (AASW) certificate with their MSW program. Students can complete both at the same time.
Specialized certificates provide targeted training in veterinary social work’s unique aspects. You can get these after or during your MSW program. These certificates cover:
- Core content areas: Most programs teach the four pillars of veterinary social work:
- Compassion fatigue and conflict management
- Animal-related grief and bereavement
- Animal-assisted interventions
- The link between human and animal violence
- Program structures: You can choose from:
- In-person programs at places like University of Tennessee, which led the way in veterinary social work education
- Online, self-paced modules you can access year-round
- Continuing education credits approved by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Admission requirements: You’ll need to graduate from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program with your MSW degree for most certificate programs. All the same, some certificates welcome current MSW students.
Auburn University’s Veterinary Social Work Certificate needs 9 credit hours. This includes specialized coursework in veterinary social work practice and healthcare settings. Cleveland State University lets students complete the certificate within their regular MSW curriculum without extra courses.
These certificates don’t qualify you to work as an independent mental health professional. They are a great way to get specialized knowledge for credentialed social workers. Many practitioners take part in a Veterinary Social Work oath ceremony after completing these programs. This shows their steadfast dedication to supporting human needs in human-animal relationships.
This educational path helps you build unique clinical social work skills and specialized knowledge. You’ll learn to handle the complex relationship between human and animal welfare effectively.
Gaining Practical Experience in the Field
Professional expertise grows when theoretical knowledge meets practical experience. Learning in veterinary social work settings helps you apply classroom concepts and develop significant skills that employers value.
Internship opportunities with veterinary clinics
Internships create a clear path to build professional competence in veterinary social work. These experiences offer several key benefits:
Direct work with experienced veterinarians and social workers exposes you to different medical cases. This exposure helps you develop clinical skills and problem-solving abilities. Patient care and treatment plans boost your confidence to handle complex scenarios with animals and their owners.
Programs like the University of Denver’s Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate offer field placements that focus on human-animal connections. The program has internships both domestically and internationally. These opportunities let you “study the spectrum of human-animal relationships” while building practical expertise.
Start your internship search in the fall before your predicted start date. On top of that, externship experiences can help build relationships with potential internship sites before you apply.
Volunteer work with animal shelters and welfare organizations
Your professional network grows through volunteer work, which offers valuable experience. Here are some approaches:
- Volunteer at animal shelters or rescue organizations to build practical skills and industry connections
- Shadow existing veterinary social workers to learn about daily responsibilities
- Join fostering programs to care for shelter animals in your home and gain unique experience with animal behavior and welfare
Field experts point out that “Gain hands-on experience by volunteering at animal shelters or veterinary clinics to enhance your resume and practical knowledge.” Students who might be too young for formal positions find this experience valuable as they start their professional experience.
These volunteer experiences then help develop essential skills while showing your commitment to animal welfare and human support services.
Building a professional portfolio
A professional portfolio shows your career achievements and value to potential employers. Your veterinary social work portfolio should include:
A clear table of contents helps readers find relevant information quickly. Add an extended résumé that details your education, certifications, and professional experiences, highlighting animal-related work.
Your portfolio should showcase your work—”professional artifacts” that prove your capabilities. Include documentation of continuing education, honors, awards, and recommendation letters.
A well-crafted portfolio serves many purposes. It prepares you for interviews, supports promotion requests, and helps track your professional growth over time.
These practical experiences build skills and help establish professional connections you need to find positions in this specialized field.
Obtaining Licensure and Certification
Getting professional credentials is a vital step to establish yourself as a veterinary social worker. You’ll need proper licensure and specialized certifications after completing your education. These requirements help you practice legally and effectively in this unique field.
You must get a social work license in your state to practice professionally. Requirements typically include:
- An MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
- Passing a national examination
- Completing a specified number of supervised clinical hours
Each state has different licensure rules, but all jurisdictions regulate social work practice through their health-related boards. Some states have multiple licensure levels with different requirements for each tier. You should check the specific requirements with your state’s social work board. These requirements determine your scope of practice and job opportunities.
Several institutions provide specialized certificates that confirm your expertise in this niche field:
The University of Tennessee started the first Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program in 2002. It remains the most detailed certification available with over 400 alumni nationwide. Their program covers four core areas of veterinary social work: grief and pet loss, animal-assisted interactions, the link between human-animal violence, and compassion fatigue management.
Certificate requirements typically include:
- Completion of specialized coursework covering the four pillars of veterinary social work
- Supervised field placement in veterinary settings
- A capstone project requiring at least 250 hours of service learning
Many universities design their certificates to fit within standard MSW programs. Students don’t need additional courses beyond the regular curriculum.
Continuing education and specialization options
We focused on continuing education to maintain licensure while developing specialized expertise. The International Association of Veterinary Social Work (IAVSW) holds monthly educational events. These events cover topics like animal abuse in domestic violence situations.
These opportunities help you:
- Stay current with emerging research and best practices
- Network with professionals in the field
- Develop expertise in specific areas like animal-assisted therapy or pet loss counseling
You receive certificates after completing approved continuing education. These certificates improve your professional credentials and expand your service capabilities.
Finding Veterinary Social Worker Jobs
The veterinary social work field keeps growing as organizations see the real value these specialists bring. Now that you have your education and credentials, let’s look at how you can land a position in this fulfilling career.
Common workplace settings
Veterinary social workers can work in many different places where they help both humans and animals. Here are the main opportunities:
Veterinary hospitals and clinics need social workers as key members of their healthcare teams. Major networks like Mars Veterinary Health have more than 20 licensed veterinary social workers working at their 2,200+ hospitals.
Veterinary teaching hospitals at universities now hire mental health professionals more often. These professionals help veterinary teams develop their non-medical skills.
Animal welfare organizations and shelters need experts who can support adoption processes, educate communities, and help staff maintain their well-being.
Experienced practitioners can set up private consulting practices to offer specialized services to multiple clients.
Job search strategies and networking
Finding jobs in this specialized field takes a smart approach:
Industry conferences, seminars, and local veterinary events are great ways to meet potential employers and colleagues. You can connect with peers, mentors, and people who shape the industry at these gatherings.
Social platforms like LinkedIn and veterinary forums help you build connections beyond your local area. The AVMA Career Center lists nearly 5,000 veterinary jobs and lets you showcase your resume to employers.
Talking to experienced veterinary social workers helps you learn about career paths and build meaningful relationships.
Salary expectations and advancement opportunities
Recent salary data shows promising earning potential:
The average yearly salary for veterinary social workers in the United States stands at $53,955 as of March 2025. The range typically falls between $44,101 and $65,943. Top performers in leadership roles can earn $70,000 to $90,000 per year.
Your location plays a big role in what you earn. Washington offers the best pay, beating the national average by 13.3%.
You can advance your career by becoming an expert in high-demand areas like pet loss counseling. Other options include moving up to leadership roles in larger organizations or starting a private practice that focuses on animal-assisted interventions.
Get Your Start in Veterinary Social Work Today
Veterinary social work is a unique career path that lets you impact both human and animal lives. The right education, hands-on experience, and professional credentials will help you build a rewarding career in this growing field.
A bachelor’s degree serves as your foundation. Moving up through an MSW program and earning specialized certifications will prepare you to handle various challenges in this role. Your expertise becomes vital in settings like veterinary clinics and animal shelters where you’ll help pet owners and veterinary professionals navigate difficult situations.
Success in this field comes from a commitment to ongoing learning and genuine compassion for humans and animals alike. The just need for veterinary social workers keeps growing, especially when you have corporate veterinary networks and teaching hospitals. Your career outlook stays bright with annual salaries between $44,000 to $90,000. This specialized field offers many paths for advancement, combining personal satisfaction with professional development.