In-house Academy -- Expansive Modules of Integration: Veterinary Social Work
Event description
- Academic events
- Open to the public
- Professional and career development
Presenter: Alison Sutton-Ryan DBH, LCSW, LIAC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Doctorate of Behavioral Health
DBH Applied Project Chair
College of Health Solutions
Arizona State University
Veterinary Social Work is an evidence-informed specialty that advances the wellbeing of individuals, families, animals, and communities through interdisciplinary practice. This continuing education program provides social workers with an overview of the foundations, scope, and ethical application of Veterinary Social Work while examining evidence-based and promising interventions that can be integrated into healthcare, veterinary, and community settings. Participants will explore the profession’s four core components: the Link Between Human and Animal Violence, Animal-Related Grief and Bereavement, Animal-Assisted Interventions and Intentional Wellbeing and Mental Health for Veterinary Professionals. Through research-informed frameworks, case-based learning, and practical referral strategies, attendees will strengthen competencies in assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and intervention to promote resilience, trauma-informed care, and improved outcomes for individuals, families, and veterinary professionals.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the foundations and scope of Veterinary Social Work, including its role within interdisciplinary veterinary and human service settings.
- Develop practical interventions and referral strategies that integrate Veterinary Social Work principles into clinical, community, healthcare, and veterinary practice settings.
- Identify and explain the four core components of Veterinary Social Work:
- Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)
- The Link Between Human and Animal Violence
- Animal-Related Grief and Bereavement
- Intentional Wellbeing and Mental Health for Veterinary Professionals
3 CE Credits Available through ASU. Certificates of completion will be emailed to registrants post workshop. Approval Number: #0145
About Alison Sutton-Ryan
Alison Sutton-Ryan is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the College of Health Solution at ASU in the Doctoral of Behavioral Health (Integrated Care) Progra. She has extensive experience teaching in graduate social work programs. Her previous teaching experience includes working as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Social Work at Salisbury University where she received the 2023 Interprofessional Education Teaching Award. At Salisbury University, she completed an Interprofessional Education Fellowship focused on interprofessional care for transgender individuals in the rural Eastern Shore of Maryland. She has specialized training in Equity Based Trauma Informed Pedagogy and in Online Instruction. She is Quality Matters Certified.
She was previously a Clinical Professor at University of Arizona Department of Psychiatry , a Faculty Associate at Smith College School for Social Work, and a Faculty Associate at ASU School of Social Work. She completed the postgraduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate at University of Tennessee.
Sutton-Ryan has 25 years of clinical experience with specialties in perinatal mood disorders, addictions and recovery, and mental health of medical professionals. She has maintained a private psychotherapy practice for 20 years currently specializing in physician mental health.
With expertise in program development, Dr. Sutton-Ryan developed the embedded mental health services as the Director of Mental Health Services for the College of Medicine, Health Sciences, and College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Arizona. She is a Board Member at Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Foundation (TIHAN).
Sutton-Ryan's research has focused on inclusion of lived experiences to improve mental health outcomes and program design. She has a passion for addressing the 4th aim for improving the wellbeing of medical professionals and the 5th aim of addressing health disparities. Sutton-Ryan has been selected to serve as Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Track Chair for the Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Track.
ASU Tucson SSW Students: Talk to your field instructors about incorporating this training into your learning contract for your internship!
Certificates are great resume boosters! They will not only enhance your professional skills as a social worker but also increase your marketability upon graduation.
Training will start promptly at 9:00am. Please be on time.
Seating is limited. If you are unable to attend this event for any reason, please cancel your registration right away so we can offer your seat to others.
