Navigating Barriers to Safety & Security: Survivors and Assistance Animals
Survivors fleeing violence comes with many costs, costs which often include leaving behind loved ones, including pets, in unsafe or unfamiliar environments. Up to 50% of survivors will delay leaving a dangerous situation because they fear what will happen to their pets. Yet only 10% of Domestic Violence Shelters have the means to house companion animals. Based on these challenges, through this webinar, domestic and sexual violence advocates will have an opportunity to mitigate these costs by understanding the dynamics between animal abuse, domestic violence, and barriers that placements may have on survivors’ peace of mind. Attendees will become more familiar with how pets impact the trauma survivors face during the healing process as well as how to create plans that follow ADA and HUD guidelines for Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. This training will emphasize the vital role that safe, confidential, and low-cost approaches to pet advocacy programming have on barriers between survivors and safety.
In this session you will learn:
The connections between animal abuse and domestic violence, as well as the importance of bonds between survivors and their pets.
How pets positively impact trauma survivors during the healing process.
How to follow ADA and HUD guidelines for Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals while working with survivors.
Who should attend?
Domestic violence program managers and staff
Animal welfare program managers and staff
Victim advocates
Social service providers working with pet owners
Mental health program managers and staff
Presented by
Zoë Agnew-Svoboda
zagnewsvoboda@bestybnb.com
Director of Engagement and Program Development
Zoë has worked in animal welfare for over a decade. Prior to joining BestyBnB, she spent close to 8 years providing direct service to survivors of domestic violence by managing the pet advocacy program at a domestic violence agency in Kansas City, Missouri. With this program, she gained first-hand knowledge on the positive impact pets play in our lives and how the relationship we share with animals can be life-saving. Zoë regularly provides training on her vast knowledge of the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse, and how to provide pet advocacy services. In her role with BestyBnB, she partners with agencies to implement lifesaving programs for survivors seeking safety with their pets.
*BestyBnB webinars are geared toward professional development and are not intended to be utilized for therapeutic or psycho-educational purposes. If you are a survivor of domestic violence seeking help please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.