Positive Impact: Pets and Mental Health
Pets play an important role in many people’s lives but for those who struggle with mental health pets’ positive impact can be life-changing, or even lifesaving. Research has shown pet ownership and animal-assisted therapy can improve the quality of life for those working through a variety of mental health challenges. This webinar will highlight the lifesaving support pets can offer to those struggling from the impact of mental health and how the first pet advocacy program was created at a mental health and substance use treatment facility through the partnership between Johnson County Mental Health Center and BestyBnB.
In this session, you will learn:
The life-saving bond between humans and animals
The positive impact pets have on mental health through pet ownership and animal-assisted therapy
How BestyBnB partnered with Johnson County Mental Health Center to create the first pet advocacy program at a mental health and substance use treatment facility
Who should attend?
Mental health program managers and staff
Domestic violence program managers and staff
Victim advocates
Social service providers
Animal welfare 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.