• Aviva Vincent Ph.D., Cleveland State University

This resource is intended to be a resource for students pursuing Veterinary Social Work coursework. As there is an abundance of literature available online and in print, this resource brings together the seminal, foundational, and important reads for students. The guide is divided into modules based on the four modules of Veterinary Social Work: 1. Animal Assisted Interventions; 2. The Link Between interpersonal violence and animal abuse; 3. Pet related grief and bereavement; and 4. Intentional Well-being. There are additional sections for reading that do not "fit" into a single area. The readings are not in a particular order - readers are encouraged to search by tags and read as their interests (and coursework) direct. As always, there is always more to read - this is not an exhaustive compendium, merely a place to get stated!

978-1-956812-05-3

10-1-2025

MSL Academic Endeavors, Imprint of the Cleveland State University, Michael Schwartz Library

Cleveland

Animal Assisted Interventions, Link Between interpersonal violence and animal abuse, Pet related grief and bereavement, Intentional Well-being.

Counseling | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work

Aviva Vincent, PhD, LMSW is a Veterinary Social Worker  and co-owner of Healing Paws LLC. She is social work faculty at Cleveland State University and a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center. Dr. Vincent is trained credentialed with PATH Intl for Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and Equine Services for Heroes, and with the HERD Institute in Advanced Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. She is trained in Results Based Accountability for organizational strategic planning and evaluation. She holds facilitator training through the Harwood Institute, Sustained Dialogue, and the Institute for Social Change. As a social justice advocate, she centers DEI in her practice inclusive of Access and Belonging. She is on the board of trustees for PATH International Board of Trustees wherein she chairs the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, and she chairs the conference committee for the International Association of Veterinary Social work. Dr. Vincent was awarded Cleveland Crain's 40 under 40 (2023), and the Early Career Success Award by Case Western Reserve University (2022). She has twenty peer-reviewed publications and chapters in Career Paths in Human-Animal Interaction for Social and Behavioral Scientists, The Comprehensive Guide to Interdisciplinary Veterinary Social Work, The Handbook on Human Animal Interactions and Anthrozoology, and Integrating Horses Into Healing. Dr. Vincent is certified through Canine Companions and Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals to serve as a handler for her therapy dog, Heddy.

Vincent, Aviva Ph.D., "Veterinary Social Work" (2025). MSL Academic Endeavors eBooks. 42.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/msl_ae_ebooks/42

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