Paws and Reflect: Exploring Veterinary Social Work with Trish Haak

About the Episode:

In this enlightening episode of Real Talk Unleashed, we are privileged to engage in a deeply insightful conversation with Trish Haak, a licensed clinical veterinary social worker. Join us as we delve into the heart of veterinary social work and its transformative impact on both veterinary professionals and pet owners.

As advocates for increased awareness of what the veterinary community is experiencing, we explore with Trish the importance of shedding light on the realities of veterinary medicine.

To empower our listeners, Trish offers a wealth of resources for suicide awareness training, and guidance on finding veterinary social workers who can provide support. She shares her own journey to becoming a veterinary social worker, fueled by her own experiences and her passion for nurturing the well-being of both animals and their caregivers.

Join us in this incredibly impactful episode as we uncover the profound world of veterinary social work with Trish Haak, and discover the transformative impact it has on veterinary professionals, pets, and pet owners.

About Our Guest:

Trish Haak is a veterinary clinical social worker located in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital within the VM-CVM to provide support, crisis intervention, grief education, and referrals and resources to animal owners.  She works as a member of the veterinary health care team to support difficult decision-making, end-of-life care, and the grieving process.  She provides workshops and rounds on wellbeing, effective client support and communication with veterinary students, staff, interns, residents, clinicians, and faculty.  She received her Master's of Social Work in Clinical Practice at the University of Washington-Seattle and Veterinary Social Work Certification at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  She is also a Certified Social Worker in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care and a Certified Trauma Treatment Professional.  She has provided mental health services within hospital, university, school, and research settings to a wide range of ages.  When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, dogs, and chickens, or teaching yoga, running, swimming, and gardening.

Resources:

https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/argus/
https://hsq.dukehealth.org/tools/

https://jedfoundation.org/resource/signs-your-friend-might-be-struggling-emotionally/
https://veterinarysocialwork.org/
https://qprinstitute.com/
https://www.livingworks.net/asist
https://axon.avma.org/page/wellbeing-courses
https://www.traumaresourceinstitute.com/crm