Emily Armstrong is a senior in the University of Tennessee's undergraduate Department of Social Work. Emily plans to graduate in Spring 2009 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Social Work. Emily also works as a program counselor at Peninsula Hospital on the Child and Adolescent Unit. Additionally, she is the proud parent of a border collie/corgi mutt named Romeo. While at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work Program, Emily hopes to learn more about animal assisted therapy and gain clinical experience. Emily's future plans include attending UT for her MSSW. Bachelor of Science Social Work
The primary responsibilities of the BSSW student are to provide case management activities, emotional support to clients and some crisis intervention. Involvement in macro-practice activities may include grassroots organizing and advocacy for issues related to human-animal relationships.
This position includes:
- Case management.
- Providing emotional support to grieving clients.
- Crisis intervention, assessment and resource referral.
- Opportunities to co-facilitate bi-monthly Pet Loss Support Group
- Updating and maintaining UT VSW resources and resource handbook.
- Grassroots organizing.
- Advocacy.
- Providing a minimum of one in-service training for the VSW Spring Educational Series on a human-animal bond or human side of veterinary medicine topic of your choice as related to the theme of the series.
- On a weekly basis, attending educational meetings to learn more about specific topics, skills and intervention techniques salient to both the social work and veterinary professions.
- Other duties as assigned.
Students chosen for placement in UT VSW for the school year will have demonstrated a good academic record, be adult learners, have an interest in human-animal relationships, be self-starters, independent workers and have strong interpersonal and consensus building skills.