Program for Pet Health Equity

03/17/2026

University of Tennessee College of Social Work

📣 CE APPROVED
Earn 1 Continuing Education (CE) credit through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)!

In recognition of Social Work Month, join us on March 31, 2026 for the One Health Community webinar, More Than a Pet: Integrating the Human-Animal Bond into Ethical Social Work Practice. Explore how the human-animal bond can inform ethical decision-making and strengthen holistic social work practice.

REGISTER TODAY > tiny.utk.edu/March2026Webinar

03/09/2026

We are proud to share exciting news from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville!

The Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE) at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work has officially expanded into the Center for Pet Family Well-Being (CPFW)—a major step forward in advancing health equity for people and their pets.

This new Center builds on the work PPHE helped lead to address barriers to veterinary care and strengthen collaboration across veterinary medicine, social work, public health, and animal welfare. Through research, policy, and cross-sector partnerships, CPFW will continue advancing solutions that support pet families and the communities they live in.

We are so grateful to our partners and supporters—including Maddie's Fund—who have helped make this growth possible.

📣 Follow our new page, https://www.facebook.com/CenterforPetFamilyWellBeing, to stay connected and see what’s next.

Read the full announcement:
https://csw.utk.edu/news/university-of-tennessee-college-of-social-work-establishes-center-for-pet-family-well-being/

02/26/2026

We hope to see you later today.

Join us for Expanding Access to Veterinary Care Through Innovative Financing, a One Health Community Webinar | Feb 26, 1:00 PM ET

Financial barriers remain the leading reason pet families delay or forgo veterinary care—often with consequences for animal, human, and community health.

Join us on February 26 at 1:00 PM ET for an evidence-based discussion on how innovative, no-credit-check financing models can expand access to lifesaving veterinary care.

🔹 Live webinar + Q&A
🔹 Research published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science
🔹 Free registration (REQUIRED)

Financial barriers are the leading reason pet families delay or forgo veterinary care—often resulting in preventable suffering and broader impacts on human and community health. This webinar will present findings from a recent peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, exami...

02/24/2026

Registration is still open — and we hope you’ll join us.

Expanding Access to Veterinary Care Through Innovative Financing
📅 February 26 | 1:00 PM ET
🎥 Live Webinar + Q&A

Financial barriers remain the primary reason families delay or forgo veterinary care — with ripple effects across animal health, public health, and community wellbeing.

This session will present evidence-based strategies to address affordability, including innovative financing models designed to expand access without relying solely on traditional credit structures.

What to expect:
▪ Practical insights grounded in implementation experience
▪ Research published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science
▪ Live discussion and audience Q&A
▪ Complimentary registration (required)

If you are working at the intersection of veterinary medicine, access to care, community health, or practice management, this conversation is designed for you.

Register here:

Financial barriers are the leading reason pet families delay or forgo veterinary care—often resulting in preventable suffering and broader impacts on human and community health. This webinar will present findings from a recent peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, exami...

01/27/2026

Veterinarian warns pet hypothermia can happen in minutes during extreme cold

Dr. Hilferty says in well-below-freezing temps, dogs should only be outside for a few minutes to use the bathroom. Hypothermia can begin in as little as five to 10 minutes, regardless of breed.

01/25/2026

Advancing One Health Systems for Pet Families and Communities
- A virtual seminar with T’ Fisher, Director of Operations at the University of Tennessee Program for Pet Equity

Tune in for a special seminar as we celebrate One Health Awareness Month! This virtual presentation by T' Fisher examines how integrated One Health systems can improve outcomes for pet families while strengthening community health and resilience. Grounded in the One Health framework, the session highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration among animal welfare, public health, veterinary medicine, and human services.

The presentation will describe the work of the Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE) and its efforts to address structural and systemic barriers that limit access to care for pets and their families.

Key areas of focus include:
* Development of integrated, cross-sector service models that support pet families experiencing economic, geographic, or social barriers

* Strategic partnerships between animal welfare organizations and human-serving systems, including public health, housing, and social services

* Education and workforce development initiatives aimed at reducing bias, increasing shared understanding, and strengthening collaboration across disciplines

Attendees will gain insight into applied One Health strategies that promote equity, prevent family separation, and support sustainable, community-centered approaches to animal and human wellbeing.

REGISTER TODAY
https://tennessee.zoom.us/meeting/register/GhGbJtnNTRWCSSdrccb8Zw #/registration

01/23/2026

Winter storm: How to keep your pets safe

As you have probably heard, the ASPCA said, “If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet.”

01/23/2026

REMINDER

This weekend, members of the Program for Pet Health Equity will be presenting at The Community Cats Conference sharing insights from our national survey on access to veterinary care at two sessions.

- Cat Acquisition and Care: Trends and Implications for Outreach with Megyn Scott-Hintz

-Access to Veterinary Care and Cat Families with Kaitlyn Andres MS, MPH; Kayla Anderson, LMSW; Claire Schuch, PhD; and Katy Carpenter, MSIS

REGISTER TODAY! https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-cat-conference-2026/

Our team is looking forward to sharing our results and promoting evidence-based programs and outreach that attendees can take back to their communities!

Speakers and Presentations Click here to download the full schedule, speaker profiles, and presentation descriptions. And don’t forget to subscribe to our email newsletter to get all the details and updates sent straight to your inbox. The Online Cat Conference is proudly sponsored by:

11/24/2025

Celebrate Public Health Heroes

Every year on the Monday before Thanksgiving, APHA, Research! America and leading public health organizations take time to recognize public health professionals who work tirelessly to protect the health of all people and all communities.

The sheer number and complexity of public health challenges confronting our nation and the global community have only reinforced the tremendous value of the . Join us on in expressing our gratitude for their dedication.

11/24/2025

Keeping Pets Safe During Thanksgiving

A safe, calm, and healthy pet environment supports the overall health of the home. When pets are stressed or ill, risks to humans can increase-from bites and scratches to zoonotic disease exposure and emotional strain on family members. By preventing pet hazards, we also reduce risks to children, visitors, and older adults who may be more vulnerable. Caring for our animals during the holidays is another way we protect each other's well-being.

Who to Call in an Emergency

If something goes wrong—such as ingestion of a toxic food, sudden illness, injury, or a concerning interaction between pets and people—contact:

* Your primary veterinarian (many provide holiday or on-call coverage)
* Nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital
* ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
* Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661

Keeping these numbers handy before the holiday rush ensures you can act quickly if needed.

For more information, join the discussion on our One Health Forum at https://forum.maddiesfund.org/onehealth/home

11/18/2025

Join Todays Webcast: Social Work Guidelines in Animal Welfare Settings
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 to 12:30 PM PST, 3:00 to 3:30 PM ET

Join us for a 30-minute panel discussion introducing the Social Work Guidelines in Animal Welfare Settings, a groundbreaking new resource created by and for social workers working in animal welfare organizations across North America.

Whether your organization already employs a social worker, you are exploring how social work can enhance your mission, or you are simply curious about how social work skills fit into animal welfare, this panel conversation is for you.

Developed through a year-long participatory action research project funded by the ASPCA, the Guidelines provide a roadmap for social work practice in animal welfare settings at the individual, organization, and community/policy levels.

Discussion topics include:
- How animal welfare organizations can use the guidelines to strengthen human and animal well-being
- Common challenges and strategies for successful implementation
- Ways non-social work staff can engage with and benefit from the guidelines

This will be an engaging, real-world conversation about advancing both ends of the leash.

Panelists and Guidelines Co-Authors:
- Kayla Anderson, Veterinary Social Worker, The Program for Pet Health Equity
- Kelly bremken, Veterinary Social Worker, Oregon Humane Society
- Laurie Maxwell, Director of Veterinary Social Work, MedVet
- Augusta O'Reilly, President, International Veterinary Social Work Association
- Alexis Telfair-Garcia, Director of Social Work Program Development, Austin Pets Alive!

Facilitator:
Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work, Open Door Veterinary Collective

Register here: https://maddies.fund/DoorsWideOpenWebcastSeriesRegister