The profession of social work is grounded in the pursuit of social justice for people and has more recently incorporated consideration for nonhuman animals and the environment in its approach. Social work practitioners can be instrumental in developing modalities that place value on nonhuman animals and the living world as essential to optimal human health. Intentional interactions with animals and exposure to nature can be powerful inclusions in social work interventions with individuals, groups, and communities when applied using an ethical approach. Recognizing the power of the human-animal-environment bond can influence community health. Advocating for sustainability and conservation can save our global condition. This chapter discusses historical perspectives of nonhuman animal and environmental inclusion in social work practice, including theory, education, training, research, and practice in three core areas defined by the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work: Therapeutic human-animal interactions in social work, Animals in communities, and Conservation social work. Implications for future integration of animals and the environment in social work practice are also discussed. © 2020 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Author Keywords
Index Keywords
