Animals In Social Work

The invisibility of animals in social work practice has been such a longstanding feature of the discipline since the early twentieth century that it is assumed to be thoroughly consistent with social work's function and raison d'etre. Indeed suggestions to the contrary are almost invariably met with a quizzical 'What do animals have to do with social work?' Animals in Social Work: Why and How They Matter represents a pioneering collection of essays dedicated to providing a critical and practical corrective to the almost routine dismissal of animals in social work practice and thought.

The various contributors argue persuasively why and how it is that animals ought to matter to social work, by way of theoretical and philosophical argument, and practical applications. Moving the discussion well beyond a focus upon animal-assisted therapies, the essays importantly serve to focus direct attention upon the wellbeing and welfare of animals in and of themselves.