Webinar Description:

Companion animals play a vital role in people’s lives regardless of life circumstances. For many people navigating homelessness or housing insecurity a companion animal may be their primary source of connection, safety, and emotional support – and at times, the very relationship helping them survive. Yet, companion animals can also create significant barriers to accessing shelter, housing and services.

Frontline workers often share that they feel unsure about how to support clients whose wellbeing, safety planning, and housing decisions are closely tied to their companion animals.

This practical, introductory webinar explores person- and pet-centred, trauma-informed approaches and offers concrete strategies for more inclusive, compassionate practice, including:

• Trauma-informed approaches when pets are involved
• Pet-inclusive shelter and housing practices
• The Violence Link Crisis response and safety planning with animals
• One Health
• One Welfare in homelessness services

Instructor: Dawn Campbell

Instructor Bio: Dawn Campbell (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker and Veterinary Social Worker with the Vancouver Humane Society, where she supports individuals and families facing financial hardship through the McVitie Veterinary Assistance Program, providing access to emergency veterinary care. She specializes at the intersection of social services and animal welfare, with a focus on trauma-informed, pet-inclusive, and community-based practice.  Dawn has nearly a decade of frontline experience working in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where she has provided emotional support, advocacy, systems navigation, crisis support, and referrals for individuals whose companion animals are part of their care story. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of the complex realities faced by people navigating homelessness, financial insecurity, and systemic barriers, and the strengths and resourcefulness people draw on in these circumstances.  In addition to her role at the Vancouver Humane Society, Dawn is a Board Director with the BC Bereavement Helpline, where she is supporting the relaunch of their pet loss support program. She also operates a private counselling and consulting practice specializing in grief, trauma, the human–animal bond, and program and policy development. Dawn is passionate about strengthening cross-sector collaboration and building systems that honour the deep connections between people and their companion animals