Webinar Description:

Pets are often part of the family in supportive housing and unhoused communities, and they are also impacted during overdose emergencies. In some cases, pets may be accidentally exposed to opioids or other substances through ingestion, inhalation, or environmental contact, which can lead to serious toxicity or overdose symptoms such as extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, collapse, vomiting, seizures, or unresponsiveness. This webinar focuses on how frontline workers can recognize these potential signs of pet overdose exposure and respond appropriately, including immediate safety considerations, supportive communication with pet owners, and connection to veterinary or emergency resources where available. It also explores how to provide compassionate, practical support in these moments while reducing harm and maintaining trust. Together, we’ll explore approaches to pet overdose response that prioritize safety, care, and keeping people and their animals connected wherever possible.

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.