Creating Pet-Inclusive Care: Positive Outcomes for Addressing Systemic Barriers in Behavioral Health
In collaboration with Johnson County Mental Health Center, BestyBnB will present at the 2026 Annual Conference for Behavioral Health, hosted by ACMHCK. When individuals seek behavioral health treatment, they are often faced with an impossible decision: prioritize their own well-being or ensure the safety of a beloved pet. For many, the lack of temporary pet care creates a significant barrier to accessing services, leading to delayed or declined treatment, prolonged crises, unnecessary family separation, and poorer outcomes for both people and animals. This challenge extends beyond a single community - this is a systemic issue that exists throughout behavioral health and beyond.
To address this gap, Johnson County Mental Health Center partnered with BestyBnB to integrate temporary pet care into behavioral health services, creating a more pet-inclusive continuum of care. Together, the organizations evaluated this innovative model through a staff survey, generating data that demonstrates both the need for pet-inclusive services and the positive impact they have on client engagement and treatment outcomes.
During this session, presenters will share how temporary pet placement removes barriers to care, enabling clients to access and remain engaged in treatment while knowing their pets are safe. Attendees will learn about the development of the partnership, implementation strategies, lessons learned, and measurable outcomes from the program. The presentation will also provide practical guidance for replicating this model in other communities, including strategies for identifying pet-related barriers, building cross-sector partnerships, and expanding access to compassionate, pet-inclusive behavioral health care.
Location:
Hyatt Regency Wichita, 400 W Waterman St, Wichita, KS 67202
Presented by
Zoë Agnew-Svoboda
zagnewsvoboda@bestybnb.com
Director of Engagement and Program Development
Zoë has worked in animal welfare for over a decade. Prior to joining BestyBnB, she spent close to 8 years providing direct service to survivors of domestic violence by managing the pet advocacy program at a domestic violence agency in Kansas City, Missouri. With this program, she gained first-hand knowledge on the positive impact pets play in our lives and how the relationship we share with animals can be life-saving. Zoë regularly provides training on her vast knowledge of the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse, and how to provide pet advocacy services. In her role with BestyBnB, she partners with agencies to implement lifesaving programs for survivors seeking safety with their pets.
*BestyBnB webinars are geared toward professional development and are not intended to be utilized for therapeutic or psycho-educational purposes. If you are a survivor of domestic violence seeking help please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.