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

*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.

The Other End of the Leash: Trauma-Informed Approaches to Animal Services

Lack of pet-friendly housing, financial hardship, and limited access to care disproportionately affect pet owners from marginalized and underserved communities. These systemic inequities can lead to traumatic separation between people and their beloved animals. In response, many animal welfare organizations are working to provide crisis support that acknowledges and addresses these barriers.

Presented by Lis Conarton, Director of Organizational Culture and Engagement with Veterinary Medical Center of CNY, April Moore, Senior Manager of Learning Advancement with Best Friends Animal Society, and Zoë Agnew-Svoboda, Director of Engagement and Program Development with BestyBnB at the 9th International Veterinary Social Work Summit in Toronto, Canada. This session will explore how understanding the intersections of trauma, systemic oppression, and animal companionship is essential to building equitable, inclusive, and trust-based relationships with pet owners. Participants will learn how to integrate trauma-informed care into organizational practices, centering the lived experiences of those most impacted by structural inequities.

Through storytelling, empathy-building activities, and practical tools, this session will equip attendees to recognize the widespread impact of trauma, respond in ways that avoid retraumatization, and integrate trauma-informed strategies into agency policies, team training, and client engagement. By prioritizing trauma-informed care, organizations can create more responsive, inclusive systems that honor the human-animal bond and promote healing-centered support.

Location:

• Courtyard Toronto Downtown, 475 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1X7, Canada

*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.

Navigating Barriers to Safety & Security: Survivors and Assistance Animals

Survivors fleeing violence often face many challenges, including the heartbreaking decision to leave beloved pets behind in unsafe or unfamiliar environments. Nearly 50% of survivors delay leaving a dangerous situation out of fear for their pets' safety, yet less than 20% of domestic violence shelters can accommodate animals. This webinar will help advocates understand the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, the emotional impact of pet separation, and the healing role pets play for survivors. Attendees will also learn how to develop survivor-centered plans that align with ADA and HUD guidelines for Service and Emotional Support Animals. The training will highlight the importance of safe, confidential, and low-cost pet advocacy programs in reducing barriers to safety and healing.

In this session, you will learn:

• The connections between animal abuse and domestic violence, as well as the importance of bonds between survivors and their pets.

• How pets positively impact trauma survivors during the healing process.

• How to follow ADA and HUD guidelines for Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals while working with survivors.

Who should attend?

• Domestic violence program managers and staff

• Animal welfare program managers and staff

• Victim advocates

• Social service providers working with pet owners

• Mental health program managers and staff