Individuals with disabilities who rely on service animals often navigate a world that is not fully prepared to address their needs—facing barriers such as public misunderstanding, inconsistent practices, and, at times, outright denial of services. The impact of these barriers are even more significant when seeking services for domestic and/or sexual violence, where safety, trust, and accessibility are critical to their healing journey. Emotional support animals add another layer of barriers, as everything about them from their legality to their roles are frequently misunderstood or conflated with service animals, leading to confusion among providers and survivors alike.

In this webinar, we explore the intersection of disability access, trauma-informed care, and the presence of service animals and emotional support animals within victim services settings. You will gain a clear understanding of the legal distinctions, rights, and responsibilities associated with service and emotional support animals, as well as practical strategies you can use to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for survivors who use them. The session also addresses common concerns, such as allergies, safety, agency liability and facility policies.

This webinar is ideal for victim service providers, advocates, and allied professionals. It will equip you with the knowledge and tools to ensure that survivors who rely on animals for support are met with dignity, respect, and equitable access to services.

Presented by Jannette Brickman.