December | CE WEBINAR
December CE:
Honoring the Human-Animal Bond in Grief and Hospice Care
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, at 10-11am PT/1-2pm ET
Presented by: Lisa Wiborg, LISW-S, C-AAIS, Veterinary Social Worker | Co-Owner of Healing Paws, LLC
Pets hold a profound place in people’s lives, offering comfort, companionship, and unconditional love. Their loss—whether through death, disappearance, or end-of-life decisions—can trigger grief as deep and complex as that experienced with human loss. This presentation explores the history and depth of the human-animal bond, grief and bereavement theories, and the concept of disenfranchised grief. It also highlights how hospice and palliative care social workers can incorporate the human-animal bond in supporting patients and families. Through case examples, ethical considerations, and practical strategies, participants will learn to integrate these approaches into practice while honoring the relationships between people and animals.
Learning Objectives:
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Explain the human-animal bond and its influence on grief and bereavement experiences.
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Describe the concept of disenfranchised grief as it relates to pet loss.
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Integrate human-animal bond principles into grief and bereavement interventions.
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Apply ethical, cultural, and risk management considerations when supporting clients through grief and loss.
About the Speaker:
Lisa Wiborg is a Veterinary Social Worker and licensed independent social worker in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 18 years of experience in medical social work, hospice care, and dementia support, she integrates the human-animal bond to bring comfort during life’s most difficult moments. Lisa earned her MSW from The Ohio State University and completed the post-graduate Veterinary Social Work certificate at the University of Tennessee, where she now coordinates projects for the Center for Veterinary Social Work. She is an adjunct professor and faculty liaison at Cleveland State University, co-founder of Healing Paws LLC, and Co-Director of Education for the International Association of Veterinary Social Work. A graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Fellowship, her research focuses on reducing stress in veterinary medicine through Acceptance and Commitment Training. Inspired by her “souldog” Scrabble, Lisa enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her dogs, Lincoln and tri-paw Pretzel.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education Information
Social Work Hospice + Palliative Care Network (SWHPN), #1716, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Social Work Hospice + Palliative Care Network aka SWHPN maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 7/18/2023 – 7/18/2026.
Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits.