The Pet Connection

There is convincing scientific evidence that the emotional ties people form with their pets have a profound effect on their psychological and physical well being at all stages of the life cycle. Generally considered members of the family, companion animals provide a sense of comfort and connection that increases positive feelings such as happiness and pleasure while also reducing loneliness, anxiety and depression. The increasing recognition of these remarkable benefits has important implications for social work, including for clinical understanding and approaches to psychotherapy.



Pat Sable, PhD, is an adjunct professor at the USC School of Social Work and has a private practice of psychotherapy in West Los Angeles. She has published extensively in professional journals on the application of attachment theory to clinical practice with adults. She is the author of the book Attachment and Adult Psychotherapy.

Susan Kelejian, an MSW student with the school's Virtual Academic Center, will also discuss her work as an instructor and equine specialist in the area of equine assisted therapy.



Lunch will be served.