For many, animals are an integral part of family life. There are physical, psychological and social benefits from having companion animals across a life span. Animal companions benefit too, as members of a family. However, in some relationships, animals also become victims of domestic violence, as abusers use them as pawns by threatening to harm or kill them as a way to instill fear in a partner, family member, or in a caregiving relationship. Join us for a discussion on the dynamics of pets in domestic or family violence and what options are available in the District for people who want to leave their situation but have an animal companion they don’t want to leave behind.
Panelists: • Kristin Burki, Director, National Clearinghouse on Abuse Later in Life (NCALL) • Phil Arkow, Coordinator, The National LINK Coalition (The National Resource Center on The LINK Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence). • Blair Decker, Senior Pro Bono Attorney, Hogan Lovells, Co-Founder The Safety Network for Abused Animals & People (SNAAP) Moderator: Renee Carrico, NVRDC Pro Bono and Elder Justice Coordinator
