Providing Safe Haven for Survivor’s Animals Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
Description
Domestic Violence shelters are energized to make housing more pet- inclusive, which is vital to ensuring pets and people stay together as they journey from temporary to permanent housing. This energy is warranted as the human-animal bond offers powerful emotional and physical benefits, and for those who have experienced the trauma of abuse, a bond with a pet can also play an important role in the healing process. The discussion will describe the advantages of pet-inclusive temporary housing and the massive gap between need and pet-inclusive housing availability. This session will also explore opportunities and challenges related to pet-inclusive efforts, using these insights to inform actions we can all take to accelerate the pet-inclusive housing movement.
Facilitator
Victoria Murphy, Equine Protection Fund and Companion Animal Rescue Effort Program Manager, Animal Protection New Mexico.
Victoria L. Murphy originally joined Animal Protection of New Mexico in 2012 as the Animal Shelter Program Manager and returned in 2018 as the Helpline Case Manager, responsible for all casework for the Companion Animal Rescue Effort (CARE Program), Humane Communities: Santa Fe, and the Equine Protection Fund. From 2012-2014, Victoria was responsible for developing new ways to maximize New Mexico animal shelters’ ability to humanely care for companion animals, increase adoptions and spay/neuter, reduce euthanasia, and increase funding and training access. Victoria brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her work, having held positions in both animal sheltering and humane law enforcement services in New Mexico for various agencies over the years. Victoria served on the board of Las Cruces Horseman’s Association and acted as the horseshow chairman. Quick to find the good in bad situations and to seek positive solutions, Victoria employs creative approaches to assist and motivate people to value and help animals in their care. She understands the needs of companion animals and equines and their families in both domestic violence situations, as well as people seeking emergency medical or financial assistance for equines. Victoria is thrilled to be able to share her diverse knowledge and assist the dedicated, unsung heroes who work in both human and animal advocacy.