不良研究所

Part way through taking her Master of Social Work (MSW) through the University of 不良研究所, Brenn Clark recognized the career she was envisioning did not exist.  

Social work primarily involves human-to-human contact 鈥� but what about the relationship between humans and the animals they care for? 

So, with a background in both animal care and social well-being, Clark decided to contribute to the growing field herself, founding in August 2025. 

A key focus of Clark鈥檚 work is supporting people navigating grief connected to animals, whether due to illness, loss, separation or having to make difficult decisions. This includes not only pet owners, but veterinary and animal-care professionals, many of whom face compassion fatigue, burnout and moral distress.

Based in Victoria, B.C., Clark's venture offers a non-clinical wellness support space dedicated to people and professionals involved in animal caregiving. She is helping expand the boundaries of social work to more fully include the human鈥揳nimal bond, an area she believes has long been overlooked. 

A path shaped by animals, care and connection 

Clark鈥檚 academic journey began with a deep interest in animals and animal health, with early aspirations toward veterinary medicine. That path evolved through her MSc in through the University of Edinburgh, where she explored the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental well-being. That鈥檚 when she realized her passion centred on the intersection of care, justice and relational support. 

Prior to starting her online MSW with U不良研究所 Social Work, the now-third-year student recognized a gap: there were few established roles supporting animal caregivers in a holistic, relational and affirming way.  

Rather than waiting for the field to catch up, she built her own solution to contribute to this growth. 

Expanding what social work can be 

Clark describes her practice at Compassionate Creatures as 鈥渂eyond-human social work,鈥� an approach that recognizes people鈥檚 lives are deeply shaped by relationships with animals and the natural world, not as secondary concerns, but as central ones. 

鈥淪ocial work has historically focused only on human-to-human relationships,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut our connections with animals are meaningful, reciprocal and life-shaping.鈥� 

Through Compassionate Creatures, Clark distinguishes her work from clinical diagnosis or treatment. Her approach instead centres on presence, trust and care, rather than simply looking at the symptoms of grief or emotional distress. 

Clark鈥檚 work reflects a growing area of social work practice that recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond and relational ecology approaches to health and well-being such as One Health, says social work professor , PhD. 

鈥淚n social work, we鈥檙e increasingly recognizing the powerful role animals play in supporting health and well-being 鈥� not just in formal interventions, but as valued members of our families and communities,鈥� says Hewson. 鈥淭his is why our faculty recently introduced an undergraduate course in animal-assisted social work practice that expands students鈥� awareness, encourages critical reflection on social justice considerations, and cultivates the design of innovative programs and services for real-world impact.鈥� 

The course, Animal Assisted Practice, was first offered at the Faculty of Social Work last year and, in response to strong student interest, will be taught again during both the summer and fall block weeks this year. For students like Clark, this growing recognition reflects a shift toward a more inclusive and evolving field, one that better reflects the interconnected realities of the people and communities it serves. 

Holding space for animal-related grief 

She emphasizes this form of animal-related grief is real, complex and deserving of support, even though it is often misunderstood or minimized. 

鈥淐ompanion animal loss can be deeply life-altering,鈥� Clark says. 鈥淵et many people feel silenced or isolated in their grief because it鈥檚 not always recognized as legitimate.鈥� 

By creating space for these experiences, Clark is helping reshape how grief, especially grief tied to animals, is understood and supported. 

Supporting those who care for animals 

In addition to working with pet guardians, Clark supports veterinary and animal-care professionals. Instead of viewing their experiences with grief as individual failures, her work acknowledges the systemic and relational realities of care work. 

Her approach offers caregivers something rare: 鈥淚t gives folks working in animal care spaces the opportunity to step out of their professional roles for a moment and be real humans 鈥� to be seen, heard and validated in their experiences,鈥� Clark says. 

Learning online, leading from community 

U不良研究所鈥檚 unique MSW program is offered mostly online, with short annual residencies in Edmonton or 不良研究所. Clark says the flexibility has allowed her to stay rooted in her B.C. community while growing Compassionate Creatures alongside her studies. 

鈥淭he flexibility of the MSW program allowed me to continue fostering meaningful relationships and discover new connections and ways to support the animal caregiving community, while I continue learning,鈥� she says. 

The next generation of social work leaders 

As a student, entrepreneur and emerging practitioner, Clark represents the next generation of socially responsive social workers who are reimagining the profession to better reflect how people live, care and connect.  

鈥淚 hope students know they can create something new,鈥� she says. 鈥淪ometimes, the work you鈥檙e looking for hasn鈥檛 been built yet.鈥� 

With Compassionate Creatures, Clark is doing just that, starting something to expand social work, and perhaps a little more about how care itself is understood.