See the Full Issue
February 2024
5 Questions for an Animal Welfare Specialist
Steven Hansen, DVM, MBA, DACAW, DACVT, is boarded in animal welfare and veterinary toxicology. Hansen is also president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society.
Steven Hansen, DVM, MBA, DACAW, DACVT
Steven Hansen, DVM, MBA, DACAW, DACVT, is board-certified in animal welfare and veterinary toxicology. Hansen is president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society. He serves on a variety of boards, including the Hill’s Shelter Advisory Board, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Legislative Advisory Committee, the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, the American College of Animal Welfare, Arizona State University’s Community Advisory Council, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Community Advisory Board.
1
What made you choose your specialty area?
The American College of Animal Welfare is focused on advancing animal welfare through education, certification, and scientific investigation. For me, leveraging veterinary medical training with research designed to answer questions about welfare is exciting, especially when the output is a change that improves quality of life.
2
What is one thing you wish you could tell general practitioners regarding your specialty?
Animal welfare specialization results in a deeper understanding of key knowledge areas, including society’s current and changing perceptions of animals, the human animal bond, access to veterinary care, sentience, recognition, assessment, prevention, and management of stress/distress. The assessment of welfare and the design and conduct of scientific investigation leads to improved husbandry practices, for example.
3
What is one thing that pet owners could do that would make your job more satisfying?
Animals are complex creatures with their own species-specific needs. If these are addressed appropriately, it will result in a high quality of life, further strengthening the human–animal bond. Recognizing and understanding these differences leads to improved well-being for the animal and for the people who care for and love them.
4
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
For me, the most rewarding part of my job is seeing the transformation of a terrified, severely undersocialized, malnourished animal from a cruelty case into a vibrant, engaged member of a new family. These transformations occur when quality veterinary medical care, nutritional support, environmental enrichment, behavioral therapy, and other species- and situational-specific aspects of a recovery plan converge.
5
What advice would you give to someone considering your specialty?
Seek out diplomates of the American College of Animal Welfare and gain an understanding of their specific interests and look for a match with your career goals. Are you interested in shelter medicine? Population control? Husbandry and enrichment practices? Take what you learn and find your own path forward.
Photo courtesy of Arizona Humane Society