Building Bridges Between Animal Welfare and Human Services

Veterinary Social Work Consulting

SRM Connections partners with animal welfare and human service organizations to provide expert training and program development rooted in trauma-informed approaches. With a focus on dignity and respect for both people and pets, SRM Connections helps organizations create inclusive, compassionate services that truly meet the needs of their communities.

"I believe the human-animal bond deserves to be protected and respected—so I help organizations build programs that honor both, through trauma-informed care and compassionate support."

Testimonials

  • “Shoshana presented a training on trauma-informed care to the staff of our open-admission municipal shelter. The session was engaging, through-provoking, and accessible to individuals with a wide range of animal welfare experiences. I can say with confidence that working through the training with Shoshana expanded our team's ability to empathize with our community and changed the narratives they assigned to the pets and people we serve for the better."

    Alison Fechino

  • "Shoshana developed a trauma-informed care training program for our staff, fosters, and volunteers. This program helped shift the organizational culture toward empathy and understanding. Our shelter became more than just a place for animals—it became a trusted community resource. Her trauma-informed care approach gained recognition across the Hampton Roads region, and soon other shelters were seeking her expertise to train their own teams. Her influence sparked a regional shift in how shelter staff interact with pet owners, replacing judgment and assumptions with compassion and support."

    Lacy Shirey

  • “I attended this training during Animal Care Expo 2025. I can honestly say that it was one of the most impactful trainings of the week. Now I have better tools to consider those situations last, and to approach every interaction with more compassion, more time, and more respect for the people I'm helping. It reminded me, and everyone else in the audience, that the same care, patience, and dedication we pour into animals applies to our interactions with humans. I think this training should be part of the onboarding process of every role in a rescue/shelter. "

    Memo Fechino