UT social work college launches Center for Pet Family Well-Being

The University of Tennessee College of Social Work has formally launched the Center for Pet Family Well-Being, turning its long-running Program for Pet Health Equity into a permanent center focused on the health of people and companion animals together. The new center, announced March 9, 2026, builds on an eight-year effort led by Michael Blackwell, DVM, MPH, and is backed through 2029 by Maddie’s Fund. UT said the center will use a “One Health Systems” framework that connects veterinary care with housing, transportation, economic support, education, policy, and public health, rather than treating those barriers separately. (csw.utk.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the move signals continued momentum behind access-to-care models that look beyond the exam room. UT’s earlier work under the Program for Pet Health Equity helped develop AlignCare, a community-based model designed to improve access to veterinary services for families with limited means, and the university says the new center will expand research, workforce development, a One Health Community Forum, and a new Journal of One Health Systems. That could further shape how practices, shelters, social service agencies, and public health partners work together around pet-inclusive families. (trace.tennessee.edu)

What to watch: UT plans to launch an annual One Health Systems Summit starting in October 2026 at the American Public Health Association meeting, offering an early signal of how quickly the center can translate its framework into broader veterinary and public health adoption. (csw.utk.edu)