Ohio Animal Advocates Executive Director Vicki Deisner will present at the 2026 Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) Annual Conference, taking place September 30–October 2.

Vicki Deisner, Ohio Animal Advocates’ Executive Director

The three-day conference brings together more than 500 child protection professionals and advocates from across Ohio for education, networking, and conversations about improving outcomes for children and families.

The Link Between Animal and Human Violence: Save a Pet – Save a Family

September 30 from 2:10 PM to 4:10 PM ET
Legal Track | 2 CE Hours

Vicki will join Dr. Alana Van Gundy, Law Director and Owner of Van Gundy Law, and Mallory Minter-Mohr, Social Science Research Specialist with the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, for a two-hour workshop exploring the connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal and family violence.

Participants will learn about Ohio's pet protective orders and cross-reporting laws, trauma-informed approaches to interviewing survivors, and strategies for protecting both people and pets in situations involving domestic violence and child maltreatment.

Through discussion and role-playing scenarios, the workshop will provide practical tools for recognizing the Link, completing applications for pet protective orders, strengthening survivor-centered communication, and building greater collaboration between human and animal services.

The session is designed for caseworkers, supervisors and managers, directors and administrators, counselors and clinicians, attorneys, and other professionals interested in the intersection of animal and human welfare.

Credits: 2 hours (SW, C, MFT and CLE)
Level: Introductory