The Co-Occurrence of Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse Behaviors and Mindsets

Bethesda, MD US
November 8, 2026

This activity is designed to improve healthcare team members’ ability to recognize animal abuse as a potential indicator of domestic violence, child maltreatment, and family dysfunction; incorporate pet-related concerns into trauma-informed assessments and safety planning; and appropriately document findings and patient disclosures. Participants will be better equipped to identify risk factors, engage in multidisciplinary collaboration with community partners such as veterinarians and social services, and implement referral strategies that address the safety needs of patients, children, and companion animals. These practice changes aim to enhance early intervention, risk assessment, and overall violence prevention efforts.

Target Audience

This activity provides continuing education for physicians, nurses, physician associates/physician, social workers, and psychologists across the Military Health System (MHS). A certificate of attendance is available for other attendees.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the relationship between domestic violence, child abuse, and animal abuse as reported in current research literature.
  2. Identify common indicators and warning signs of animal abuse that may suggest co-occurring family violence.
  3. Explain how threats or harm to animals may be used as a mechanism of coercive control within abusive relationships.
  4. Analyze the impact of animal abuse on children, including effects on empathy, behavioral development, and normalization of violence.
  5. Compare common myths and evidence-based facts regarding animal abuse and interpersonal violence.
  6. Evaluate barriers that prevent survivors of domestic violence from reporting abuse or leaving unsafe environments when pets are involved.
  7. Assess the role of veterinarians, healthcare professionals, and community partners in identifying, documenting, and responding to suspected animal abuse.
  8. Develop appropriate healthcare interventions, safety planning strategies, and referral recommendations for patients experiencing domestic violence involving companion animals.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.50 AAPA

    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.50 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Sunday, November 22, 2026 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

  • 1.50 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit

    DHA J-7 CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 1.50 hours for completing this activity.

  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    DHA J-7 CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

    DHA J-7 CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.50 ANCC

    DHA J-7 CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 1.50 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.50 APA

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. Participants may earn 1.50 CE credits for completing this activity.

  • 1.50 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, DHA J7 CEPO is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 Clinical continuing education credits.

  • 1.50 Attendance
  • 1.50 IPCE

    In support of improving patient care, DHA J-7 CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Course opens: 
11/01/2026
Course expires: 
11/22/2026
Event starts: 
11/08/2026 - 9:00am EST
Event ends: 
11/08/2026 - 10:30am EST
Add to calendar: 
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
4494 Palmer Rd N
Bethesda, MD 20814
United States

LCDR Carolyn Hill, DNP, FNP-BC, MSN, BSN, CEN, CMSRN, SAMFE, SANE-A, TCRN. Presenter has no relevant financial or non-financial relationship(s) relating to the course content or with ineligible companies to disclose.

Disclosure: DHA J-7 staff, planners, authors, faculty, and content reviewers for this educational activity have no relevant financial or non-financial relationship(s) relating to the course content or with ineligible companies to disclose. No commercial support was provided for this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 AAPA

    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.50 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Sunday, November 22, 2026 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

  • 1.50 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit

    DHA J-7 CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 1.50 hours for completing this activity.

  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    DHA J-7 CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

    DHA J-7 CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.50 ANCC

    DHA J-7 CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 1.50 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.50 APA

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. Participants may earn 1.50 CE credits for completing this activity.

  • 1.50 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, DHA J7 CEPO is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 Clinical continuing education credits.

  • 1.50 Attendance
  • 1.50 IPCE

    In support of improving patient care, DHA J-7 CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Please login or create an account to take this course.

Requirements:  CE/CME certificates are awarded to MHS participants who fully complete the activity, successfully submit the evaluation survey, and pass the posttest with a minimum score of 80% unless noted otherwise. The deadline to claim credit is Nov 22, 2026.

Access Code/Accommodations: Some activities require an access code to register or claim CE/CME credit. For inquiries regarding the access code or accommodations, please email LCDR Carolyn Hill at [email protected]. 

For technical support, email [email protected].

There is no cost to participate in this activity.

Required Hardware/software