2010 Public Service Award
Elizabeth Strand
This year’s UT Alumni Association Public Service Award goes to Elizabeth Strand, clinical associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and founding director of the veterinary social work program. This program was the first in the country to define veterinary social work as a sub-specialty. Through her leadership and vision, Strand helped establish the first program in Knox County to care for the abused animals of battered women. Fear for a pet’s safety can be a powerful reason why battered women do not leave a relationship—an issue now addressed because of her guidance. Strand has played a critical role in training mental health professionals on animal-related issues often found in domestic violence situations. In 2004, a law gave judges the option of referring convicted animal abusers to mandatory counseling. At the time, Strand was the only person in our area certified to offer these services. Since then, she has arranged local workshops for mental health professionals from across the state to prepare them to provide this court-mandated counseling.
The Public Service Award is bestowed to faculty with outstanding service to the public. The Public Service Award is presented by the UT National Alumni Association