Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

In the early eighties human-animal interaction was still regarded as a relatively new field of study. Since then, various disciplines got involved through research, publications, projects and scientific meetings. Although the independent development of the study field was hindered by fragmentation and specialization, important contributions were made by the different disciplines. An unique characteristic of human-animal interaction as field of study is the combination between the human sciences and natural sciences. The need for some form of integration and openness between the sciences developed. This combination not only offers opportunities but set specific demands for multidisciplinary co-operation. The study field of human-animal interaction can be enriched and broadened through co-operation between disciplines as each discipline have specialized knowledge and skills available to enhance the synergistic effect. The aim of this study is to explore the multidisciplinary nature of the study field, the involvement of Social Work in the multidisciplinary team, points of departure for multidisciplinary co-operation, and the independent nature of the study field. Twenty three disciplines were identified that are involved in the study field, namely: Anthropology&Archeology, Occupational Therapy, Architecture, Marketing, Philosophy, Physiology, Physiotherapy, Medicine, Journalism, Communication Pathology, Criminology, Art, Social Work, Education, Psychiatry, Public Health, Law, Psychology, Sociology, Town&Regional Planning, Theology, Veterinary Science and Nursing. Involvement varies from direct involvement with the implementation of programmes; indirect involvement as for example in an advisory capacity; contributing to the fundamental view points regarding the human-animal bond; and the promoting of a positive image of human-animal interaction. The role of Social Work in the study field can be divided into five main areas, namely: the aim of social work intervention, e.g. improving quality of life; the roles of the social worker, e.g. facilitator; target groups in Social Work, e.g. children and the elderly; needs of people, e.g. alleviating loneliness and depression; and approaches towards service rendering, e.g. developmental Social Work. The most important principles of multidisciplinary co-operation in the study field are stated as: aspiration to achieve the same goal, joint research, a comprehensive description of the nature and extent of the involvement of each discipline, knowledge of all the other discipline's involvement, as well as participation in human-animal interaction programmes. The independence of human-animal interaction as study field can be measured against the following seven criteria: scientific organizations, scientific meetings, publications, academic training- and educational programmes, research, programmes and projects in practice, and multidisciplinary co-operation. A strategy to enhance human-animal interaction as independent, multidisciplinary study field in South Africa is presented according to seven decision-making areas used in the marketing of services. These decision making areas include: product-(service)decisions, price decisions, place decisions, promotional decisions, personnel decisions and presentation decisions. As social workers focus on the needs of the community and the need to interact with companion animals is one of these needs, social workers can play an important role in achieving the strategic goals of leading the study field of human-animal interaction to independence. / Dissertation (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

South Africa is currently facing a severe shortage of trained and competent social workers. Case loads have reached proportions of such magnitude that social workers in the field are battling to meet the needs of the people they serve, while still maintaining high ethical and professional standards. The impact of HIV/AIDS on the field of social work has currently redirected a major part of the focus of the profession on meeting the needs of child-headed households, to find and train foster parents for these children and generally to assist the poorest of the poor to access various grants applicable to their circumstances. This redirection appears also to have changed the emphasis regarding social work training requirements. Whereas in the past the newly qualified social worker was able to acquire additional skills in the workplace, under the guidance of experienced social workers, today it would seem that the demands of the work place are such that the social worker needs to take on significant responsibilities on entering the field. At the same time the Department of Social Services in South Africa is encouraging universities to increase the intake of social work students, in an attempt to meet this rising need for personnel trained to meet the current requirements of the clients of social work services. This exploratory research will focus on the applicability of UNISA (University of South Africa) social work training to these current requirements of social work by tapping into three different frames of reference: 1) The experiences and perceptions of the final year social work student in their placement setting, and particularly on whether they have felt their UNISA training equipped them for the work they are required to do. 2) The way the UNISA student is perceived by the practice setting personnel (contact person), and whether they meet the requirements of the field setting. 3) Input from the UNISA appointed supervisors responsible for the final year social work students' professional development in the field.The person-centred approach and the developmental approach have been briefly discussed in relation to social work in South Africa in the literature review and form the backdrop to this research, guiding the researcher in the exploration of the perceptions of the three different types of respondents. Post-modern theory is also at the root of the researcher's attempt to find fit between the different perceptions and the implications for social work training at a distance learning institute in South Africa today. / Social Work / M. A. (Mental Health)

South Africa is currently facing a severe shortage of trained and competent social workers. Case loads have reached proportions of such magnitude that social workers in the field are battling to meet the needs of the people they serve, while still maintaining high ethical and professional standards. The impact of HIV/AIDS on the field of social work has currently redirected a major part of the focus of the profession on meeting the needs of child-headed households, to find and train foster parents for these children and generally to assist the poorest of the poor to access various grants applicable to their circumstances. This redirection appears also to have changed the emphasis regarding social work training requirements. Whereas in the past the newly qualified social worker was able to acquire additional skills in the workplace, under the guidance of experienced social workers, today it would seem that the demands of the work place are such that the social worker needs to take on significant responsibilities on entering the field. At the same time the Department of Social Services in South Africa is encouraging universities to increase the intake of social work students, in an attempt to meet this rising need for personnel trained to meet the current requirements of the clients of social work services. This exploratory research will focus on the applicability of UNISA (University of South Africa) social work training to these current requirements of social work by tapping into three different frames of reference: 1) The experiences and perceptions of the final year social work student in their placement setting, and particularly on whether they have felt their UNISA training equipped them for the work they are required to do. 2) The way the UNISA student is perceived by the practice setting personnel (contact person), and whether they meet the requirements of the field setting. 3) Input from the UNISA appointed supervisors responsible for the final year social work students' professional development in the field.The person-centred approach and the developmental approach have been briefly discussed in relation to social work in South Africa in the literature review and form the backdrop to this research, guiding the researcher in the exploration of the perceptions of the three different types of respondents. Post-modern theory is also at the root of the researcher's attempt to find fit between the different perceptions and the implications for social work training at a distance learning institute in South Africa today. / Social Work / M. A. (Mental Health)