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Paper short abstract:

Non-human animals can become irreplaceable allies for homeless people, both teaming up in mutual care. Yet, more-than-human relationships seems to fall out of the scope of social work practices. In which ways could we thus imagine the hybridization of care and social work practices ?

Paper long abstract:

As loyal companions, friends and confidants, non-human animals can become irreplaceable allies for homeless people, both teaming up in mutual care. As testified by the emergence of animal-assisted care in contemporary occidental societies, more-than-human relationships present a deep therapeutical potential, which appears to be particularly relevant in social work with homeless people.

Yet, it seems that not all non-humans have a claim to participate, as homeless non-humans appear to fall out of the normative criterias defining legitimate care actors. Added to the fact that their sole presence alongside their human companions is often forbidden inside community and public services buildings, this situation leads to exclude both of them from accessing housing and care resources. Under these conditions, is it possible to requalify homeless nonhumans as care partners, both actors and beneficiaries of social work? In what way(s) can more-than-human relationships be considered in social work practices with homeless people?

As part of a sociological study of human-animal relationships (HAR), we focus on the case of dogs in contemporary times, and more specifically their presence and participation in the community services welcoming homeless people in Montréal (Canada). Keeping an eye on the issues and the obstacles of taking HAR into account, particularly in temporary housing services, we present and analyze two pilot initiatives illustrating the conditions and possible modalities of the hybridization of care and social work practices.