Brave, Well-behaved, and Not Afraid: Augusta O'Reilly
- Kat Griffith
- Nov 17
- 5 min read
I was so excited to be meeting with the one, the only, Augusta O'Reilly! I had met her through Bri, who some of you may know. Augusta actually gave me the opportunity to write for this blog. It is extremely fun as a social work student to network and learn more about professionals within the field I will be entering. I've talked with Augusta a few times since meeting her and she has a very contagious smile and a gentle demeanor, always extremely humble but has achieved so much! Leading a whole international organization is no easy feat. Augusta introduced herself as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a certificate in Veterinary Social Work. She’s earned her social work degree in 2018 and currently works full-time at the Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Her role involves supporting veterinary teams, students, and clients. She shared that although she started in community-based mental health with adolescents, she always felt drawn back to the veterinary field. She actually attended University of Tennessee with some of the others who are involved with this blog!
Q. A little birdie told me that you have a theme song inspired by a dog in an elevator. Can you tell me more about this story and about the community among veterinary social workers?
Augusta shared the heartwarming story behind her theme song. During the IAVSW Summit, her team surprised her by singing “She’s so brave, she’s well-behaved, she is not afraid,” a song originally sung to comfort a dog in an elevator. It became a symbol of love and encouragement from her board members, reinforcing her sense of belonging and confidence as IAVSW president. She reflected on how the veterinary social work community feels deeply supportive, describing it as “like being part of a sorority of best friends doing meaningful work.”
What touched me most was how openly she admitted that even in leadership, she sometimes second-guessed her abilities but over time, she learned to lean on others and now feels far more confident in her work.
“They all stood around me in a circle and sang that song… It was one of those moments that’s really silly, but it gave me the confidence to be like, I’m leading these awesome people and we’re doing really great work.”
I think a lot of social workers, myself included, can relate to that. We’re taught early on about the importance of having a support system, and Augusta’s story is a beautiful reminder that none of us lead or grow alone.
Q. I noticed you previously cared for lab animals as a tech and then worked as a vet assistant. Did this influence your perspective on the human–animal bond?
Augusta explained that her early work with lab animals, mostly rats and mice, taught her that compassion doesn’t depend on ownership.
“You don’t have to actually have the animal to care about them… even though they were lab animals, I learned there were a lot of safeguards to make sure they had the best life possible.”
She learned how animal care and research ethics can coexist with empathy and dignity. As someone who used to own rats, I loved her enthusiasm about her story with them. Later, working as a veterinary assistant deepened her understanding of the emotional realities of vet med: burnout, grief, and compassion fatigue. Those experiences helped her recognize the importance of supporting both professionals and clients, ultimately guiding her toward veterinary social work.
Q. Did you have a pet that inspired you?
Augusta reminisced about her lifelong connection with animals. Her first dog, a Great Pyrenees named Willow, was her childhood companion. Later, she adopted Ruby, a red miniature dachshund who became her “heart dog” the pet that changes everything. Ruby’s impact helped cement Augusta’s emotional connection to the human–animal bond that underpins her work. “She was really my heart dog that kind of catapulted everything.”
Q. Being president of an international organization seems like a pretty big deal. Can you share more about your journey to becoming president of IAVSW?
Augusta humbly described her path to leadership as unexpected. She joked that her colleague Aviva “roped her into it,” but quickly realized the importance of relying on others’ strengths. Starting as Vice President in 2022, she transitioned into the president role by learning through trial and error. The experience taught her to ask for help and lead with authenticity and teamwork, a core value she applies in every aspect of her work.
Q. IAVSW has core pillars like education, advocacy, community belonging, and research. Which of those do you see needing the most growth or focus right now, and why?
Augusta emphasized that education is the foundation of progress in veterinary social work because its pillars are advocacy, community, and research. She explained that ongoing education helps practitioners understand their populations, define their roles, and communicate effectively about their work. By educating both professionals and the public, the field can grow stronger and gain lasting impact. “Education… encompasses a lot of those other pillars too. Knowing what you’re doing, who your population is, what you hope to achieve, the message that you’re putting out, and how you’re educating others about the work that you do is really important.”
Q. The field of veterinary social work is still emerging in many parts of the world. What lessons from IAVSW’s growth would you share with people trying to develop VSW standards internationally?
“Surround yourself with that interdisciplinary team… they’re going to give you insight to other challenges or resources you might be blind to. It also helps increase advocacy and that buy-in from others.”
Augusta stressed the importance of collaboration and confiding in those you work with. She explained that building relationships with professionals across fields, especially veterinarians, helps create buy-in and reduces resistance to new ideas. Surrounding yourself with diverse experts also broadens perspective, strengthens advocacy, and ensures that new programs consider every possible challenge and opportunity. As someone who stepped out of their comfort zone and learned how to network, it was nice to hear that Augusta faced some of the same struggles when she first started. She gave me something to look forward to, because after practicing this skill over her career, she was so easy and pleasant to talk to!
Lasting Impressions
Augusta O’Reilly is such a wonderful example for new social workers—myself included—of how far you can go when you learn to lean on others, build genuine connections, and, most importantly, believe in yourself. Through her openness and humility, she shows that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about creating space for collaboration and growth.
Her journey from working with lab animals to leading the International Association of Veterinary Social Work highlights how passion and persistence can shape a career is inspiring. Augusta reminds us that self-reliance and community go hand in hand; she doesn’t just talk about teamwork and self-trust, she's learned it and lives in it day to day.
I’m deeply grateful to her for the opportunity to connect, to practice networking in a field that’s still growing, and to learn from others who are the heart of veterinary social work! Speaking with her reminded me that our profession thrives when we lift each other up and that belief in ourselves is often strongest when it’s reflected back through the people who inspire us.
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