Intimate partner violence, especially physical assaults, can result in significant negative physical health problems, including those that affect the functioning of the brain. A growing amount of research is identifying the connection between DV victimization and brain injury. For example, in a study of help-seeking women who experienced moderate to severe forms of DV, nearly 75% reported strangulation and nearly half reported having experienced blows to the head.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious consequence of intimate partner violence (IPV) that is often overlooked or misdiagnosed (Corrigan, Wolfe, Mysiw, Jackson, & Bogner, 2003; St. Ivany & Schminkey, 2016). IPV-related TBI can have debilitating long-term effects on a survivor’s overall function and independence and may masquerade as a number of other physical, social, and mental health issues, preventing survivors from receiving appropriate intervention by health and community professionals (Iverson & Pagoda, 2015; Kwako et al., 2011).

Animal abuse frequently occurs at the same time and the same place as other types of violence, particularly family violence. Because of that close association, this article proposes that it is the responsibility of both animal service and human service professionals to be aware of its occurrence, understand its significance, and promote appropriate professional and policy responses to it.