Dogs:<b> </b>Teachers of what matters, in social work and in life

This article articulates personal, professional, and spiritual reflections on reverence for life, experienced through connection with animals. It links values and beliefs learned from associating with animals with social work principles as outlined in Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Ethics, while exploring how they manifest in social work praxis and lifelong learning. The article is illustrated with vignettes from the author’s life, offering suggestions on how social work praxis can be enriched by the engagement of animals. Dogs, dolphins, butterflies, and pigeons feature in this unusual contribution that explores human-animal communication and its relevance for social work.