BOONE, N.C. — Lisa Wiborg, MSW, LISW‑S, C‑AAIS, has joined Appalachian State University's Veterinary Technology program as the Wellness and Engagement Coordinator. In this role, she will lead wellness initiatives for students, faculty, and staff and support community‑building across the program.
Wiborg is a licensed independent social worker and veterinary social worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her master's degree in social work from The Ohio State University and completed the post‑graduate Veterinary Social Work certificate at the University of Tennessee. She brings nearly 20 years of experience to the position, beginning her career in human medicine before transitioning to veterinary social work, where she focuses on supporting the people who care for animals.
Wiborg serves as an adjunct professor and faculty liaison at Cleveland State University, supporting its Veterinary Social Work certificate program. She has contributed to national initiatives through the University of Tennessee Center for Veterinary Social Work, including the Inclusive Veterinary Medicine program and Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Circle.
She is the co‑founder of Healing Paws LLC, which provides consultation, education, and supervision in veterinary social work. A graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Wiborg researched reducing stress in veterinary settings through Acceptance and Commitment Training. She currently serves as co‑director of education for the International Association of Veterinary Social Work.
As Wellness and Engagement Coordinator, Wiborg will guide wellness programming; provide one‑on‑one coaching for students, faculty, and staff; teach in areas related to wellness and communication; and collaborate with external partners to strengthen best practices in veterinary technology and nursing education.
In her free time, Wiborg enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her standard poodles, Lincoln and tripod Pretzel. Her soul dog, Scrabble, continues to inspire her work in the human-animal bond.
Please join us in welcoming Wiborg. To learn more about the members of the Veterinary Technology program and their roles, visit rri.appstate.edu/faculty-staff.
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About the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation
Appalachian State University’s Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation is one of 17 academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and serves as a hub for App State faculty, staff and students working on scholarship, teaching and service with rural community partners. The department, which launched in summer 2021, is home to App State’s online, four-year Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology degree and offers seed grants to fund research or service-learning class collaborations that address challenges faced by rural American communities. Learn more about the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation
By Lauren Gibbs
June 1, 2026
BOONE, N.C.
A woman sitting with a large, curly-haired dog on a patterned rug outdoors.
Lisa Wiborg is the new Wellness and Engagement Coordinator in Appalachian State University's Veterinary Technology program. Photo submitted