Great motivator, encouraging owners to exercise – v beneficial
for depression. Pets can be very calming too, stroking playing with and just
being with a pet gives owners a chance to calm their minds. Gives day purpose
and rewards and helps low people feel valuable and needed.
Dogs lead to conversation and social interaction, helping
owners to stay connected and be less withdrawn. More social relationships and
friendships tend to help with mental health.
Pets are great companions, giving owners company, security
and someone to share routine with.
“We carried out a study
with Cats Protection in
2011 which involved over 600 cat- and
non-cat-owning respondents, with
half of them describing themselves as currently having a mental health problem. The
survey found that 87% of people who
owned a cat felt it had a positive impact on their wellbeing, while 76% said they could cope with everyday life
much better thanks to the company of their feline friends.
Half of the cat owners felt that their cat's presence and
companionship was most helpful, followed by a third of respondents who described stroking a cat as a calming and
helpful activity. “
Currently
no charities that train dogs only for mental health problems
Psychiatric
Service dogs are trained in some other countries, but not in the UK (Assistance
Dogs UK)
Vet
students providing clinics for homeless dogs
In
partnership with charities in Glasgow, London and Liverpool
Once a month
out of drop-in centres – all treatment by students under professional
supervision. Providing essential training to vets and raising awareness of homeless hounds to fresh faces of the profession.
Friendly and informal environment encouraged, letting dogs and owners feel more comfortable.
· Vaccinations
· Microchipping
· Flea/worming treatment
· Dog food, blankets,
toys and more supplies
· Referral for advanced
veterinary care
London Branch
partnered with west London Mission day centrehttp://www.wlm.org.uk/wldc
Serving London’s homeless and marginalized since 1887.
Aiding people dealing with homelessness, personal issues, offending or chronic addiction.
Innovative projects with street homeless, ex soldiers and men with alcoholism.
Co-ordinates with Westminster night shelter to aid homeless:
2017 will be 8th year, partnering 13 churches and a synagogue to provide accommodation for rough sleeper Oct – May
One of 90+ schemes cross country, groups of all faiths and religions work together to help rough sleepers have a place to stay
“2015-2016, was a great year for the project. 63 homeless people used the service, with 39 guests moving into accommodation. 11 guests began paid employment. 6 users were reconnected to relatives in their country of origin, and our project workers at West London Day Centre are still working with the others.
https://getleashedmag.com/2016/05/03/homeless-people-and-pets-should-they-or-shouldnt-they-have-them/Can
homeless people support pets when they seemingly can’t support themselves.
Homeless people can be lonelier and more vulnerable than most – pets can
provide companionship and love.
Can also display a more human side to homeless people, helping them get more aid from passers.
However, should that money be going to homeless individual?
Can also display a more human side to homeless people, helping them get more aid from passers.
However, should that money be going to homeless individual?
“– 3.5 million1 Americans
are homeless and five to 10% of them have cats or dogs. In some areas of the
country it’s as high as 24%. IN CANADA the number of homeless in any given
year is between 150,000 – 300,000. IN TORONTO ALONE it is estimated that 10% of homeless
people have pets.
I also found some
pretty dramatic and interesting statistics on THE HOMELESS HUB:
-In one study of HOMELESS ADULTS IN
CALIFORNIA, 74% said that their pet was their only source of
companionship and love.
-In another, this
time with HOMELESS WOMEN
LIVING IN SHELTERS IN SIX CANADIAN CITIES, 51% said pets
were a source of comfort and 82% reported a sense of loss when they had to
surrender their pets in order to stay in shelters. Sadly, in all of Toronto,
though, there’s only one shelter (FRED VICTOR BETHLEHEM UNION SHELTER)
that allows pets other than service animals.
-In yet another,
of 398 YOUTH IN LA,
23% had pets, 84.5% said they provided company, 79.3% said they made them feel
loved and 70.7% reported their pets gave them someone
to love.”
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Woof-program-offers-second-chances-3781597.php
(AMERICAN BUT GOOD AND INTERESTING PROGRAMME)
San Francisco based, seven week session teaching ex-homeless (supportive housing residents) how to care for problematic dogs. Program called Wonderful Opportunities for Occupants and Fidos (WOOF). Participants get paid (small, weekly stipend) but must not beg for extra money on streets.
Criticized by many media outlets, Week Magazine: "a classic bleeding-heart liberal approach to a social problem."
PETA wrote to mayor commending idea: "Most former panhandlers are financially destitute because of because of struggles with substance abuse and mental-health issues of their own,' " PETA wrote. "It should be out of the question to play Russian roulette with these animals."
Rebecca Katz, director of Animal Care and Control says response is small-minded with hopes to prove critics wrong. Shelter is jam-packed with dogs brought by people made unemployed or homeless.
"the small dogs are being kept in cat cages, rescue groups around the state have told Katz not to call them for help because they're jammed too, and more pets are being euthanized. The shelter is putting down 48 dogs per month, compared with 28 per month before the recession struck."
Euthanized animals could have been adopted but shelter has annual budget of $60 000 for all behaviour and training.
Pairing animals with formerly homeless keeps them from being killed.
Katz: "Homeless people and supportive housing residents sometimes make the best animal companions because they're with them 24/7, despite what PETA thinks"
Homeless are usually ignored but pets adored.
San Francisco based, seven week session teaching ex-homeless (supportive housing residents) how to care for problematic dogs. Program called Wonderful Opportunities for Occupants and Fidos (WOOF). Participants get paid (small, weekly stipend) but must not beg for extra money on streets.
Criticized by many media outlets, Week Magazine: "a classic bleeding-heart liberal approach to a social problem."
PETA wrote to mayor commending idea: "Most former panhandlers are financially destitute because of because of struggles with substance abuse and mental-health issues of their own,' " PETA wrote. "It should be out of the question to play Russian roulette with these animals."
Rebecca Katz, director of Animal Care and Control says response is small-minded with hopes to prove critics wrong. Shelter is jam-packed with dogs brought by people made unemployed or homeless.
"the small dogs are being kept in cat cages, rescue groups around the state have told Katz not to call them for help because they're jammed too, and more pets are being euthanized. The shelter is putting down 48 dogs per month, compared with 28 per month before the recession struck."
Euthanized animals could have been adopted but shelter has annual budget of $60 000 for all behaviour and training.
Pairing animals with formerly homeless keeps them from being killed.
Katz: "Homeless people and supportive housing residents sometimes make the best animal companions because they're with them 24/7, despite what PETA thinks"
Homeless are usually ignored but pets adored.
https://www.kent.ac.uk/law/news/index.html?view=2220
Research from Prof Helen Carr suggests re-framing ideals towards homeless people and pets and understanding their relationships, negative perception of homeless companions could shift.
Homeless people show collective responsibility for their pets and, due to
relationship, collective responsibility for homelessness itself.
issue bought to light in James Bowen’s 2012 book, ‘A Street Cat named Bob’ and the 2016 film adaptation.
Carr explains similarities between book and face-to-face research among homeless people, many calling animals life changers, savers and formerly homeless people saying their pet kept them around.
issue bought to light in James Bowen’s 2012 book, ‘A Street Cat named Bob’ and the 2016 film adaptation.
Carr explains similarities between book and face-to-face research among homeless people, many calling animals life changers, savers and formerly homeless people saying their pet kept them around.
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