Post on 16-Jan-2016
Aging with Pets:Innovations and Insights from
Texas APS
Rachel Duer, APS Program Specialist
Joann Tobias-Molina, APS Director
Texas Conference on AgingAustin
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Workshop Highlights
Why pets matter
APS pet survey
Banfield Charitable Trust Grant
Case Examples/Resources
Why Pets Matter
Human-Animal Bond DefinedAmerican Veterinary Medical
Association defines the human animal bond as:
“A mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both”.
The Human-Animal Bond - PeoplePets provide a significant source
of unconditional love and acceptance for owners
Pets provide stability, routine and a sense of normalcy during life transitions
Pets also provide a sense of responsibility and purpose outside of self
The Human-Animal Bond - PetsUnconditional acceptance
Constancy and faithfulness regardless of changing life conditions
Total dependence on owners or caregivers
Dependency creates reciprocal relationship
The Human-Animal BondStudy on socialization of senior
men and women with pet dogs:◦Dogs were a primary focus of
conversation◦Buffered the sense of isolation
seniors felt
Relationships with pets helped increase socializing effects for elders who retired, became widowed and/or had little contact with family.
The Human-Animal Bond
Pets are often symbols for owners. They may:
Represent relationships, past or present
Represent children of childless couples or empty nest adults; or,
Be the only social outlet or interaction for an otherwise socially isolated life for an elderly client
The Facts68% of U.S. households now own at least
one pet◦ Dogs – 56.7 million homes◦ Cats – 45.3 million homes
Pet spending has risen from $17 billion in 1994 to almost $60 billion in 2014
The largest expenditure is pet food, followed by vet care, supplies and medications – the combined total for these three alone is almost $50 billion
The FactsBasic annual expenses for dogs and
cats include costs of both surgical and routine vet visits, pet food and treats, grooming and boarding, and miscellaneous expenses like vitamins and toys
Dogs - $1,650 per yearCats - $1,271 per year
Source – American Pet Products Association 2013 Survey
The FactsBetween 3.5 and 4 million pets are
relinquished and euthanized in U.S. shelters each year
It is estimated that more than 500,000 are surrendered due to the pet outliving their human
Spay and neuter programs have reduced the number of pets, but there is no formal strategy to address pets being relinquished due to the death of their human
APS Pet Survey
Texas APSMission: Protect older adults and
people with disabilities from abuse, neglect and exploitation
Texas defines older adults as 65 and older, and adults with disabilities as 18-64
Two investigative programs – In-Home and Provider
Why is APS focusing on services for client’s pets?
Clients refuse to cooperate with service plans because their pets may go without proper care
Volunteers and other free resources for pet care are hard to find or do not exist
Caseworkers are paying for pet goods and services out of their own pocket or caring for client’s pets on their own time (evenings and weekends)
APS Pet SurveyIn February of 2014, APS conducted a
survey regarding clients and pets in advance of a new policy
Survey was sent out electronically to different levels of staff (Caseworkers to Regional Directors) and across every region – responses were anonymous
Here are some sample results from that survey:
APS Pet SurveyIn the last year, 47.2% responded “Yes”
to the question that a client’s home received services to mitigate infestation, but the pet was not treated for the same pest infestation
56.3% responded at least 1-2 pets would have required pet infestation treatment, and 34.5% responded 3-4 pets would have required pet infestation treatment
APS Pet Survey In the last year, 41.4% of
respondents indicated that 1-2 times they encountered a client with pets or animals in need of food who lacked resources to obtain pet food
On average, 52.3% of the cases where animals were in need of food involved 1-2 pets
APS Pet Survey
75% responded in the last year, they were unable to locate a resource for a pet needing emergency shelter due to a client’s emergency removal 1-2 times
On average, 66.2% responded 1-2 pets required temporary boarding in the last year
Banfield Charitable Trust Grant
The mission of Banfield Charitable Trust “BCT” is to fund or administer programs to keep pets and people together and to facilitate solutions to ensure no pet owner will ever have to surrender their pet.
Pet Advocacy Grants (Texas APS grant)
Pet food program (partnering with Meals on Wheels and area food banks)
Pet Peace of Mind (hospice program)
Emergency and preventative veterinary care programs
BCT funds cannot be used for the following:
Clients who are hoarders (BCT standards are 3 animals or less)
Clients who will not be reunited with their animal(s)
Pets that require serious medical attention and/or costly surgery
Pets that require euthanasia that is not medically necessary
Texas DFPS Banfield Grant$30,000.00 from July, 2014 – July, 2015
Piloted program in 2 Regions (Lubbock/San Antonio) then opened up to the state in December, 2014
Paying for the following:◦ Basic veterinary care/health certificates◦ Pet food◦ Grooming◦ Temporary shelter/boarding◦ Other items such as collars, leashes, cat litter,
basic pet supplies, etc.
What can caseworkers purchase?Food Flea and tick
medicationBeddingTemporary
Shelter/BoardingOTC or Rx
medicationGrooming SuppliesVaccinations
Pet groomingHealth certificatesPest Treatment
from vetVet services for
illnessMinor surgical
proceduresOther goods and
services as needed
What does this all mean?
Additional resources and funds to assist with
service plans when it comes to pet issues;
More cooperation from clients because their
pets are safe and cared for; and,
Two funding sources to ensure all options are
considered (BCT and Purchased Client Services,
or PCS).
Who are we really helping with these funds?
We are still serving our clients!
BCT and/or PCS funds should be used in conjunction with the APS pet policy and the service plan to remedy abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
APS Pet PolicySome APS clients are reluctant to cooperate or refuse to participate in the development or implementation of a service plan due to concerns their pet(s) will not be cared for adequately. APS may use Purchased Client Services (PCS) funds to provide for pet needs as a service to these clients. APS defines a pet as any animal kept as a companion, usually in or around one's home, typically domesticated and cared for attentively and often affectionately.
Payment for pet needs on behalf of a client is made: when there are no family members, community supports, or volunteer resources available to
assist with needs of the pet; as part of a service plan to remedy an immediate danger or ongoing abuse, neglect, or financial
exploitation; and for no more than the legal number of pets covered by local ordinances.
The APS specialist utilizes local resources to implement long-term solutions when the client:
can no longer make decisions regarding the care of his or her pet; will not be reunited with his or her pet; or dies during the investigation or service delivery.
Local resources include, but are not limited to:
pet adoption agencies; animal shelters; animal control; and other community resources.
The APS specialist does not:
assume possession of the pet; attempt to rehome the pet; or transport a client's pet.
Do not progress an investigation to service delivery only for pet needs.
APS Pet Policy - HighlightsDefines “pet” as a companion
animal
Payment for pet needs must accompany a service plan for the client to remedy abuse, neglect or exploitation
Attempt connection with family and local resources first
DFPS Release of Liability
DFPS waives responsibility for the condition of the pet
The client consents to the goods or services provided by APS
Creates a photographic record of the pet
Creates a link between the service provider and the client/owner
Allows BCT access to limited information about the client and their pet for reporting
and promotional purposes
Local Resources and VolunteersCollaborating with local pet rescue
groups and other pet advocacy groups is a great way to build resources and volunteers for the project
Focus is keeping the same veterinarian for pet services and pet diet when at all possible, but APS can choose any reputable vendor for goods and services
Case Example
Toby
Case ExampleBandit
Case ExampleIsabella
ResourcesBanfield Charitable Trust
◦Peace of Mind Grants◦Pet Advocacy Grants◦Pet Food Distributionwww.banfieldcharitabletrust.org
Meals on Wheels◦Pet Food Distribution Program Grant◦Veterinary Assistance Grantwww.mealsonwheelsamerica.org
ResourcesASPCA
◦Low cost spay and neuter programswww.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter
2nd Chance 4 Pets◦All-virtual volunteer non-profit
organization, advocacy group◦Help with emergency planning for pet,
pet trusts, emergency kits for pets, etc.www.2ndchance4pets.org
ResourcesGrey Muzzle Organization
◦Funding for senior dog programs nationwide
◦Tomball, Central and North Texas, Bryanwww.greymuzzle.org
Pawsitively Texas◦Low cost pet services in Texas◦Adoptions◦No kill shelterswww. pawsitivelytexas.com
Questions
Contact InformationRachel Duer
◦210-871-3036◦Rachel.Duer@dfps.state.tx.us
Joann Tobias-Molina◦512-438-5518◦Joann.Tobias-Molina@dfps.state.tx.us