Elderly people and
companion animals
placement
For the love of animals and for the love of people!
How I came to find myself
here! Flinders University Master of Social Work student
First placement (500 hours July-Dec)
Interest in community development
Animal lover
Tipperary’s story
History of placement Animals in Society Group
Appreciating human animal companion bond and
research and practice gaps
Desire to enable community engagement and service
delivery to encompass companion animals
Conception to birth Joint placement with
Anglicare SA Home Care South & West, Active Living
RSPCA South Australia
Opportunities for inter-agency collaboration and mutual support
Demonstrates interconnectedness of human issues and animal issues
Placement detailsRaising profile and issues of the elderly residing in their
own home with companion animals through:
Research project
Talking and connecting with:
Elderly people
Service providers & community
Encompassing a literature review
Culminating in production of a community resource
Early observationsPromising!
Literature:
“My Dog Always Eats First: The Homeless and their Animals”(2013,
Irvine, L)
Medical, veterinary, gerontology, psychology, nursing, social
work & sociology sources on this topic
Community:
Few surprised by the importance of companion animals to
elderly people
Two newly acquired dogs to elderly couple story
Companion animals more than a risk assessment
Early obs cont.
Not everyone is convinced! But Leunig reassures!
Early obs cont.
Potential reluctance to plan for separations from
companion animals including relinquishment or death
(Telecross & other service anecdotes)
Is this the individual’s problem?
Exciting City of Yarra “Companion Animal Support
Program for Older People”
Yarra City Companion animal
service cont.
Free to residents who are elderly or have
a disability
Matches volunteers
Evaluation case studies insightful
Foster care for animals – service gap
An animal’s eyes have the power to
speak a great language.
Martin Buber (1878-
1965)
Tribute to a dog
What’s not to love in a
companion animal…Cat Steven’s ‘I love my dog’ says it all….
I love my dog as much as I love you But you may fade, my dog will always come through.
All he asks from me is the food to give him strength All he ever needs is love and that he knows he'll get
So, I love my dog as much as I love you But you may fade, my dog will always come through.
All the pay I need comes shining through his eyes I don't need no cold water to make me realize that
And may we extend these sentiments of love and companionship to all our sentient non-human friends.
Summing up Companion animals hold significant place in the lives of
people, especially the elderly (family, attachment theory, grief & loss issues - disenfranchised)
Full recognition of this in aged care can be ‘hit and miss’ and focused on risk
Supporting the human and companion animal bond has multiple benefits and ripple effects – enabler of social capital
There is ample evidence, including research and existing programs, modeling why and how we should support the human (elderly) companion animal bond that fits with the aged care agenda and the language of choice and independence.
The teamPlacement agencies:
Dr Di Evans - Animal Welfare Advocate, RSPCA South
Australia
Marie Noble - Manager Home Care South & West,
Anglicare SA
Flinders University:
External Field Supervisor - Prof Fiona Verity
Field Coordinator - Ilektra Zabanias
Placement Student - Mary-Rose Alfonsi
The End! Questions or comments
Selected referencesEbenstein H & Wortham J (2001) ‘The Value of Pets in Geriatric Practice: A Program Example’ Journal of Gerontological Social Work, Vol. 35(2) The Haworth Press, Inc.
Morley C & Fook J (2005) ‘The importance of pet loss and some implications for services’, Mortality: Promoting the interdisciplinary study of death and dying, 10:2, 127-143
Risley-Curtiss C (2010) ‘Social Work Practitioners and the Human-Companion Animal Bond: A National Study’ Social Work Vol 55(1) National Association of Social Workers
Sable P (2013) ‘The Pet Connection: An Attachement Perspective’ Clin Soc Work J 41:93-99, Springer
Slatter J, Lloyd C & King R (2012) ‘Homelessness and companion animals: more than just a pet?’ British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(8), 377-383
Walsh F (2009) ‘Human-Animal Bond I: The Relational Significance of Companion Animals’, Family Process, Vol 48, No.4, FPI Inc.
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Services/Older-persons-services/home-and-support-services/Companion-Animal-Support-Program/
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