1. Aging with Pets: Innovations and Insights from Texas APS Rachel Duer, APS Program Specialist Joann Tobias-Molina, APS Director Texas Conference on Aging Austin Thursday, July 30, 2015

2. Workshop Highlights Why pets matter APS pet survey Banfield Charitable Trust Grant Case Examples/Resources

3. Why Pets Matter

4. Human-Animal Bond Defined American 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”.

5. The Human-Animal Bond - People Pets 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

6. The Human-Animal Bond - Pets Unconditional acceptance Constancy and faithfulness regardless of changing life conditions Total dependence on owners or caregivers Dependency creates reciprocal relationship

7. The Human-Animal Bond Study 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.

8. 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

9. The Facts 68% 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

10. The Facts Basic 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 year Cats - $1,271 per year  Source – American Pet Products Association 2013 Survey

11. The Facts Between 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

12. APS Pet Survey

13. Texas APS Mission: 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

14. 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 )

15. APS Pet Survey In 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:

16. APS Pet Survey In 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Banfield Charitable Trust Grant

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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.

24. What can caseworkers purchase? Food Flea and tick medication Bedding Temporary Shelter/Boarding OTC or Rx medication Grooming Supplies Vaccinations Pet grooming Health certificates Pest Treatment from vet Vet services for illness Minor surgical procedures Other goods and services as needed

25. 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).

26. 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.

27. APS Pet Policy

28. APS Pet Policy - Highlights Defines “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

29. 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

30. Local Resources and Volunteers Collaborating 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

31. Case Example Toby

32. Case Example Bandit

33. Case Example Isabella

34. Resources Banfield Charitable Trust ◦ Peace of Mind Grants ◦ Pet Advocacy Grants ◦ Pet Food Distribution www.banfieldcharitabletrust.org Meals on Wheels ◦ Pet Food Distribution Program Grant ◦ Veterinary Assistance Grant www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

35. Resources ASPCA ◦ Low cost spay and neuter programs www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter 2 nd 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

36. Resources Grey Muzzle Organization ◦ Funding for senior dog programs nationwide ◦ Tomball, Central and North Texas, Bryan www.greymuzzle.org Pawsitively Texas ◦ Low cost pet services in Texas ◦ Adoptions ◦ No kill shelters www. pawsitivelytexas.com

37. Questions

38. Contact Information Rachel Duer ◦ 210-871-3036 ◦ Rachel.Duer@dfps.state.tx.us Joann Tobias-Molina ◦ 512-438-5518 ◦ Joann.Tobias-Molina@dfps.state.tx.us