Pairing Community Outreach With Animal Shelters

[Ellabella44]

Volunteering with a local cat shelter has helped me by giving me a reason to go out and be among people again. The cats have also been great therapy for me.

I have done a search for something like pit bulls and parolees but for trauma survivors and even though my city has r*** crisis centers, trauma centers, a boys and girls village, etc, we do not have something like that.

I met a woman who is part of a group opening an addiction / mental health/ community outreach. She is in my 12 step yoga class.

I told her the idea of contacting local animal shelters and seeing if they would take people from the outreach as volunteers for some shelters that desperately need more people.

Free animal therapy, shelters get volunteer staff they need, and my personal experience has been that people who are involved in rescues have compassion towards people who have been mistreated too. Making this type of environment into a safe place to be and gain confidence again.

One question is if this was offered in your community, would it be a service you would use? (Matching traumatized volunteers with animal shelters that are no kill)

And secondly if anyone knows of something like this that exists can you link it to me here so I can research what they did to start this.

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

Animals are wonderful therapy, indeed. That's a great idea. :)

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

Pictures of my Torties

 

[The Albatross]

We have a program that pairs seniors/elderly with pets. Kudos for the program and your involvement. I also know that there are programs that match up those who are incarcerated with a pet. I think it's a great idea.

 

[Ellabella44]

Hmm maybe I should contact one of those if I can find one @The Albatross to find some research on how to go about making this happen.

@Whispering_Truth yes they are. Im really interested in seeing if I can make this work

 

[The Albatross]

Depending on the mental illness I expect any organization operating on the idea that "any home is better than none" would be an error. Screening I expect would be paramount.

 

[Ocean5]

One question is if this was offered in your community, would it be a service you would use? (Matching traumatized volunteers with animal shelters that are no kill)

Yes - I think this is a great idea!! I miss my dogs from youth...they where always there for me. Unfortunately my apartment building won't allow pets, so I can't take in temporary shelter. Or I would. But I have been researching volunteering at shelters lately.

 

[Ellabella44]

Yep, its especially that type of situation I think this would help the most. And even those who can have animals at home, being with an animal shelter can be a bridge to being around people and learning to trust again.

 

[Ocean5]

@Ellabella44

bridge to being around people and learning to trust again.

I was looking at volunteering to help animals, and them helping me at the same time. They never judge and calm me.

Now that you mention it could help with learning to trust people again. Since I would be around trustworthy people.

 

[Friday]

One question is if this was offered in your community, would it be a service you would use? (Matching traumatized volunteers with animal shelters that are no kill)

Nope. Although I'm sure many would.