My Dog is My Home: Building a One Health Clinic Collaborative for Human and Animal Well-Being

The human-animal bond (HAB) between people and pets can be so strong that people experiencing homelessness may forego services or food for themselves to provide care for their pet. The One Health Clinic, comprised of integrated veterinary and human healthcare teams, creates a positive veterinary care experience that the human healthcare team can build on in real time. The clinic can reduce barriers to animal owner’s physical and mental health access, as well as promoting well-being at both ends of the leash. This workshop from the 2023 My Dog is My Home Co-Sheltering Conference is designed to lead participants through creating One Health Clinics in their communities and tangible next steps.

Presenter(s): John Betts, LMSW, Assistant Vice President, Program Development & Innovation, Breaking Ground; Jill Maddox, Medical Director, Breaking Ground/CUCS/Janian Medical Care; Alejandra Magaña, LMSW, Program Director, Breaking Ground; Katie Kuehl, DVM, Assistant Professor- Shelter Medicine & Outreach, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine

keywords: My Dog is My Home, My Dog is My Home Co-Sheltering Conference, animal well-being, unhoused people with pets,  homelessness; human services; human-animal bond; people and pets; The One Health Clinic; veterinary care; reduce barriers; veterinary and human healthcare; integrated veterinary and human healthcare; well-being at both ends of the leash