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Volunteers care for seniors by caring for animals
  
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By ROYCELYN BASTIAN
Community volunteers are making sure that senior citizens have an affordable way to take care of their four-legged friends.
The Service our Seniors program, under the umbrella of the Animals Always Believe in You Foundation, is working with area veterinarians to provide free pet health care for senior citizens’ animals.
“Studies through Johns Hopkins have shown that those who have a pet companion are 50 percent less likely to have a heart attack. Of those who are sick, they are more likely to recover quickly and get back home to their animals,” said Kay Pass, AABY Foundation executive director.
The purpose of the SOS program is to help senior citizens who qualify through the Mission Northeast’s standards will receive free medical exams, heart worm and flea medications as well as spay and neuter procedures for their pets.
AABY Foundation is trying to get more veterinarians to participate by donating a free office visit for senior citizens’ pets. So far, the only veterinarian that has agreed to participate is Dr. Ernest Parson with the Animal Hospital of Humble.
“We are calling on the community to help us provide affordable health care to pets. Animals give their owners unconditional love and senior citizens have given so much during their lives that now is the time for us to give back to them,” Pass said.
Pass feels passionately about the program because she understands how powerful an animal companion is to a human being. When her mother died, Pass’ father had a Doberman that he would take with him on his errands. This led people to strike up a conversation with him and the dog became his connection to the outside world.
“As long as he had the dog, he felt needed and he would get out and do things. Once the dog died, nothing was there for him anymore; he was no longer needed,” Pass said. “We all have family, but they are scattered. If you can see your parents two or three times a week, you are doing good, but an animal is always there for you whether you leave in the morning or come home in the evening.”
In addition to the SOS program, AABY has plans to build its first animal clinic and shelter to administer care to its stray animals but to also provide affordable health care to senior citizens’ pets and low-cost care to others in the community. To start the plan, AABY needs at least $40,000 to pay for the land before Jan. 1. The foundation has the other half of the money, Pass said.
“We are asking all corporations in the area to step up and help give senior citizens the one thing that money can buy: an animal’s love and companionship.”
For more Info
Call AABY at 281-358-4866 or visit www.aaby.org.
The Service our Seniors program, under the umbrella of the Animals Always Believe in You Foundation, is working with area veterinarians to provide free pet health care for senior citizens’ animals.
“Studies through Johns Hopkins have shown that those who have a pet companion are 50 percent less likely to have a heart attack. Of those who are sick, they are more likely to recover quickly and get back home to their animals,” said Kay Pass, AABY Foundation executive director.
The purpose of the SOS program is to help senior citizens who qualify through the Mission Northeast’s standards will receive free medical exams, heart worm and flea medications as well as spay and neuter procedures for their pets.
AABY Foundation is trying to get more veterinarians to participate by donating a free office visit for senior citizens’ pets. So far, the only veterinarian that has agreed to participate is Dr. Ernest Parson with the Animal Hospital of Humble.
“We are calling on the community to help us provide affordable health care to pets. Animals give their owners unconditional love and senior citizens have given so much during their lives that now is the time for us to give back to them,” Pass said.
Pass feels passionately about the program because she understands how powerful an animal companion is to a human being. When her mother died, Pass’ father had a Doberman that he would take with him on his errands. This led people to strike up a conversation with him and the dog became his connection to the outside world.
“As long as he had the dog, he felt needed and he would get out and do things. Once the dog died, nothing was there for him anymore; he was no longer needed,” Pass said. “We all have family, but they are scattered. If you can see your parents two or three times a week, you are doing good, but an animal is always there for you whether you leave in the morning or come home in the evening.”
In addition to the SOS program, AABY has plans to build its first animal clinic and shelter to administer care to its stray animals but to also provide affordable health care to senior citizens’ pets and low-cost care to others in the community. To start the plan, AABY needs at least $40,000 to pay for the land before Jan. 1. The foundation has the other half of the money, Pass said.
“We are asking all corporations in the area to step up and help give senior citizens the one thing that money can buy: an animal’s love and companionship.”
For more Info
Call AABY at 281-358-4866 or visit www.aaby.org.
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