As we kick off 2020, we here at the HSoMC have a lot to be excited about. In 2019, we placed more than 2,000 animals, we laid the groundwork to purchase an x-ray machine, we welcomed five new board members, and we adopted new mission and vision statements. Our current mission statement is to “...provide temporary shelter and care for displaced animals, promote responsible pet care and enrich our community through animals.”  I am proud to say that the HSoMC meets those goals on a daily basis. 

 

Although 2019 was a tremendous year, we are even more excited about 2020. Our Board of Directors is a working board comprised of dedicated people from diverse backgrounds and skills but sharing the same commitment to the HSoMC. In addition to our current achievements, we have new initiatives and strategies to help grow the HSoMC and move us towards our goal of sustainability.

 

Since we do not receive any dedicated funding from local or state government, we rely on our operations revenue, grants, donations and the generosity of our community. During a recent presentation I was making, one of the audience commented that their organization “helps people, not animals.” While the HSoMC does focus on animal placement, I have personally witnessed the comfort, joy, confidence and other feelings of well-being that animals provide to humans. As I thought about it more though, I realized that the person who said that to me just hadn’t had the privilege to have experienced what I and other people who work with animals know. Viewed from another perspective, this was an opportunity to focus part of our 2020 strategy on educating people about the benefits of animal and human interaction. As a result, we are adding a new section to the HSoMC newsletter that will highlight the third part of our mission statement and how we “enrich our community through animals.”

If we look at it from a psychological standpoint, there are different theories that help explain these bonds – one being the Social Support Theory. In the context of a human and dog relationship, this theory explains how the social support in relationships between humans and dogs can help decrease loneliness, anxiety, and depression and enrich quality of life. The responsibility we discharge in caring for our pets increases our self-esteem and confidence. Additional benefits include exercise and the comfort of knowing that we have provided a safe and loving environment within which they can thrive. As dog owners and lovers, we sometimes find it difficult to fully explain how our bond with our dog impacts us, but we can be assured that the relationship formed is mutually beneficial.

Ghost, Brownie, Scooby and Lou Lou were all adopted on their first day at the HSoMC.
 

• Create a safe, familiar space. An animal who has lost or is losing vision may feel vulnerable and anxious, so it’s important to create a consistent routine and a safe, comfortable home environment. Owners should block off stairs and swimming pools, cover sharp corners on furniture and remove protruding branches and other potential hazards in your yard.
• Set up sound, scent and touch cues. You can help a blind pet navigate his environment with his other senses. Examples include scent markers such as lavender or vanilla, wind chimes and tactile markers, such as textured mats or rugs.
• Slowly introduce the unfamiliar. Blind pets can feel more vulnerable around strangers or in unfamiliar environments. Talk to them in reassuring tones whenever there is a new situation or before you touch them. Have visitors say their names so that they are not startled. When they are sleeping, let them know you are present by making a sound or putting a treat in front of their nose before you wake them.
• Help foster resilience. How easily pets adjust to blindness can depend on their age, personality and other factors, such as whether they were born blind or lost their vision suddenly. But with time and patience, a blind pet may surprise you.
• Consult your veterinarian or an experienced trainer. This can help with any medications or advice for how you can best attend to your pet’s specific needs.