More animals getting the help they need thanks to new partnership
Options Veterinary Care has partnered with Eddy House to give homeless youth free vet care for their pets. This means that all animals in the area will now get the help they need.
Options Veterinary Care care opened just three months ago. The facility acts as a safety net for those that can't seek care for their pets elsewhere. Officials believe that everyone should have access to keep their pets healthy so the idea to partner with Eddy House was an easy one.
Options veterinary care officials know lots of homeless youth in the area have pets, and in order to keep those pets while accessing Eddy House services the pets must be up to date on all vaccines. Options offers free services to the youth so the owner can keep the pet with them during hard times.
"It's in order to help the young people be able to access the resources at Eddy House, so many are hesitant to leave their pet in order to go and seek the care and now hopefully that hesitation is gone. I have to say whether it's the young people or the senior citizen at home, especially with COVID-19, we are isolated and these pets are incredibly important to everybody in each walk of life," said Denise Stevens, Clinic Director at Options Veterinary Care.
The first appointment thanks to this partnership was Tuesday, Jan.19th. Matthew brought his dog Mocha to Options for vaccines and an overall health check, which is something he's been trying to do for years and hasn't been able to -- until now.
"Matthew was...I wish you could see the smile on his face, he was so grateful. Youth with animals who are homeless...that's their support system, it's someone that has been with them, someone who they trust. Some of the animals are helping with anxiety, mental health issues, and depression, and so this animal family that they know, that they've been with so it's important to foster that relationship and make sure they can keep their animal with them however option they choose to go," said Gilly Quinn with Eddy House.
Eddy House and Options Veterinary Care officials hope more people will reach out to get the help they need now -- knowing pets can come too.
If you need vet care for your pet, reach out to Options Veterinary Care for help by clicking here or calling (775) 499-3700.
