Homelessness Youth and Their Pets Healthcare Clinics.
Each monthly One Health Clinic will host a team of healthcare providers who will deliver healthcare to youth and their pets at the same time. Services provided will help participants optimize their own health and the health of their pets, while strengthening the human-animal bond. Together this leads to better health for the entire community.
Janet Hendrickson, President of Changing the Streets and a Nurse Practitioner said, “I have had many patients who will do things for their pets before helping themselves. Their pet is their family and the strength of their bond is evident. By offering veterinary care side by side with their own care, it allows me as the healthcare provider the opportunity to connect with my patients in a much more meaningful way.”
These One Health Clinics will also allow the youth at Wind Youth Services an opportunity to learn about their own health and the health of their pets and how caring for themselves is as important as caring for their four-legged family member.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines One Health as the recognition that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. It is a collaborative, multi-sectoral, and trans-disciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
The importance of a One Health approach to healthcare delivery is paramount. Currently, in humans, 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases are spread from animals.
Changing the Streets helps underserved communities through innovative programs in the spirit of the One Health Initiative. We aim to help people, animals and the environment flourish through changing health, changing minds and changing communities. To learn more about how Changing the Streets is creating healthier communities, visit: changingthestreets.org
Contact: Janet Hendrickson
916-452-8681
Janet.hendrickson@changingthestreets.org
