There is much research about the positive impact that domestic animals can have to general mental health and well-being. Something about the non-judgemental nature of interactions, I presume – although I’m sure that more extensive scientific research can be located if necessary.
Often working with people who live alone – the issue of pet management when a sudden illness or hospital admission takes place, becomes very real.
There are some very clear guidelines regarding responsibility for animals – the National Assistance Act (1948 ) clearly states that the local authority social services department has a duty to protect the property of someone who is admitted to hospital if no other arrangements can be made and for the purposes of law, pets are property! Local authority Social Services department, I wonder who that might be… ah.. yes.
Going back a few years to my first job post-qualification. I was working in an over-65s Team in inner city London (but a different borough from where I am working now).
The first few weeks were something of a shock to me. I’d done one of my placements in a similar setting but from managing a caseload of 4 or 5 on my placement to finding 30 files waiting for me on my desk is something of a leap – but I was enthusiastic and eager (and still am of course!).
Happily, the team and the management were very supportive and this was also helped by the fact that two of the people I had studied with were employed in the same office.
We had a standard revolving duty system whereby we would have a couple of days covering anything that wasn’t allocated to a specific worker – usually emergencies.
As it was a large office with a few locality teams based there, there were always at least a couple of us ‘on duty’ taking it in turns to take calls about basically anything.
I always got a bit nervous about duty work because it really could be anything. I’m a lot less concerned about it now because I know the systems and what can and can’t be done – but at the beginning I was worried about what might come up.
One day, I took a call from a woman who was going into hospital for planned surgery. She had a dog, Charlie. . Charlie needed to be looked after and she had no family or friends. Just her and Charlie.
After a swift discussion it is confirmed that we can, indeed, arrange and pay for the kennelling of her dog for this purpose.
I spoke to the council animal warden who gave me some details of kennels. He explained about the lines of responsibility and to cut a longer story short – it wasn’t his. Social Services Department according to the law. He was very clear about that. Still, it was all fairly straightforward. Everything sorted. Until the kennels asked about payments.
Every action that needs a cost, requires a care schedule – and every care schedule is costed (now we do this electronically – back in the day, it was a pen and paper exercise – ok, word processor- it wasn’t that long ago).
And so it was that I found myself setting up a care package for Charlie the Labrador. There was something faintly comical as I drew up a list of Charlie’s needs (seriously, I did) – but it appealed and I became almost creative (needs lots of attention, strokes, twice daily walks.. you get the idea).
In my current job, the animal warden will do most of the leg-work now – much more amenable. We just make the calls and ensure that animals are fed and watered in the meantime. I have known of social workers taking animals home though.
Although I’ve never had need to use them – I recently came across The Cinnamon Trust which seems like a wonderful organisation and charity set up with exactly these kinds of situations in mind.
They have a fostering network of volunteers to look after the pets of people who go into hospital – assist with dog walking for housebound owners and when keep in touch with the owners through letters and photos.
It is definitely something I’ll bear in mind and I’m glad it exists. I am sure Charlie would probably have been happier in a foster home than in a commercial kennel…
Maybe next time..
Filed under: local authority, older people, social care, social work, work | Tagged: animals, care management, cinnamon trust, dog, kennels, london, national assistance act, pet, pet care, social care, social services, social work, uk
I can certainly vouch for the therapeutic benefit of having a cat! I remember a few years ago there was a campaign to allow homeless people to take their dogs into hostels with them – at the time many did not allow it. It would be interesting to see if that has changed much
So interesting to me that it’s government mandated you care for pets in certain situations. That is not the case here.
I loved the idea of you writing a care package for a dog.
I can just imaging the looks we would get here if we even suggested it and omg the paperwork! hey cb, i’m going to take my test friday at 9am. i looked up the time difference and i think you are 6 hours ahead of me here in the south. would appreciate prayers from everyone. 9-1 central time i’m already nauseous
I once saw a sticker (or something) which said “animals are people too!” – I think every living thing should be treated with respect. Good post again cb!
Thanks for all the comments. I would love a cat, Simeon and am working on all my persuasion skills at the moment – hence lots of writing about therapeutic value of animals (which I absolutely agree with).
I am a sucker for animals as might have been obvious by now, although I am currently pet-less..
I never thought of it as unusual, Reas, but we have a different style of government – according to the law there is a duty of protection of ‘moveable’ property and pets are included!!
Sister S – yes, I almost wish I’d kept a copy of it. It still makes me smile when I think about it.
Of course I’ll be thinking of you, Prin. I have a little note on my calendar now and it isn’t when I’m asleep either which is a bonus!
And I like the idea of that sticker, Silva
A heartwarming post. I’m sure Charlie appreciated the care package!
My mum was in social work of one form or another all the time I was growing up, and I remember having ‘foster dogs’ for brief periods sometimes when I was very young – I had never considered it before (don’t all children accept that what goes on in their household is ‘normal’?) but this must be why!
Thanks for that WL, and it may very well be, Steph!
I am in accord with the other Americans in being shocked and jealous of this practice of caring for the pets of those who must enter the hospital. Here, we just dump them off at the shelter, where they stay until they are adopted (best cases) or put down (most of the time). I have to watch myself when it comes to reading your blog. Sometimes it makes me very down on my country.
I should take care to be more cynical lest you be confused into believing everything is wonderful here.. and there I was thinking I was being grumpy!
It is interesting though the attitude to pets. Especially when you consider that for many people who live alone, a domestic animal really can be infused with such love and care. If you are already unwell, it adds another massive layer of worry if you do need to enter hospital or permanent care.. which is why I love the Cinnamon Trust. I wonder if there are any similar charities in the US and if not, maybe it would be a worthy endeavour.. there’s a challenge