ELDERPET

ElderPet strives to obtain funding to cover loans, pet food (when donated food is not forthcoming) and veterinary medications. We have done this through grant writing, Charitable Gaming and public relations soliciting donations.

ElderPet hopes to improve the professionalism of pet visitations in our area by working with area facilities and continuing to offer the Pet Partners program. This requires board members and/or volunteers to obtain and maintain Pet Partners Instructor and Evaluators licenses. This year we are sponsoring 2 board members and one member to become evaluators.

This year we are also working with a UNH student to conduct a human animal bond research project to support the field of Animal Assisted Therapy.

We continue to search for Grant writing opportunities.
We are doing more public relations which is bringing in more public support. We have joined United Way which has brought increased exposure.
We have created a facility page on our website which will allow facilities to register with us for pet visits. It also educates them about quality pet visits.

During the 2014 fiscal year (July 1, 2014-June 30, 2105) ElderPet:
• Provided training for 18 Pet Partner Handlers
• Evaluated 55 teams
• Provided R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog program) training materials for 6 Pet Partner Teams
• Pet Partner teams (over 65 active teams!) collectively spent hundreds of hours visiting area hospitals, nursing homes and conducting READ programs.
• Co-hosted a Pet Partner Evaluator Practicum in August and provided scholarships for 3 of our volunteers to become evaluators. (Our current evaluator is retired in September.)
• Is providing pet food for 37 families and our volunteers are delivering that food to most of them.
• Provided 15 no-interest loans for unexpected pet care. (Most recipients are very good about their monthly repayments, but on occasion one will default.)
• Is providing prescription medications via reimbursement or direct payment to veterinary hospitals for 18 client pets with chronic illnesses.

We have received many employee donations through Liberty Mutual Give with Liberty fund matching program which has given us a buffer. We are also screening our loan recipients more and working with them to avoid defaults.