The Resilient Animal
The Resilient Animal podcast focuses on the people who are involved in animal welfare and the challenges they face (funding, mental health struggles, successes and the heartbreaks).
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
This content is the property of the Association for Human-Animal Bond Studies / Annie Petersen, Ed.D. and is for educational purposes only.
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should contact your own physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical/mental health condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on information from this content. Relying on information provided by this content is done at your own risk, In the event of a medical or mental health emergency, contact your physician or contact 9-1-1 immediately.
The Resilient Animal
Dr. Janet Hoy-Gerlach Open Door Veterinary Collective
In this episode of The Resilient Animal, host Annie Petersen speaks with Dr. Janet Hoy-Gerlach from Open Door Veterinary Collective about the profound impact of human-animal relationships on mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Hoy-Gerlach shares insights from her social work background and research, highlighting how pets can act as protective factors against suicidality, reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and even improve overall quality of life. They discuss the importance of collaboration between human service and animal welfare professionals and unveil resources such as the Emotional Support Animal Resource Page and Pet Help Finder to support individuals and their animal companions. Various initiatives and organizations like the Michelson Foundation and ASPCA are also mentioned for their contributions to pet-inclusive housing and access to veterinary care.
Below are links to some useful resources:
Website: https://opendoorconsults.org/
Dr. Hoy-Gerlach's email address: socialwork@opendoorconsults.org
Social Work Hub: https://opendoorconsults.org/social-work-hub/emotional-support-animals/
Pet Help Finder: https://www.pethelpfinder.org/m/phf
Michelson Found Animals: https://www.foundanimals.org/
American Heart Association - Healthy Bond for Life
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets
