Monica, you are right. Comprehensive care is lacking in all of our communities.
In spite of the efforts of animal welfare organizations and veterinary service providers, there are significant gaps in service. The Program for Pet Health Equity at the University Tennessee has spent the past four years building and testing AlignCare, a system of healthcare to fill gaps in service. In building AlignCare, we considered ways to address the primary barriers faced by underserved families, the capabilities and limitations of animal welfare organizations and veterinary service providers, and how to better align community resources and activities to improve access to veterinary care. Families enrolled in AlignCare are receiving comprehensive veterinary care.
I encourage you and others to consider attending the
2021 Virtual Access to Veterinary Care Symposium, October 11 & 12, from 12:00 - 5:00 EST. Attendees will learn about AlignCare and how the system worked in 8 test communities. We will also be sharing plans for expanding to interested communities.
Our nation is too resourced to not be able to ensure access to healthcare for human and non-human family members. Through our collective and organized efforts, all pets and their people will have access to healthcare.
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Michael J Blackwell, DVM, MPH, FNAP
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.)
Director, Program for Pet Health Equity
Center for Behavioral Health Research
https://pphe.utk.eduAccess To Care Specialist
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-08-2021 02:05 PM
From: Monica Frenden-Tarant
Subject: What are the most common veterinary issues in your community? able to offer a "spectrum of care"?
I have yet to find a community that has truly comprehensive coverage available for low-cost or free emergency care, or at least enough to meet demand. Many shelters, orgs, even private clinics are offering all that they can in this department, and that is hugely impactful. But when a true emergency strikes - hit by car, urinary or GI blockage, etc, and the quote is thousands of dollars - I don't know of a community where all pet owners of all incomes have access to care to avoid surrender or euthanasia.
I always thought if I had Bezos-money, this would be my next passion project...
I'm also tagging @Donell Randolph to see if he'd talk about the amazing community clinics Oakland Animal Services is providing, including emergency care services.
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Monica Frenden-Tarant
Maddie's® Director of Feline Lifesaving
American Pets Alive!
Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2021 09:58 AM
From: Alexis Pugh
Subject: What are the most common veterinary issues in your community? able to offer a "spectrum of care"?
Hi @Amber Freiwald- so here at Memphis Animal Services, we try to make our medical assistance money goes as far as possible by working specifically with local veterinarians who understand our funds are not unlimited, and that the most expensive option may not always be possible. We refer people seeking help with medical care to these partner vets, and ask them to make the most economical choice possible that will still provide the pet quality of life. So sometimes that may not be a surgical repair of a fracture, and may be an amputation instead.
The vast majority of our requests are for things like mass removals and biopsies, traumatic injuries, and parvo/ illness treatment.
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Alexis Pugh
Director, Memphis Animal Services
www.memphisanimalservices.com
Organizational Management
& Pet Support Services Specialist
Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2021 08:57 AM
From: Amber Freiwald
Subject: What are the most common veterinary issues in your community? able to offer a "spectrum of care"?
Provide a Spectrum of Care to Increase Veterinary Access to More Clients
https://www.aspcapro.org/research/provide-spectrum-care-increase-veterinary-access-more-clients
A 2018 survey by the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition found that 28% of pet owners experienced a barrier to veterinary care in the last 2 years, and 23% of pet owners were unable to provide preventive care for at least one of their pets. Combine that with Pets for Life data that approximately 17 million pets living in underserved communities have never seen a veterinarian, and the magnitude of the issue becomes clear.
Many veterinarians practice with the goal of providing the most technologically advanced and expensive treatment option which may or may not lead to the best possible outcome or longest survival.
What are the most common veterinary issues in your community?
Are you able to offer a "spectrum of care" to alleviate barriers?
#AccesstoCare
#Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization
#PetSupportServices*
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Thank you all for all you do!
Amber Freiwald
Maddie's Fund
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