AID-A-PET is a wonderful resource for pet owners who are HIV
positive. The program has been in existence for many years. It was
started by Lori Reardon and other concerned pet lovers who are active
in the HIV Community. For the past several years MANA has
managed AID-A-PET. Here is how AID-A-PET works at MANA.
HOW IS IT SUPPORTED?
AID-A-PET is receives no Ryan White Title I Income, although it
serves all of those who are eligible for the Ryan White System.
Contributions are received from individuals, organizations and
foundations. Contributions are both financial and Gifts-In-Kind. Since
the summer of 2004, MANA has received nearly $2,500 in cash
donations. Generous contributors have been concerned individuals
who have either directly given to the AID-A-PET fund or have
sponsored fund raisers to collect revenue. Students at Wethersfield
High School have collected nearly $1,200 over the past two years.
Private donors have given close to $1,000, and other organizations
have given $245. The remainder of the income has been collected in
AID-A-PET donation cans left in business and other public places.
MANA has just been granted $3,500 through the Louise Ruddell Fund
from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
The Gifts-In-Kind MANA receives are as important as the cash
donations! Individuals, groups and businesses donate pet food and pet
supplies on a regular basis. MANA also receives pet food and supplies
from Food Share of Greater Hartford. There are individuals who
faithfully drop off cat and dog food every month as well as cat litter,
leashes, pet houses and flea and tick collars.
WHY HAVE AID-A-PET?
Some ask why a social service organization provides assistance for people’s pets, when there are
critical needs in other core medical services. One of the most endearing qualities of pets is that
they provide consistent companionship, and they are always ready to give and accept affection.
This attribute of a pet is very important for a person with HIV. Although individuals with HIV
need to be touched and loved as much as anyone else, they often receive less touch from
caregivers than do people with other conditions. Animals can help people feel loved and needed
when human contact is diminished, and consequently enhance a person's ability to deal with the
life changes that accompany devastating illness.
Since there is currently no cure for AIDS, the goal of health care providers is to maintain as high
a quality of life as possible, and to address emotional and social needs of their patients.
Companion animals can play an important role in meeting this goal. A study in 1991 explored the
role of companion animals for people who have AIDS and concluded that animals provide
affection, support, nurturance and acceptance otherwise totally absent in the lives of most
people who have AIDS. Participants in the study emphasized that their pets helped them reduce
stress, relax and feel better.
Interestingly, pets were identified as an important source of solace, and often, "the one who
really listens," and "the most important thing in my life." The study noted that successful coping
with extremely negative life events occurs when an individual perceives that he or she has
sufficient resources for coping. Such resources can be, of course, very straightforward and easy
to describe (e.g., food, medications, shelter), but they can also be emotional, and therefore more
difficult to quantify and describe. Pets appear to enhance successful coping by providing a
special kind of emotional support to people regardless of the severity of their illness.
HOW DOES AID-A-PET HELP?
AID-A-PET helps clients in two ways. First, it provides a resource of food and supplies to
people who would not be able to keep their pets without that resource. Clients can come to
MANA every week and pick up cat and dog food, cat litter, and whatever other supplies have
been donated throughout the month. AID-A-PET works very similarly like the MANA Food
Pantry, with the exception that clients are to call their orders into MANA before they come to
pick up that order.
MANA also provides a financial resource for veterinary care of people’s pets. This works
similarly to the Ryan White Client Assistance Program. Clients first must check with their Case
Managers to make sure that MANA has their up-to-date contact information, including their
medical release and HIV status. This lets MANA know that they are eligible to receive services.
Next the client contacts MANA so that they can fill out the MANA paperwork for AID-A-PET.
Once the paperwork is completed, a client can contact their Veterinarian to make an
appointment for their pet. The Veterinarian must be willing to bill the client for the amount of
the bill covered by MANA. The vet’s office can contact MANA directly for authorization.
MANA has paid out over $1,500 to Veterinarians since May of 2005. This is what is covered
through the AID-A-PET fund:
The Office Visit (up to 2 visits) - $25.00
Spaying/Neutering (for 2 pets only) - $150.00
Vaccination (each shot up to 2 visits) - $25.00
Surgery (once each for 2 pets only) - $200.00
Medication (each up to 2 visits) - $25.00
Clipping/Grooming (once) - $25.00
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate Food and Supplies – MANA is open Monday – Friday. When you go shopping, pick up
some extra dog or cat food, or litter. Drop it by MANA during the week. It is always greatly
appreciated. Donate Money – A gift to MANA for AID-A-PET will buy pet food and supplies,
and help a client pay a Veterinary Bill. Send your financial gifts to MANA/AID-A-PET, 64
Church Street, Manchester, CT 06040. Make the Check payable to MANA, with AID-A-PET
in the “For” line. Solicit Funds and or Supplies – Ask your Veterinarian to participate in AID-A-
PET by donating services and or supplies. And ask your pet supply dealer to donate coupons,
gift cards, supplies or cash. Volunteer – MANA depends on the generous help of people who
volunteer their time and efforts. We can always use volunteers to get orders together for clients
each week. Spread the word – Let people know that this service is available for people with HIV.
