One welfare a framework to improve animal welfare and human well-being

34 Section 2

Continued

Case Study 7 – Our Special Friends (by Belinda Johnston, Our Special Friends,

England)

Our Special Friends (OSF) – ‘helping people and animals help each other’ – is a

veterinary-led charity based in Suffolk, UK. Its work is focused on the local com-

munity to help isolated and vulnerable people, of any age, to continue to benefit

from the companionship of animals through financial need, physical disability or

ill health, enhancing well-being through practical and emotional support ser-

vices and animal-assisted activities.

Its free support is provided by local volunteers, and by working in collaboration

with human health and social care organizations, as well as with veterinarians

(a)

anxiety, decreased loneliness, improved morale or increased social inter-

action (pets as catalysts) (Johnson, 2009).

These animals will generally have a role at the local community support

level, and support efforts to help address physical, psychological and social

support (Scanlon, 2016).

Social care, mental health and public health services will care for the

human well-being aspects and it is increasingly recognized that animals are

important as part of this. Enabling frameworks that link these professionals

with animal welfare experts can help in their task of taking a more compre-

hensive approach.