Houston Humane Society Joins Forces with HOT Team to Vet Homeless Companion Dogs
Story& Photos by Patricia Hudson
T
he Houston Humane Society and the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homeless Outreach Team, (HOT), deputies collaborated recently to provide veterinarian services to the canine companions of the homeless in Cy-Fair. Merry Thomas, Cy-Fair Helping Hands’ Homeless Outreach Specialist, transported dogs and their owners to Cy-Fair Helping Hands, a ministry that serves the homeless in Cy-Fair. Deputy Timothy Craze coordinated the event. “Many of our homeless clients have pets who serve as their companions and often as their only family,” says CFHH Founder, and Director of Homeless Initiatives, Jean Dreyer. “Establishing a relationship with the Humane Society for veterinary care is such a blessing!” “Our mission is to ensure all pets in the community are happy and healthy, including pets of the homeless. There are many benefits to having a pet as a companion. Pets reduce stress, lower blood pressure and provide unconditional love and companionship. We are happy to help the pets that wouldn't normally get medical care and their owners who normally do not get much attention in our community,” comments Gary Poon, Executive Director, Houston Humane Society. Thomas, who was once homeless, recalls, “My dog spent every minute of the day with me! She ran, jumped and played in the tall pasture grasses from 290 at Fairbanks to West Little York. She swam in the creeks and bayous of Cypress. She guarded me at night so that I could rest without fear. She loved every minute of her ‘homeless’ life. When a homeless person has a pet, they have
12 November | December 2021
