Lightning Talk Description: There are over 580,000 individuals who were unhoused in 2022 and an estimated 10% of people who are unhoused have pets. These pets can provide safety and mental health benefits for their human companions, but they can also limit their owners’ access to transportation, shelters, housing, and medical facilities. The Street Dog Coalition is a team of veterinary and medical professionals and students who provide free medical care and related services to pets of people who are, or are at risk of becoming, unhoused. We are committed to protecting the human-animal bond and using a One Health approach to care for our community.
During this talk, we will discuss the benefits, challenges, and outcomes of providing care to this underserved population as a medical and veterinary team based on our experiences as part of the Fort Collins Street Dog Coalition medical team. We offer several healthcare related services including physical exams, point-of-care testing, minor wound and injury care, and Emotional Support Animal attestations. Measurable outcomes include the number of patients seen, the number of tests performed, and the number of Emotional Support Animal forms completed. We will also share case studies that highlight how we’re able to build trust with patients by helping care for their pets, bridge care for patients with higher acuity needs, and address bias against individuals who are unhoused.
This lightning talk will fulfill several of the priority criteria. We care for mental and physical health “on both ends of the leash” in collaboration with the veterinary team, social workers, public health students and community resources in Fort Collins, CO. Our mission is to provide services to a community of patients who are underserved and often lack equitable access to resources. Our team of presenters is comprised of three medical students. We will report several measurable outcomes, including number of patients seen, number of point-of-care tests performed, and number of Emotional Support Animal forms completed.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
