The Home Hospice Association wins a spot at the 2015 Urban Animal Summit
July 31, 2015 Mississauga, ON: Home Hospice Association (HHA) announces today that its
signature program, The Bello Project, has won the Central Canada Adjudication
Competition for Innovation. This honour recognizes the unique program that
helps keep a pet and it’s owner together when a terminal illness strikes.
Tracey Robertson, Creator of the Bello Project, delivered the winning presentation at the Urban Animal Central Adjudication Event Guelph on June 11, along with HHA Co-Founders Glen Burkholder & Jeanne O’Kell, and representatives from Dogtopia of Canada.
In her presentation, Robertson focussed on the confusion
and grief pet owners feel when forced to surrender a beloved friend at a time
when unconditional love is most needed.
HHA’s Bello Project is unique in its approach to palliative care that
includes volunteers and local professional pet services that work together to
care for all aspects of a pet owner’s emotional needs when death is
imminent. This service is free for both
the dying pet parent and the new pet family.
“There has been a great deal of curiosity as to why a hospice
organization would conceive of a pet related service,” states
Joanne Arcari, VP of HHA’s Board of Directors.
“It makes sense”, she concludes.
Dogtopia of Canada has joined HHA in the launch of the
Bello Project in Mississauga. “We’re
delighted about this arrangement with Home Hospice Association,” says Anita
Samadian, Regional Developer Eastern Canada for Dogtopia. “Pets are often
more in tune with their owners’ physical ailments than people themselves, and
the experience of their owners dying can be extremely confusing for them
as well as distressing. The ability to meld our services in a mutually
beneficial program tailored to the needs of the dying patient, pet and
re-homing family, offers a best-case scenario in a difficult situation. At
Dogtopia, we can provide daycare during the process for caregivers and the
canine clients of The Bello Project. The dogs engage in socialization
activities that keep their exercise level healthy and minimize their stress
level. This provides flexibility for
necessary medical appointments.
As many as 84% of Canadians have no
access to hospice palliative care. Currently, those with no designated
caregiver for their pet must surrender them prematurely, or have them
euthanized. The Bello Project will
successfully prevent this heartbreaking situation.
For More
Information on Home Hospice Association and The Bello Project
Contact: Tracey Robertson
Co-Founder
Home Hospice Association
Creator
The Bello Project
Bello’s
Mom
905-902-2428
For More
Information on Dogtopia of Canada
Contact: Anita Samadian
Regional
Developer Dogtopia Canada
National
Sustainability Partner The Bello Project
Winston’s
Mom
(905) 949-8091
For More
Information on PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council)
Contact: Susan Dankert
Communications
Coordinator
1-800-667-7452
ext 115
For More
Information on Urban Animal Summit
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