Keeping Pets and Their People Together

By Carol Brzozowski | December 2021

John Sypien, a 62-year-old Sarasota resident, is on permanent disability. His dog Bacardi, a pit bull, serves as a support dog and a companion. “I wouldn’t be able to survive without my dog,” says Sypien. But Sypien is unable to travel to get Bacardi food and medical care.

Fortunately, a partnership of caring organizations in Sarasota County is assisting Sypien and others who lack the mobility or funds to feed and care for their animal companions. Such programs are a win-win-win for the community. Beloved pets get to stay with their humans, everyone enjoys greater nutrition and well-being, and area shelters are less likely to become a revolving door, enabling these organizations to serve more animals and families.

Helping Animals Helps Humans

The PetLOVE Program from Meals on Wheels (MOW) of Sarasota, for example, makes it possible for individuals such as Sypien to provide their pets with a healthy diet. Dry dog food, cat food, and cat litter are delivered the third week of each month. The program assists nearly 150 dogs and cats monthly. 

“Many MOW Sarasota clients are pet owners who would otherwise sacrifice their own nutrition by sharing portions of their meal with their hungry pets,” says Marjorie Broughton, MOW of Sarasota executive director. “This partnership allows us to share vital resources in order to meet our mission’s needs: caring for people who have pets and need a little extra help providing for them.”

MOW of Sarasota partners with the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), which provides veterinary care and vaccinations in its clinic. HSSC also runs its own Pet Pantry program.

“The Humane Society of Sarasota County offers a variety of services through our Pet Resource Hub that are intended to keep beloved family pets in their home with the people who love them,” says HSSC executive director Anna Gonce. 

“Surrendering a pet to an animal shelter like HSSC is a painful decision for people. We want to be a last resort,” she says. “We do not want the cost of food to be the determining factor, especially when our community is so generous and giving. Through our Pet Pantry Program, we feed nearly 300 cats and dogs monthly and are continually growing the program to serve even more families and their four-legged friends.”

HSSC’s Pet Pantry provides free pet food for Sarasota County residents needing temporary assistance feeding their pets during difficult times. An average of 100 pounds of pet food is distributed weekly 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays outside the HSSC Adoption Center at the Pet Resource Hub.

Recipients—who must show a current photo ID and proof of Sarasota County residence and government assistance—are limited to one five-pound bag or seven cans of food weekly. Proof of spay/neuter for the recipient’s animal is required. HSSC provides needed information on low-cost spay/neuter programs. 

Fighting Isolation

“Knowing that isolated seniors with pets are 36 percent less likely to report loneliness and have 21 percent fewer doctor visits, Meals on Wheels of Sarasota is a strong supporter of programs like PetLOVE,” notes Broughton. “Adding the element of pet care—including exam, vaccination and dental care as well as pet spaying and neutering—was a natural progression to simply feeding the cats and dogs.”

Broughton says it’s undisputable that animals have always had a positive impact on their owners’ lives.

“Current studies suggest that four-legged friends are a true health benefit for both the elderly and the disabled, helping them live longer, healthier and happier lives,” she says. “Pets encourage more active, more energetic lifestyles, helping seniors and those who are disabled establish more active routines and encouraging them to do things they might not normally do such as getting outside, feeding, grooming, or playing with their pet.”

Studies show pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-pet owners, helping to reduce heart disease risk and the frequency of doctor visits, Broughton notes. 

Other studies suggest pet owners have a better chance for long-term survival after a coronary event than non-pet owners, says Broughton, noting that a Journal of the American Geriatrics Society article suggests that caring for a cat or dog helps people overcome depression or loneliness,.

“Animal-assisted therapy has shown to help patients decrease anxiety levels. Overall, pets have a positive effect on their companions who benefit health-wise from their very presence,” she says. “Whether facing loss of a loved one, isolation, lack of interaction with others, or inability to get out, disabled citizens or elderly clients with pets have someone else to care for and other things than themselves to think about.”   

The mere presence of a pet provides camaraderie plus unconditional love and affection to those who are otherwise isolated, Broughton says, adding 25 percent of Americans over age 65 are considered “senior orphans.” Pets also bring an increased sense of safety.

Partners in Caring

The Pet Pantry Program at HSSC is financed through contributions from local community and business partners. Donations of unopened dry or wet dog and cat food can be dropped off at HSSC’s Pet Resource Hub 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays.

The local PetLOVE program is underwritten by grants from Meals on Wheels America and locally through The Mary Scharf Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and other anonymous foundations. MOW accepts donations of cash to purchase pet food, collars, leashes, crates, or funds to underwrite the cost of veterinary care. Southwest Florida Veterinary Services also donates services and supplies to the program. 

For area residents like Sypien, the program enables him to care for his dog who in turn cares for Sypien each day.  “The program is wonderful,” he says. “It’s a real blessing.”  

Learn more at mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org/mowpetlove.html and hssc.org/pet-resource-hub/pet-food-assistance