The HSUS and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family
Services (DHFS) have introduced
Creating Safer Communities
for Older Adults and Companion Animals, a new resource
manual for Wisconsin-based professionals who work in the fields
of animal protection, adult protective services, and elder
abuse prevention.
This cross-training tool was inspired by Jane Raymond,
Advocacy and Protection Systems Developer for the Wisconsin
DHFS, after she attended a First Strike® workshop held in
Chicago, Illinois in 2000 and learned about the importance of
cross-training between multiple agencies in addressing animal
cruelty and family violence. The HSUS was eager to partner with
the Wisconsin DHFS in developing the manual and hopes it will
serve as a model for other states that want to create similar
resources.
The manual's primary purpose is to expand knowledge of the
role of companion animals in patterns of elder abuse,
exploitation, and self-neglect. It's also intended to foster
collaboration among animal protection and adult protective
services agencies.
The idea behind its creation is that better communication
can lead to a commitment to sharing resources and expertise,
cross training, cross referrals, and cooperative efforts during
investigations of abuse and neglect.
The manual's content is comprehensive. It includes articles
that introduce the complexities of animal hoarding and animal
cruelty as an indicator of family violence, as well as legal
information and lists of county social services agencies and
local animal protection agencies in Wisconsin.
Animal care and control and adult protective services
professionals in other states may also find the manual useful
because it includes background information on animal cruelty
and neglect, elder abuse, and self-neglect. Both The HSUS and
the Wisconsin DHFS hope it will be adapted by others to reflect
their states' adult protective services, animal protection
systems, and laws.
The Southeastern Wisconsin Area Agency on Aging (SEWAAA) in
Brookfield, Wisconsin provided funding for the initial printing
of the manual.
Table of Contents
- Outline of Wisconsin's Elder Abuse/Neglect Response
System
- Outline of a Typical Wisconsin Animal Abuse Response
System
- Animal Abuse: Application of Relevant Statutes, Codes and
Ordinances
- Animal Hoarding and Self-Neglect
- Animal Cruelty as an Indicator of Family
Violence/Abuse
- Options for Abused Elders with Pets
- An Interdisciplinary Response: Elder Abuse and Animal
Protection Agencies Working with Others to Create Safer
Communities
- Positive Relationships for Elders and Pets
- Bibliography
- Resources
Manuals are $5.00 each, including shipping and handling. To
order Creating Safer Communities for Older Adults and
Companion Animals,
download the order form.
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