As of this past January, Platte Pet Power has been serving local communities for 20 years with a mission of enhancing communications and relationships between generations and with those in facilities or in group settings with the help of animal companions. The group’s slogan is “Nurturing Paws-Abilities.”
Since COVID-19 began limiting personal contact back in February, founder Sharen Hunt, has continued to find ways to engage community members via Zoom events and activities.
“The unconditional acceptance by animals is excellent therapy for people with physical, emotional, social and mental challenges, as well as those in crisis situations,” Hunt said.
Although Platte Pet Power has not really observed or celebrated the anniversary of their founding in the past, as with the majority of local service groups, 2020 has been a challenging year.
In a normal year the group of volunteers arranges visits at more than 15 sites in the Northland, which include nursing homes, facilities for developmentally delayed adults, teen and domestic violence shelters, assisted-living facilities and hospice care.
Volunteers are provided with a listing of sites that have signed Platte Pet Power agreements/waivers with University of Missouri Extension, Platte County. Volunteers can also recruit sites of their choice and sites may contact volunteers.
“What the program hoped to have was volunteer friendly sites and site ease, differing in that volunteers are on their own to arrange visits at the sites of their choosing, but we always encouraged sites to also call to invite us,” Hunt said.
The group’s initial planning was carried out by a veterinarian, a social director of the group site, an MU Extension Council volunteer and Hunt, who at the time was 4-H youth specialist/county program director.
“This volunteer-driven approach has involved many adults in volunteering within their community, which also was a goal of ours,” Hunt said.
About 30 volunteers devote their time to Platte Pet Power.
“Since last February, all of us have been very limited and not all volunteers or sites have Zoom capacity to join in the virtual visits,” Hunt said.
There are strict rules for Platte Pet Power animals. First, they must meet all health and immunization requirements and health papers must be submitted before certification. They must also undergo temperament testing for both new and returning pets. They must have appropriate and affectionate personalities and appearance. They have to be accepting of noises, new people, smells and setting and medical equipment and be under the full control of volunteers. The animals are tested on their ability to be around wheelchairs, walkers and rough handling.
“Temperament tests also include what we call the group hug, which simulates several people grabbing, petting or patting the dog at the same time,” Hunt said.
Not all volunteers turned in site visits, but in past years they reported about 2,000 contacts.
Sites are asked to sign annual agreements and they include nursing homes, Synergy House teen shelter, Noyes Home for Children, Platte Board of Services and Platte Senior Services.
Visits can be initiated by the sites or volunteers to arrange to visit at their convenience.
Schools are not on the list, unless requested by volunteers. Schools must agree to sign agreement/waivers.
Since many of the sites don’t have technical capabilities for large group video and audio that has limited Platte Pet Power’s ability to do virtual visits with everyone on their cooperating list. Three to five volunteers and pets are featured in the virtual visits to allow time for questions and conversations.
“Visits with animals are good for any age in a setting where restricted movements and sharing are in place, but the children are more interested in asking questions about the animals,” Hunt said. “If I see you have a cat that does not mind some ‘costuming’ maybe you would want to share also. Thanksgiving or Christmas attire would be fun for kids to see and you could share the experience first-hand.”
Platte Pet Power had a virtual visit with children and staff at Noyes Home for Children Nov. 20 and plans another visit from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 18.
Current and former volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the next virtual visit at extension.missouri.ed/platte and click on Platte Pet Power for more details.
Hunt said due to virtual visits during the pandemic, updated pet immunizations and temperament testing are not germane to links from homes.
For more information contact, hunts@missouri.edu.