The Australian Directory of Human Animal Interaction Programs

Companion Animals Services, Age Concern Albury Wodonga Inc.

THE COMPANION ANIMAL SERVICES was launched in November1987 as the Companion Animal Program, and is administered by Age Concern, Albury Wodonga inc.  The present name was adopted in 1991 to cover the many services the program provides to the community,  and the motto “Caring Through Sharing” was later joined on our logo designed by one of the volunteers in 1999.

One of the objects of CAS was the promotion of visiting pets for people with a disability, or resident in nursing homes, hostels & hospitals.  Our volunteers also visit special schools, Camp Quality [for children with cancer], hostels for the handicapped—in fact anywhere we are wanted. 

Another aspect is the sourcing of dogs & cats to become residents in various institutions and group homes.  The dogs obtained were PAT dogs from the Royal Blind Society, and a committee, consisting of a Vet, 4 cat breeders and the Co-ordinator, was set up to oversee the cat program. The first resident cats were placed just prior to Christmas 1988, with a total of  21 others in the next few years.  Most of these cats were especially bred and trained for the program, all were donated  free of cost to the institution or individual .  Local vets provided services at cost or free also for the resident pets.

Emergency short term care, dog walking, and grooming are also available to our clients.

All volunteers pets are required to have a veterinary check for health and temperament prior to joining the progra, and this is done free by all veterinarians in our area. At present wa have a variety of pets including dogs, cats, ducks, chooks and rabbits which mostly visit on a weekly basis; and all are very well received. Institutions or individuals can apply for a CAS cat or PAT dog at any time.

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