Chair of the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

Serves on organising committee and practitioner committee for Tenth IAHAIO International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions,
People and Animals: A Timeless Relationship
to take place in Glasgow, 6th- 9th October 2004

Serves on Companion Animal Welfare Council/ SCAS collaboration on Companion animals in health and social care institutions

Vice Chair of SCAS 1998-2002

Elected Executive Committee Member of SCAS in 1986

Churchill Fellow - was awarded this travel fellowship to study human animal bond in USA in 1988

Co- Founder Canine Partners, UK assistance dog programme

Founder member Pathway, UK pets in housing coalition

Advisor to Scottish Prisons on Pet Therapy 1991 - 95

Gives presentations on many aspects of the human animal bond. Also contributor to radio, TV and written articles on human animal relationships.

Initial Experiences of the Human Animal Bond
Knowledge gained working in an Inner City Clinic
Elizabeth Ormerod is a Scottish Veterinary Surgeon, qualifying from the University of Glasgow in 1975. Was appointed Small Animal House Physician at Glasgow University, a post she held till 1978. During this period she was appointed veterinary manager of the Cargill Clinic - the University Inner City Veterinary Clinic, providing veterinary treatment for people who could not afford private treatment. It was in this setting that she became aware of and attuned to the power of the human animal bond, becoming appreciative of diverse ways in which companion animals could provide people with social support. She observed that the human animal bond could act as a buffer against major life difficulties and transitions. She also learned that much could be learned about a family and its health by examining the way the pet was cared for. And that by teaching animal care in a comparative fashion, clients could learn important aspects relating to preventive health for their pets, their children and themselves. Clients were eager for information on pet care, and very interested to learn of comparisons with human health. Through this method she found that human preventive medicine could be taught in a non-threatening, absorbing and memorable way. However, she realised that it would be much more effective to teach groups of people; lessons on animal care should be introduced to schoolchildren, and the most deprived areas targeted.

Working with the Human Animal Bond in a Small Town
Experiences in Private Veterinary Practice from 1984 to Present
1984 she and her husband, a veterinary pathologist, purchased a veterinary practice in a small fishing town in Lancashire, with the intention of exploring the full potential of the human animal bond. Elizabeth was keen to test various hypotheses and to develop initiatives relating to the human animal bond in a small town setting. It was felt that this town of 30,000 people could be ideal for this purpose and would provide many opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange. The town had two hospitals for older people - one for convalescence, the other for people with mental health problems, mainly senile dementia. It also had a residential centre for people with physical disabilities; and a residential centre and a day centre for people with mental handicap. It is a seaside town and therefore had a large number of retirement and nursing homes for older people. There were three senior schools and ten primary schools.

It was decided to explore the following areas:

-The role of animals in institutions

- The role of animals in education

- The role of the veterinary surgeon in community health, education and social care

- Advisory role with local government - advising on animals and housing issues; animal welfare; wildlife; local environment and ecosysytems

- The potential of the bond to provide social support
She was keen to share information on the human animal bond with members of the other caring professions. For example, the other professions would benefit from knowledge of the cycle of abuse and the link between animal neglect and cruelty and child abuse; those in health care should know of the role of animals in therapy; teachers of the role of animals in education.

Throughout the last 19 years the role of the human animal bond and of the veterinary surgeon to support a community has been explored and examined on a daily basis.

Community Outreach
Community outreach work involved firstly developing a network of contacts with colleagues in the other health and social care professions. These colleagues have access to her resource library on the human animal bond, and receive advice and assistance should they wish to develop a programme.
The resulting interdisciplinary networking has been found to benefit clients, animals and the veterinary practice. The majority of individuals approached welcomed information about the human animal bond, humane education, animal assisted therapy, the link between child abuse, animal abuse, etc. An unexpected benefit has been that these colleagues provide her with an invaluable social support network.

Animals in education
Elizabeth provides lessons to local primary and secondary schools. Children of all ages are very eager to learn about animals, their care and welfare. Much important information can be imparted to children using animals as a metaphor. It is a very effective means to deliver preventive health care advice. Children can also be taught how to be safe around animals, how to behave to avoid bites and scratches. To be most effective, Elizabeth advises that animal-related education should be delivered as Humane Education - a values education that seeks to impress upon children the need for humans to respect animals, plants, other people and our shared environment - through the development of empathy and understanding.

Animals in Institutions
Most institutions in Fleetwood already had resident animals and some also had visiting animals. However, there was concern to find that none of the animals had been selected according to any criteria. Some of the institutions were receiving visits from unsuitable, unaccredited dogs. Few institutions had written guidelines for the management of programmes; or induction of staff about AAA/AAT

Elizabeth has introduced AAA/AAT to a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, residential care settings, sheltered housing and prisons. The introduction and continuation of programmes is dependent on the attitude of the manager and interest and support of key personnel. In the hospital setting it also depends on the attitude of the infection control officer. As management tends to change every few years, programmes can be lost to the detriment of the residents and staff.

The need for guidelines for animal selection and care; and for staff and volunteer training became evident.

Pets in Housing
Rules on pet keeping in local sheltered housing for older people vary considerably.
One local independent housing association that previously had a total ban on pets has enacted a very positive pet policy. The manager became aware that one resident was keeping a cat, against housing rules. He issued a directive to all of the residents, advising them to get rid of their pets within 28 days or be evicted. There were 6 pet owners in this complex and the directive caused a great deal of stress evidenced by physical symptoms. A model pet keeping policy was agreed by the residents and was presented to the board of management together with information on the health and social benefits for older people arising from animal contact. The board immediately revoked its existing policy and accepted the proposed policy. This housing complex now has the best pet policy in town.

Some associations operate a ban on pets - but do not always make this clear to prospective tenants. On an individual case by case basis these rules can be reversed, with a great deal of effort. Each case typically takes one month to resolve. Cases can only be fought if the older person is prepared to defy the ban. Many older people are too frightened to have the rules challenged - they think they will be punished.

Throughout the UK there is a lack of consistency in pet keeping policies. These are administered arbitrarily. Many managers turn a blind eye - and there can then be major problems when a new manager takes over, and decides to enforce the written policy.

There is an obvious need for positive pet housing policies in the UK. There is also a pressing need for social housing to be designed to facilitate the keeping of pets and the raising of plants. Too many of our older and disabled citizens are denied nurturing opportunities.

AAT and Offenders
In the mid 80’s Elizabeth was invited by Mary Whyham, Senior Probation officer for Fleetwood, to teach humane education to a group of disaffected, at-risk youth. The young men responded well to the subject, and later participated in a successful wildlife campaign. Elizabeth Ormerod and Mary Whyham have continued to work collaboratively and find that the combination of their veterinary and social work skills has a synergistic effect. Mary Whyham is a past Chair of SCAS and is now the Assistant Chief Probation Officer for Lancashire. Their first collaborative project was the development of an AAT programme in a high security prison. Many benefits were evident - to prisoners, their families, to staff and the animals themselves were evident.

Later collaborative studies have examined the role of animals in institutions, and in offender rehabilitation in the UK and overseas. There are no official guidelines relating to the presence of animals in British institutions, including prisons, and this limits the potential of AAT, especially in relation to programmes involving resident animals. Within prisons, the existence of a programme depends on the goodwill and support of the prison governor. Due the frequent transfer of staff throughout prisons, and lack of policy and guidelines, there is a tendency for programmes to be transient. This can be counterproductive in offender rehabilitation.

During a study period in the Scottish Prison System, Elizabeth was appointed Adviser on AAT to the Special Unit at Shotts Prison. This was a maximum secure unit where she worked for several years with a group of difficult, volatile men who could not be contained in mainstream prisons. Interaction with animals resulted in many obvious benefits for everyone in the Special Unit, including prisoners who chose not to have an individual pet.

Bond Centred Practice
The veterinary practice is bond-centred, addressing the needs of animals and their owners. For example, through provision of pet selection advice, puppy development clinics, behaviour counselling, advice on pets during family transitions and pet bereavement support. The practice is a community resource. There is an open policy for people wishing to undertake work experience. The practice hosts children from local schools who wish to learn more about work with animals. Adults from the other caring professions also have opportunities to observe the work of the practice to gain a better understanding of the human animal bond. Bereavement counsellors have been attached to the practice for a number of years. A resource library is maintained on the human animal bond with access to health and social care professionals and journalists.

The Practice as Sanctuary
The practice ethos is that the surgery should be a “safe” place for both people and animals. Unwanted pets and stray animals are cared for until they are rehabilitated and ready for adoption. People are taught about the importance of the human animal bond; that animals are important to individuals and society; that their lives matter; that animals are not disposable. This approach has raised the status of animals in our community. Last year the surgery cared for, rehabilitated and adopted 92 cats, 10 dogs, 14 rats, 8 rabbits, 3 ducks, 1 ferret, 1 chinchilla. Over 150 wild animals and birds were also cared for.

It has been found that the sanctuary approach raises the status of animals in the community. It is also thought that by raising the status of animals, the self worth of people in the community is also raised. Maintaining the sanctuary and operating a no kill policy for healthy animals, reduces stress on the veterinary team. Another benefit has been that as a result of the practice commitment to both animals and people, (as evidenced by the sanctuary, community outreach programmes, networking with other health and social care professions), the local community has developed a high regard for and places great trust in our veterinary team. Owner compliance is very high.

Clients sometimes discuss personal problems. Whenever appropriate they are referred to relevant agencies.

Overseas Study
In 1988, with the award of a Churchill Fellowship, came the opportunity to travel throughout the USA visiting centres of excellence in the study and practice of the human-animal bond, animal assisted therapy and Humane Education.

Centres and key specialists visited included:

Green Chimneys School Farm, a residential centre for children with emotional difficulties. Dr Sam and Myra Ross
American Humane Association, Denver Michael Kauffman, Dennis White, Carol Moulton
Human-Animal Programme at University of California, Davis
San Francisco SPCA Lynette and Ben Harte, Bonnie Mader
San Francisco James Harris DVM, human animal bond veterinarian
Latham Foundation for Humane Education, San Francisco Steve Nagy
Censhare at University of Minnesota. RK Anderson, Joseph Quigley, Ruth Foster
Delta Society, Seattle Linda Hines, Maureen Fredrikson
Denver Humane Society
Hennepin County Humane Society
Seattle Kings County Humane Clover Gowring
The Animal Medical Centre, New York Susan Cohen MSW, Head of Social Work
Lorton Prison with Dr Earl Strimple DVM, founder of People, Animals, Love, based in Washington DC.
Purdy Prison Programme, Tacoma, Washington State Dawn Jecs, Marsha Henkel
HSUS - Humane Society of United States HQ in Washington DC
NAAHE - National Association for the Advancement of Humane Education, Connecticut
Phil Arkow - then director of education at Pikes Peak Humane, and attendance at his post grad humane education course for teachers
Humane Society of Washington DC.

The knowledge gained during this period of study continues to inform her daily practise. Subsequent visits have been made to the USA, with programme visits whenever possible.

Assistance Dogs
Meeting recipients with assistance dogs at the IAHAIO International Conference in Boston in 1986 led to a collaboration with Anne Conway, a renowned British dog trainer and founder member of the UK charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Anne and Elizabeth conducted research into assistance dog programmes in UK and Holland before founding the UK assistance dog programme Canine Partners. Elizabeth remained a Board member until 2002.

Attendance at conferences has greatly enhanced her understanding of the human animal bond, and led to the development of international networks. SCAS generally holds several conferences every year. She has been fortunate to attend international human animal bond conferences including IAHAIO International Conferences on Human Animal Interactions in Boston, Geneva, Montreal, Prague, Rio; Delta Society Conferences and American Humane Association conference in the USA; conferences in Europe - organised by the Purina Foundation in Spain; University of Utrecht in Holland and San Patrignano in Italy.

Recent visits to overseas animal assisted therapy programmes include Project Pooch in the USA and San Patrignano in Italy. Both of these programmes involve the rehabilitation of young people through a process in which they train and rehabilitate dogs; the dogs are then able make a positive contribution to society either through being involved in AAT visits to people living in other institutions, or as companions to families living in the community. The analogy of their own situation and that of the dog is apparent to the young people. “If a dog can change, so can I.”

Project Pooch is a prison programme for young offenders in Portland, Oregon where a 0% recidivism rate has been recorded for young men who completed a dog training programme prior to release. 89 young men have been released from the programme, the first was released in 1993. The anticipated rate of recidivism for this group of men is 29% per annum.

At San Patrignano, near Trento in the Dolomites, there is a revolutionary programme for the treatment of drug addicts. The addicts volunteer to enter the 4 year long programme where they are cared for by recovered drug addicts. The ethos of the community is that “Life heals Life.” Animals and plants are central to the recovery process. Young people told me that interaction with animals helps to keep them calm when they are going through drug withdrawal symptoms. Some of the young people train rescue dogs to a high standard and then undertake AAT visits to older people living in nursing homes. Horses and farm animals are also involved at San Patrignano centres based near Rimini.

Pets in Housing
Elizabeth is a founder member of Pathway, the British pets in housing alliance. Pathway seeks to inform local authorities, landlords and tenants about pets and housing issues. Pathway has published guidelines for landlords and tenants. The work of this organisation is ongoing. Whilst laws have been enacted in some other to protect the rights of people to keep pets, there has been no such legislation enacted in the UK.

Society for Companion Animal Studies
The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) was formed in 1979 by a group of doctors, social workers and veterinarians from Britain and the USA to promote interest in human-companion animal relationships. Since its inception SCAS has progressed the study and awareness of the human animal bond considerably, providing an information source and publishing literature on recent findings. SCAS currently has over 400 members drawn from all of the health and social care professions.

SCAS has a number of current projects. These include:

- Conference Children, Animals and Citizenship in October 2003
- Conference on Animals in the Forces, Spring 2004
- Tenth IAHAIO Conference on Human Animal Interactions:
People and Animals: A Timeless Relationship, October 2004
- Various research projects concerning older people and companion animals
- Publication for parents and teachers about children and companion animals.
- In collaboration with the Companion Animal Welfare Council, is examining the welfare of animals involved in education and therapy programmes within health and social care institutions.

Elizabeth was elected to the SCAS Executive Committee in 1986. Elected as Vice Chair in 1998. And was appointed to the post of Chair in January 2002