StreetVet: Helping Heroes and their Loyal Companions

We are really excited to share that Victory House has now become the first UK Veteran Hostel to be accredited under Streetvet. 

 

Since March 2022, two Arc properties, Lindley House and Norie House, have been part of the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme making Victory House our third. StreetVet is a fantastic charity that understands the importance of pet ownership, specifically within the homeless community. They provide direct support with pet care for rough sleepers through volunteer veterinary professionals but also realised that individuals experiencing homelessness with their pets had very few options for moving forward due to limited pet-friendly accommodation.

By helping hostels and housing services become pet-friendly, StreetVet has enabled more and more homeless individuals to access safe and suitable accommodation for them and their pets. Thanks to the scheme, our clients can access free veterinary care and advice throughout their Arc journey, as well as continued support once they have moved on into independent accommodation. They can also request items they may need, such as food, treats, leads and harnesses, or specialised equipment, and they can access emergency boarding should they need to go to hospital.

StreetVet provides staff training, assists with policies and procedures regarding pets, and produces posters and signage to help educate and inform clients about the pets they are sharing their accommodation with. This has enabled our PAWS Project to grow and flourish, improving the lives of our clients and their pets.

Since joining the scheme, each client with a pet has had the opportunity for a vet visit for a health check. We have also been able to support clients in getting their furry friends vaccinated and neutered thanks to the scheme.

This initiative highlights the undeniable bond between humans and animals, offering comfort, stability, and healing to those who have served their country. By providing a safe haven for both veterans and their pets, we are helping them rebuild their lives together.

Streetvet also visited Victory House to film a documentary with some of our clients highlighting the heartwarming and inspiring stories of resilience, companionship, and healing. These stories will touch your heart and showcase the profound impact of the human-animal bond and can be viewed here