PAWS program helps disabled, seriously ill individuals care for pets

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - 12/06/2006 - Many people who suffer from debilitating illnesses such as cancer and AIDS struggle emotionally, physically and financially to care for themselves, so properly looking after their four-legged family members can quickly become more effort than they can shoulder alone. Enter the Pets Are Wonderful Support group, or PAWS , at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

PAWS works with representatives of community organizations that serve individuals with special health needs to identify potential clients. Participants must certify that they have a terminal or debilitating illness, and that they meet low-income criteria.

“The program was patterned after one in California that was set up specifically to help AIDS patients at a time when they were considered pariahs and often had no one for emotional support, except their pets,” says Jack Gaskin, D.V.M., who along with Amy Stone, D.V.M., serves as PAWS' clinical instructor and adviser. Natalie Isaza, D.V.M., is the group's surgery supervisor. Gaskin credited the program's founder, UF veterinary college professor emeritusTom Lane, D.V.M. with the program's success. Lane, who also helped to create the college's 24-hour pet loss support hotline, retired in 2000.

To participate in surgery clinics, students must have completed either the shelter medicine or surgical rotations, whereas for general clinics- to serve as doctors under faculty supervision-students must be juniors or seniors and have taken either general medicine or small animal medicine. Freshman and sophomore students serve as technicians.