Local Program Adds Support for Pets in Elder Homes

by Susan Weikel --  Ever needed a little bit of support with taking care of your beloved pet? The Fallon Office of Meals on Wheels of America knew that some of their clients sometimes struggled over such issues. With that in mind, Lisa Erquiaga, Executive Director of William N. Pennington Life Center, applied for a competitive grant that would offer some financial support for the care of the pets living in the homes of those in the Meals on Wheels program. The Meals on Wheels Loves Pets grant was awarded $2,500. These funds are used to support those who have pets, cats or dogs, with the care of their furry companions. Support may be given in the way of food for the pet, help with the expenses of neutering/spaying, vaccinations, and even help with boarding if needed. Currently the program is assisting about 40 members with some of the issues involved with caring for their pets. Initially 8 members of the Meals on Wheels program signed up for the assistance offered for neutering or spaying. Assistance was also given to an elderly gentleman whose cat was at the end of its life. The program helped with the expenses involved with putting the cat to sleep and a cremation. Scheduled for future services are one vaccination and 2 spays. There has been great support from a number of different sources around the Fallon area. Most of the food given out to the participants for their pets has been donated by various members of the community. Lisa contacted Chewy and the company sent a couple dog beds and some toys for pets. Lisa explained, “Chewy let us know that they usually don’t do this, but for the reasons that we were telling them that we needed this stuff, Chewy said, ‘We love it!’” Local support has also come from Western Nevada Veterinary Services and the City of Fallon. The clinic offers a 20% discount to clients from this program, and the city’s Animal Control Department gives participants a voucher for $25.00 towards spay/neuter surgeries. The Meals on Wheels Loves Pets pays for the pain medication that is sent home with the clients after their pet’s surgery. “People have the option to pay for pain medication, ranging from $7-$11. A lot of people say no. Which to me, oh my gosh, if the animal is going to go home and get that at home. So, we said that we would just pay for that because we want the animal to go home and be out of pain.” Once the program has given the needed support to those in Meals for Wheels, about 88 people reported that they had pets, then this support will be opened up to those in the Homemaker Program, involving about 80 people. Lisa will be applying for this grant again and hopes to apply for even more grants this year. It would be a welcome addition to increase the number of people who can receive support.       Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon. Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page.