Animal Companionship Charity Our Special Friends Appoints Patron And New Trustees To Boost Growth Plans

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Posted
22nd October, 2024 12h02

High-profile vet, broadcaster and animal welfare advocate Dr Marc Abraham OBE has been appointed Patron of the innovative Suffolk-based animal companionship charity, Our Special Friends (OSF). In this role, he will raise awareness of the charity’s vital work in delivering Animal Companionship Support Services (ACSS) to vulnerable individuals across West Suffolk while supporting the adoption of the successful model it has created in other regions of the UK.

Rebecca Stephens, Senior Lecturer in Social Work and a pioneer of ‘Veterinary Social Work’ – which combines principles of social work, mental health and animal care to support individuals and families - and Dr Rebekah Sullivan MRCVS, a practicing vet with a Master’s in One Health have also joined the charity as Trustees.

Founded ten years ago by vet Dr Belinda (Bin) Johnston MRCVS, OSF provides a range of ACSS to help individuals maintain the life-enhancing benefits of animal companionship, even when faced with challenging personal circumstances. Its services include:

•  ‘Foster to reunite’ care for pets in times of crisis
• Advocacy on issues involving the human-animal bond, for instance the importance of keeping owners and pets together in all housing, especially temporary and emergency accommodation
• Dog walking or accompanied dog walking for individuals with limited mobility 
• Visits from friendly dogs for those unable to care for a pet of their own.

OSF’s services are delivered by Animal Companionship Practitioners and Animal Companionship Coordinators, working in collaboration with volunteers and community-based professionals, such as social workers, GPs, veterinary practices and domestic abuse charities to maintain relationships between pets and their owners for as long as possible. Each year, the charity supports more than 600 individuals.

In response to increasing demand, OSF is committed to further developing and evidencing its services in Suffolk, while working to encourage other national and regional organisations to adopt its ACSS model. This push forms part of a broader effort to improve access to animal companionship support across the UK.

Dr Marc Abraham MRCVS said: “I’m proud to become a patron of OSF, a fantastic and dedicated organisation that I've admired for years. The human-animal bond offers many health benefits; from improving heart health to alleviating depression and loneliness. It can also increase wellbeing and support child health and development - especially for those with special educational needs and disabilities.  It can even contribute to a healthy aging process. I’m looking forward to working with OSF to promote the power and value of the human-animal bond. "

Dr Bin Johnston said: "OSF’s goal is to ensure that individuals experiencing vulnerability can continue to receive the evidence-based comfort and joy of animal companionship, even in difficult circumstances. As the UK's only charity dedicated to developing and providing a holistic range of ACSS, we’re eager to share our experiences and help other organisations across the UK to adopt the innovative community support roles we've pioneered, alongside campaigning for a pet-inclusive society.  

“Marc has a deep commitment to animal welfare and a passion for the human-companion animal bond. His knowledge, experience and wide range of contacts will be invaluable in helping us to deliver on our ambitious plans.”

She added: “We’re also thrilled to welcome Rebecca and Rebekah to our board of trustees. Their skills, expertise and enthusiasm are a perfect fit for OSF and we look forward to working with them to enhance the lives of people and animals at risk through the power of animal companionship support services in the months ahead.”

OSF is based in Newmarket, Suffolk.  For further information about its work, contact Dr Bin Johnston on 01284 335351 or email [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

OSF has pioneered the development of two specific roles to support the delivery of its services:

• Animal Companionship Practitioner (ACP) – Individuals in this role are veterinary-qualified. Their role includes taking referrals, liaising with clients and coordinating OSF’s ACSS
• Animal Companionship Coordinator (ACC) – Individuals in this role work alongside ACPs and the charity’s Volunteer Support Manager to deliver OSF’s services. 

For further information or interviews, contact:

Rebecca George, George PR

[email protected]

+44 7974 161108

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