With funding from the UW Population Health Initiative, COHR is leading a community-based research project to better understand the health and legal needs of young people experiencing homelessness with pets in Seattle.
This project is using mixed-methods research to explore these complex issues, including one-on-one semi-structured interviews, photo and voice documentary (with youth taking pictures of their own experience of homelessness and their animals) and community mapping of resources available to these young people.
One of the goals of the project is to better assess the need for health services in both people and their animals.
This work has already led to the creation of an integrated One Health Clinic providing medical care to people who are homeless as well as their animals.
COHR launched the clinic alongside key partners that include Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Neighborcare Health, New Horizons Ministries and the University District Street Medicine student group.