Pets Are like Family

When Alicia Obando volunteered at local animal shelters in Chicago, she was overcome by how many people were forced to give up their pets because they simply could not afford to keep them. And as a certified child therapist, she was accustomed to working with families in need and knew the various benefits that having a pet had on mental health. It did not take long for her to realize what she needed to do, and with that, Pets Are Like Family was born.

The program helps families to keep their pets even when circumstances change.

Obando's cause is a worthy one, as research shows that pets help lower blood pressure, lessen anxiety, and boost immunity. According to Blair Justice, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine. "People take drugs ... to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to get your dog," Justice asserted.

The group's mission reads, "Helping Chicago pet parents have a loving, responsible relationship with their pets by providing education, resources, counseling and referral services; to keep pets with their families and avoid pet relinquishment."

"I just saw people relinquish their pets for reasons that were fixable and saw how sad they were when they had to relinquish their pets," Obando explained. "Just seeing how sad that was and how little education they had about proper care and services is kind of how it happened."

Obando founded the nonprofit organization two years ago and runs it virtually solo. She is always looking for volunteers, and is hopeful that by obtaining media coverage, locals will become more aware of her program and reach out to offer their assistance.

The purpose of the program is to help struggling pet owners who may otherwise be forced to give up their pets. With help from generous donations, Obando is able to help pet owners obtain food or medical treatment for their pets. Likewise, she takes calls through the Pets Are Like Family hotline and brings food, bowls, carriers, and any other necessities that pet owners may need.

Obando works closely with a local low-cost spay/neuter clinic, Tree House Humane Society, where animals can receive vaccinations or be spayed and neutered. Obando asks her clients to chip in $10 for male dogs and cats or $20 for females and pays the rest of the costs with donations.

Obando explained that some pet owners have been resistant to spaying/neutering. As a result, she has launched Pet Care 101 workshops, where pet owners receive free training on pet care and learn about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. Attendees also learn about proper pet nutrition and how to train their pets.

Obando's services for her clients vary. DNAinfo.com reported:

    One person Pets Are Like Family
   helped recently is 72-year-old Jose
   Carrera, who had to leave his dog,
   Canela, with friends in Avondale
   when the public housing he was
   moving into required a $100 pet
   deposit and $50 extra per month to
   have Canela with him.

   Obando initially met with Carrera
   at his friends' apartment to bring
   food for Canela, as well as set up an
   appointment to have Canela spayed,
   vaccinated and microchipped--but
   Obando hopes she'll be able to do
   even more.
"I want to see if we can help him with some of those fees so the dog can live with him because that's what he wants," Obando said.