Work of SCAS
The work of SCAS is carried out by a small team based in Burford, Oxfordshire headed by the SCAS director and an active Board of Trustees. SCAS members also make a very important contribution, assisting with project work, training and conferences, and providing vital funding through membership subscriptions.
Information exchange
SCAS:
- produces a quarterly journal and other human-companion animal bond publications
- maintains a reference library of research findings and human-companion animal bond programmes and services
- hosts an annual conference or training seminar
- provides expert opinion on the bond to encourage positive pet policy and practice
Education and training
SCAS:
- delivers training on the human-companion animal bond to health, social care and veterinary professions
- provides expert speakers for national and international meetings and conferences
- provides information and expert advice to individuals and groups initiating animal-assisted therapy programmes
- works with human health and social care professionals and veterinary practitioners to share findings about the benefits of companion animals as preventative medicine and as therapy
- offers training in pet bereavement support
Research
SCAS:
- carries our research into the effects of pet ownership and interaction on different groups in society
- offers an annual research scholarship
Helping vulnerable groups in society
SCAS is aware of the many benefits of pet ownership particularly for vulnerable or marginalised groups in society. In recent years, our work has focused on areas such as:
- encouraging sheltered housing and residential care homes for older people to adopt pro-pets policies
- highlighting the benefits of pets for children's health and education
- advising on animal-assisted therapy programmes and training
- supporting people who have lost a much-loved pet
SCAS members have been able to develop model programmes to help these vulnerable groups. This work is extremely valuable.
Please see Current projects for further details of the work we are currently undertaking.