Housing Harmonies

#5 Furry friends and beloved animals

Welcome to Housing Harmonies, a webcast and network café inspired by musical harmony, where sounds come together to create something new, positive, pleasant. We aim to bring people in to harmonize with us, to share, to learn, and to collaborate.

Each episode draws from one or more conversations with people in the housing ecosystem. Through discussion and commentary, we bring a neuroinclusive lens to housing. After the release of an episode, we schedule and host a Network Café, inviting folx to come together and further discuss the topic of the episode.

Episode theme

In the “Community Care, Positive Relationships, and Social Connection” category of the Housing Through an Autism Lens blueprint, an important requirement for housing was the ability to have a pet. There are many benefits to having a pet, like companionship and reduced anxiety or stress. However, there can be barriers to having a pet such as insufficient space, building rules, or financial difficulties.

In this episode Margaret and Mike connected with Adrian to chat about how pets enrich his life and his home. We discuss some of the enablers and difficulties of having pets, and how thought and care must be put into being a pet owner. You will also hear Margaret and Mike chime in and ask questions in the video clips.

Living with pets

Adrian describes how having a pet impacts his life and his living space. He shares how pets make a big difference in reducing loneliness, particularly when one lives alone.

Video Transcript

Care for animals

Thought and care for pets is essential and can be a positive driver for both the pet and owner. Adrian shares his concerns for his cat’s anxiety and socialization needs.

Video Transcript

The importance of community supports

In addition to having a pet-friendly building, Adrian talks about his friends offering to help take care of his cat occasionally.

Video Transcript

Pets can be expensive

Adrian shares some of the costs with having a pet and how he has to manage his finances to make sure his cat stays healthy.

Video Transcript

We finished our conversation with Adrian offering advice for others considering having a pet.

Video Transcript

Network Café

Join us online on Thursday October 3rd from 1-2 pm ET to chat about pets and how they support Neurodivergent individuals in their home. Click on the Registration button to register for the event on Eventbrite.

Registration

During the Network Café, we invite attendees to take turns sharing experiences and solutions. We will use the following questions as a guide for our conversations:

1. Tell us about your pet.
2. How does having a pet improve your living space?
3. What would make pet ownership and care easier?

We would like to thank Adrian for taking his time to share his experiences with us.

We welcome suggestions for topics to discuss. Please connect with us through our online Contact page.

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