POP (Pet Owner and Pet) Care

POP Care assembles teams of nursing, veterinary, and social work students to care for older adults with chronic conditions—and their pets. Led by a nurse practitioner, a veterinarian, and faculty from the college of social work, this interprofessional team focuses on treating underserved patients and their animal companions.  

The interprofessional teams assess pet owners and their pets and treat their health as one unit—reliant on one another for happiness and health. In partnership with the Total Health and Wellness Clinic and the Veterinary Medicine Outreach Program, learners and educators engage in a multifaceted, team-based model of care that shows that optimizing well-being can take many forms.