Dr. Krista Foreman is a veterinarian at South Paw Animal Hospital in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Dr. Foreman enjoys surgery, especially soft tissue and orthopedic. She co-chairs the provincial Safe for Pets Too program which arranges veterinary care and temporary fostering for animals belonging to women escaping domestic violence.
InfoStream (IS): The pet experience is clearly very important to you. Tell us about how this came to be.
Dr. Krista Foreman (KF): I have been an animal lover my entire life. Through support of my family I was able to grow up with dogs, cats and horses. I followed my dream and became a veterinarian. I couldn't imagine being in a situation of having to choose between my safety and my pets. Now as a mother of three girls I appreciate how much harder it would be to adjust in any situation if we were to lose our pets.
IS: Tell us about the Safe for Pets Too program. What should we know about it?
KF: This program helps to remove a barrier for a woman seeking to escape domestic violence. Some women will delay leaving, or not leave, if they can't ensure the safety of their pets. We provide veterinary care and fostering for pets while their owner is in a transition house until they find a safe place to live.
IS: What are the most critical problems faced by New Brunswick pet owners in an abusive situation?
KF: Most of the transition houses are unable to accommodate pets and it can be difficult to ask friends to take pets as it can put them in a bad situation. Once the woman has left the situation it can also be difficult to find pet friendly affordable
housing.
IS: How were these problems handled before Safe for Pets Too?
KF: It was not addressed in any official manner. Good hearted staff at some of the houses would keep pets occasionally.
IS: Safe for Pets Too is supported by several large organizations including the New Brunswick SPCA, New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association, police, New Brunswick Chiefs of Police Association, New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick. How was cooperation and support created across so many organizations?
KF: The timing was perfect when we looked at starting this program. A meeting had been arranged by the Public Legal Education System to bring together groups that had an interest in learning about the link between domestic violence, animal abuse, firearms and alcohol. A committee was formed from that meeting.
IS: How is the program funded?
KF: The New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association covered our legal cost to get
started. The association also donated $5000 to help us to get underway. Veterinary
examinations, vaccinations and deworming are provided complimentary by participating veterinarians and any other medical costs are billed to us, although usually at a discounted rate.
We have received several other smaller donations including a recent one of $500 from the George Street Middle School grade 6 Entrepreneurial Club.
IS: Is there an experience that helped you see the importance of the Safe for Pets Too program? What in your history has taken you to where you are now?
KF: I have fortunately not been in the situation of seeking refuge from violence. I see on a daily basis in my work how important pets are too people. Hurricane Katrina further demonstrated this as people clung to rooftops resisting being rescued because they had to leave their pets behind. When a person loves someone, be it human or animal, they may put their love for the person or pet above their own safety.
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