A One Health Clinic for People Experiencing Homelessness and Their Animals: Treating the Human-Animal Unit

We are undergraduates enrolled in a global primary care course and were very intrigued by the One Health Clinic model. The One Health Clinic model provides both primary care and veterinary care to individuals and their pets experiencing homelessness.  We were impressed with the emphasis on the continuity of care for both individuals and pets. Upon review of your findings, it was evident that individuals experiencing homelessness felt comfortable, given that about half of them decided to return for additional care. It is our opinion that the success of this model stems from prioritizing animals' health equal to that of the patient and developing a care plan for both animal and patient in tandem. We think it would be interesting to dive deeper into how the One Health Clinic team prioritized continuity of care. In other words, what factors made these patients feel so comfortable that they returned for additional care?
 
We noticed that the One Health Clinic model was made possible through its partnership with health practitioners from Neighborcare, health science students, and veterinary students. When looking at the care being provided, it raises a few questions regarding ongoing funding needs.  How will the One Health Clinic Model be sustained in the long term?
 
How are One Health Clinic staff trained to work collaboratively and how are they assigned to patients? We are curious as to how the organization ensures that the team provides comprehensive and coordinated care for human and animal patients. We are also interested in learning how you measure or assess health outcomes at the One Health Clinic. What metrics do you use to evaluate the impact of your services on the health and well-being of your patients, both human and animal? We are eager to learn more about your assessment methods and how you continually utilize data to improve the quality of care you provide. We appreciate any information you can provide regarding these questions. Thank you for your time and attention.