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116 maconmagazine.com | April/May 2024 THE GUATEMALAN CONNECTION In 2014 Janet trekked to Guatemala for a month to work at a clinic and take Spanish lessons. While there she reasoned that the One Health approach had applicability for the Central American republic. She returned to Guatemala in 2019, but the pandemic forced the cancellation of subsequent trips. Back on track, Janet and a team of volunteers head to Antigua, Guatemala June 24-28 to restart One Health clinics. A veterinary lead from the Atlanta Humane Society will be in tow to spay and neuter dogs and cats. Openings remain for general volunteers and medical and veterinary professionals. The discounted price is $1,195, which includes lodging, transfers, most meals, and travel in Guatemala. Volunteers pay their own airfare. Janet says People and Pets is fortunate to partner with Heart of Travel, a female-owned agency that provides invaluable "in country" knowledge and expertise. "They're vital to the planning and execution of our trips. I couldn't pull this off without them." AFFORDING A PET "For many people, especially in underserved communities, a pet is a lifeline," Janet asserts. "Socioeconomic status shouldn't determine whether or not you have a pet, and often, a pet is all that a person has. You can't put a price on love." Circumstances vary in these situations. Janet contends, "Sometimes the pet is a stray they've taken in to prevent it from starving and don't want to bring it to a shelter where it risks being euthanized. Or the shelter is full. Macon lacks the resources to address the companion animal overpopulation problem, so PPP fills a need. The care we provide helps people deal with the daily stress of their lives while we use their pets as a means of screening them." People and Pets has always existed through donations, and in 2024 it received a generous grant from the Atrium Navicent Health Foundation. Janet is grateful for the support and says, "To my knowledge, it's the first grant that encompasses veterinary care and human health endeavors, which is exciting." Janet Hendrickson calls PPP "a vehicle matching my skill set and passion that helps people who need it. I'm proud we're in the community on a regular basis." The nonprofit's creative spark is trumpeted in its aspirational vision statement: "People & Pets envisions a world where the health of people is optimized through the health of the pets they love. No one should have to choose between healthcare for their best friend and themselves." Email info@peoplepets.org or message PPP on its Facebook page to donate or find more information. P E O P L E & P E T S C O L L A B O R AT I O N S & P A R T N E R S H I P S Mercer University School of Medical • Habitat for Humanity • Macon-Bibb County Health Department • Macon Health Matters • Atlanta Humane Society • PAWS Humane Society in Columbus A R E A H U M A N H E A LT H C A R E R E S O U R C E S Community Health Care Systems, 250 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (478) 301-4500 • First Choice Primary, 400 Poplar Street, (478) 216-6443; 2525 Second Street, (478) 781-2992; 171 Emery Highway, (478) 238-5665 • Macon Volunteer Clinic, 376 Rogers Avenue, (478) 755-1110. D O N AT I O N S & V O L U N T E E R S People and Pets always needs volunteers with medical, nursing, or veterinary background and community volunteers to help with registration and other general duties at the clinics. and progress to be made. "We want to present at conferences to enlighten human healthcare professionals about the clinical One Health concept. We can put together toolkits and help other communities implement a program like ours, which is our long-term goal." 2024 is the year that People and Pets will glean definitive information about the effects and benefits of dual healthcare through a joint study with Mercer University and University of California, Davis, analyzing the data received from surveys PPP participants complete at the end of their visit. LEFT Health screenings at PPP clinics are a straightforward process enacted with efficiency and compassion.