By: Liza Horn

Surrounded by the sound of barks, meows and woofs, Jeannie Peterson prepares to give an introduction to a group of eager volunteers.  Every other Sunday of the month, Peterson joins the volunteers of Pro-Bone-O in setting up a veterinarian clinic at the Eugene Mission’s warehouse for homeless people with pets.  “I believe these folks need and love their animals just as much as anybody else,” Peterson says as she explains the mission and history of the organization to the group of new volunteers.  Pro-Bone-O is a non-profit clinic that strives to help all animals receive medical care and attention, despite their owners’ low income. She explains the services they offer to pets of Eugene’s homeless community, such as free administration spays and neuters, flea treatments, donations of free cat or dog food and in some cases, one-on-one consultations with a professional veterinarian.  “What we say here is that our pets are not homeless, even if their owners are. The pets have a home with their owners and with us,” she concludes.

Peterson, now retired, had been involved in social work for years prior to her involvement with Pro-Bone-O.  It wasn’t until 1998 when she took her own dog to her veterinarian when she heard about a new organization her vet was creating to provide homeless people with free care for their pets.  It was at this visit to the vet in 1998, that Jeannie Peterson realized, “Oh my god.  I’ve always loved animals and have worked for animal causes before.  I’ve worked for homeless people before. I had a moment of, ‘Wow! This is for me!’”   Since then, she has been extremely committed to the organization and spreading the word about the clinic.  PBO is a nonprofit and is always seeking out donations of any kind. Peterson hopes people realize that homeless people care a great deal for their animals, despite the public opinion that the homeless should not have pets. After nearly two decades with Pro-Bone-O, Peterson still firmly believes in the importance and continuation of this clinic.  Although the services are only available twice a month, hundreds of pets are properly treated and cared for because of Peterson and her fellow volunteers.  After seeing the homeless interact and care for their pets, she says, “I know how much my pets mean to me and what they do for me in my life and I can see with our clients that their relationship with their pets are like me or any other person.  It’s their family and their protectors. In many cases, its their lifeline to sobriety or sanity, something to get up for.”