The experience of, "Shifting the Focus: Stories of Homelessness with our Animals"
"Shifting the focus" is a gallery that provides first-hand perspective on homeless pet ownership in the greater Seattle community. The gallery, located at UW's school of Social Work building, focuses on our community members struggling with homelessness and, most notably, how essential these bonds with their companions can be.
Alex Barson /
What began as a photo documentary project at the Center for One Health Research - part of the University of Washington's (UW) school of Public Health - "Shifting the Focus" has developed into a fully interactive and viewable gallery near UW's Seattle campus. The project began in 2014 with photographer Gemina Garland-Lewis, who had hoped to capture the relationships built between the homeless community of Seattle and most importantly their relationship with their pets. In this new installment, she has shifted direction and given the participants the opportunity to document their own lived experiences and share how life is with their beloved pets. This process is often referred to as "photovoice". [1]
In a conversation with Vickie about the specifics behind the creation of the Center for One Health Clinic, she informed me that it is not uncommon for pet owners struggling with homelessness to, "source veterinary care for their animals before searching for their own personal healthcare." The construction of a clinic for both veterinary and human health care has become more of a necessity following this discovery: especially considering that pets can be an invaluable resource to those dealing with homelessness as sources of both comfort and accountability.
The gallery is still available to the public until June 5, 2022, and is located on the second floor of the University of Washington's School of Social Work building on 15th street. Anyone hoping to make a contribution to the One Health Clinic - the integrated human-veterinary clinic for those experiencing homelessness with pets - and their associates can do so by clicking on the Donate to Research button or by going to the following URL:
http://giving.uw.edu/OneHealthClinic
Sources:
[1] Wang C, Burris MA. Photovoice: concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Educ Behav. 1997 Jun;24(3):369-87. doi: 10.1177/109019819702400309. PMID: 9158980.
[2] EXHIBIT: Shifting the Focus: Stories of Homelessness with Our Animals | UW Health Sciences Library (URL: https://hsl.uw.edu/exhibit-shifting-the-focus/)