This is Shocking, and Cannot be Allowed, Foreigners come here, not to Rule, or Treat our Elderly, Who built up this Country, with No Respect, we are Irish, we Love our Dogs, Cats, and the rest.

Keira Connolly

@keira_con

I had a bizarre message from a person this morning which at first I found it had to believe, but I investigated the claim and I have now found it out to be true. It seems that some elderly who have home help provided by the HSE had to give up their pets, primarily dogs because some of the home help providers primarily non Irish will not go into a house with a dog as it offends them. We have all heard of comfort pets, or companion pets, also known as an emotional support animal (ESA) which can provide comfort, companionship, and therapeutic benefits for a person facing an emotional or mental health challenge, such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, chronic stress, ADHD, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ESAs are usually dogs. It seems that I am not the only one who has looked into this It seems according to Aontú Councillor Sarah Beasley, a candidate for Limerick City in the General Election and well known and long-standing animal rights advocate wrote about the same situation in Limerick and surrounding areas.

This is an evolving story. If you or anyone you know have been affected by this, please DM me She said “This issue has been highlighted by a branch of SPCA Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has naturally left vulnerable individuals heartbroken. It is beyond my understanding how anybody could dictate to elderly people or anybody, for that matter, that they should give up their animals”. “Pets are part of the family, especially so for many elderly people who rely on them for companionship and emotional support, particularly those who live alone and face daily isolation. Equally, dogs, in particular, are a great source of security for people and this has a very important psychological impact for elderly people who feel secure knowing their dog are there and will alert them to any potential unwelcome visitors “. “Potentially having to give up their pets would  strip elderly individuals of a vital source of comfort and connection and  exacerbates loneliness and mental health challenges”. “It would also undermine their dignity, their autonomy and their basic human rights”. “We know that loneliness particularly amongst elderly people is growing, and it is absolutely unthinkable and infuriating that they should be forced to give up their pets if external care workers say they are uncomfortable in their presence”. “I totally believe in the dignity of workers, and the workplace should be safe and conflict free for people, but in these instances, the family pets could be put into another room while the care worker is present. We know that care visits don’t last too long, so this is an entirely sensible and reasonable solution”. “The HSE must urgently investigate these practices to ensure elderly people receive care that respects their emotional and psychological needs rather than creating further unnecessary hardship and pain for them” “If indeed the HSE does find widespread evidence of this, then an investigation should be launched to determine whether this constitutes a breach of civil or human rights. I am absolutely appalled to think of anybody ever being forced to give up their beloved pets.”