News, Soup kitchen opens for dogs. (best, food, outside, free)

[JD59]

BERLIN (Reuters) - A soup kitchen exclusively for dogs has opened its doors in Berlin providing pets of the homeless and unemployed with a free meal, the director of the establishment said on Friday.

Despite the looming financial crisis, director Claudia Hollm dismissed criticism that it may be more sensible to collect money for humans than for dogs.

Soup kitchen opens for dogs | Oddly Enough | Reuters

[Amazonchix]

I agree with the statement of how important these pets are to their homeless/jobless owners in terms of companionship which boosts emotional and physical health.

I've worked with people who are mentally ill for all of my professional career. The people who were the most affected by their mental health disorders would typically only get out of their homes due to having a pet...which led to increased interactions with others. These people were incredibly socially isolated or lacked self-esteem or age appropriate social skills. More often than not this pet was the only friend or family they had. I wish more organizations saw the benefits of such a relationship.

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by Amazonchix

I agree with the statement of how important these pets are to their homeless/jobless owners in terms of companionship which boosts emotional and physical health.

I've worked with people who are mentally ill for all of my professional career. The people who were the most affected by their mental health disorders would typically only get out of their homes due to having a pet...which led to increased interactions with others. These people were incredibly socially isolated or lacked self-esteem or age appropriate social skills. More often than not this pet was the only friend or family they had. I wish more organizations saw the benefits of such a relationship.

Here, here. Animals are teachers, we are their caretakers. What a pitiful life we would have without them.

[riveree]

I totally agree with Amazonchix and SeeBee .

I wish such programs were common here in the US. When I lived in NYC, I would encounter plenty of homeless folks with dogs. If they were sitting outside the grocery store, they'd often tell me what kind of dog food their dog liked and I'd pick up a few cans and bring it out to them. Otherwise they are using whatever money they can scrounge up to buy the food for the dogs themselves. For many of them, their dogs were their world.

[Brittanyk25]

This story is bitter sweet! Sad that there isn't more help for homeless people/animals but sweet that they have such big hearts to continue to take care of something else like a dog. I think its a great idea to have a place where homeless people can bring their dogs in to eat. Animals bring out the best in people no matter what their situation is!