With the modernization of the U.S. society, the concept of the extended family and close community and all of the related benefits such as, supportive care, nurturing, companionship, and development of a sense of responsibility are disappearing. This coupled with the costs of long term care and general health care in today’s society makes it important that systems and communities promote self-efficacy and cost efficiency in healthcare allowing individuals to be supported and remain productive in communities of their choosing

The Human-Animal Bond, Inc. is a West Virginia based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 2002 whose mission is to train, educate, and conduct research in the area of the human-animal bond with the outcome of improving both human and animal conditions. The officers and Board of Directors of the non-profit provide a broad base of expertise to the program with members from the fields of education, disabilities, mental health, health care policy, law, business, medicine, social work, gerontology, and veterinary medicine. In the initial program of the non-profit, social workers worked with At-Risk teens at an Alternative Learning Center facilitating both service dog training and behavioral modification for the teens by providing a positive re-enforcement model of nurturing and responsibility. However, the long term goal of the organization is to expand its mission and to establish a model, all-inclusive community with special emphasis on elders, adolescents previously in foster care and individuals with disabilities. Based on need, WV is an ideal location for the initiation of such a project. WV has the oldest population of any state (30% are 65 or older), ranks among the highest in the percentage of residents with disabilities (24.5%) and obesity (greater than 30%) and 24.3% of its children live in poverty. WV’s rural location enhances isolation and limits accessibility to health care.

The foundation of the project is a universally designed community with residences, activities, formal and informal services and supports that nurture members across the life-span. Core components of the community include 1) home and community-based services and supports, 2) Best Friends for Life Companion Animal Institute, 3) a Montessori school, 4) after-school programs and camps, 5)Arts for Humanities’ Sake, 6) Living Well Program-providing nutrition, exercise, spiritual, and life-long educational opportunities

The project will be designed and created in strong partnership with West Virginia University (WVU) providing educational training, research, and service opportunities for students and faculty. Community service opportunities will be coordinated through the University Center for Civic Engagement. Students in the Department of Landscape Architecture and School of Engineering are planning the community design including buildings and grounds (lake, gardens, greenhouse, and trails). Interior Design students are developing innovative accessible residences and buildings. Partnerships with the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, the Center on Aging and Departments of Allied Health fields, Social Work and Psychology will allow students to help develop and become familiar with promising and best practices that encourage them to think outside the traditional medical model in providing services and supports.

The core programs will be interconnected to foster inter-generational experiences and self-directed home-based supports for community members. The Best Friends for Life Companion Animal Institute will be an extension of the on-going work of the Human-Animal Bond, Inc. Community members will have the opportunity to foster pups in their homes and participate in service dog training. The dogs will provide personal assistance to elders and individuals with disabilities, and will help adolescents develop parenting skills, a sense of responsibility, and enhance their self-esteem. The animals will provide companionship and facilitate interactions between individuals of all ages. Students in the Departments of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, and the Center on Aging will have the opportunity to expand, enhance, and evaluate the assistant dog training program through courses and research projects facilitated by project staff. A Montessori school/day care on the grounds of the community will provide much needed day care for the area as well as provide children with strong foundations in nutrition and exercise and instill in them an appreciation and respect for elders, persons with disabilities, animals and the environment. The school will help to facilitate interactions with the outside community and provide residents with purpose as they help mentor and nurture the children. After-school programs and camps will focus on healthy living with the goal of improving nutrition, increasing exercise, reducing risk-taking behaviors and increasing self-esteem. Students in the Departments of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (including Nutrition), Exercise Physiology, Physical Education, Psychology, Social Work, Education and the Center on Aging will provide expertise and support for these programs. In collaboration with staff from the Center on Excellence in Disabilities at WVU, Art’s for Humanities Sake, a program that identifies and fosters talents in persons with disabilities, will expand with activities for any interested community member. Artists, including those with disabilities will have studios within the community, provide art therapy and instruction and sell their works in the Community Center gallery and gift shop. Components of the Living Well Program will be incorporated into every aspect of the community. Partnerships with other organizations that support the community principles will be fostered. In addition to publications and presentations, collaboration with the Elderhostel program and Appalachian Lifelong Learners will provide a mechanism for sharing research outcomes and lessons learned in the program.

The expected outcomes of this project are not only to provide community, self-directed supports to individuals of Appalachia but the more far-reaching impact of stimulating creative thinking and attitudinal changes in individuals training in the areas of health and allied health care, social sciences, animal sciences, and community and interior design. The integration of elders, adolescents and individuals with disabilities into on-going community activities allows for the development of interdependence promoting a sense of purpose, belonging, and responsibility and thus improving the quality of life of all those involved. The development of evidence-based best practices promoting self-efficacy and cost efficiency in healthcare will allow individuals to be supported and remain productive in communities of their choosing. Although broad in scope, it is the integration of the many facets of this program with the strengths of each group providing supports for others that make it unique. This approach will not only provide a more purposeful life for those individuals who are often supported or "cared for", but is also expected to improve the quality of life and reduce the cost of care for all. The core principles and activities of this demonstration project can readily be replicated in other communities and project staff will be willing to consult in the development of similar programs across the U.S.